I tested the Arc’teryx Vertix Speed – a shoe for steep, stony trails
29.4.2025
Translation: Katherine Martin
Pictures: Siri Schubert
Arc’teryx has surprised me. Its new Vertex Speed trail running shoe is lightweight, provides good grip and protects your feet on steep trails. This proves that the brand can do more than just make stylish outdoor clothing.
Canadian brand Arc’teryx is well known for functional clothing appreciated by outdoor enthusiasts and fashionistas alike. It’s not quite as famous for trail running and speed hiking shoes. However, that might be about to change. Having launched the Vertex Speed in April 2025, Arc’teryx has demonstrated it has a serious vision for trail running shoes. More specifically, ones suited to steep, technical terrain.
First impressions: lightweight, with unusual details
When I take the Vertex Speed out of the box, I’m pleasantly surprised by how lightweight it is. I’d imagined such a robust-looking shoe to be heavier. However, tipping the scales at just 208 grammes (women’s size 40), it’s really light for a high-cut trail running shoe.
The upper almost feels like the fabric used to make backpacks – thin, but durable and abrasion-resistant. Tiny little holes in the fabric signal that the material (Matryx) is breathable. Out on a run later, that impression is confirmed. Between the sole and upper, the shoe’s enclosed by another protective layer of soft plastic (TPU). This protects your feet from stones, branches and any sharp objects out on the trail.
I really like the raised, soft, knit collar. Like a gaiter, it’s supposed to keep stones and other debris out of your shoes. Another plus is the lace garage, which stops your shoelaces getting caught on undergrowth or other obstacles.
The cut is more tailored than I’m used to from other trail running shoes. I initially thought getting my feet into them would be quite a squeeze, but I was wrong. The toe box is wide enough, and the midfoot is the ideal shape for my high insteps. A horseshoe-shaped foam section at the heel prevents the shoe from moving up and down too much, reducing chafing. Just a few steps into my run, I notice it’s really comfortable to wear.
An eye-catching aspect of the shoe is the edgy-looking block on the heel. It gives the shoe a geometric appearance, and is supposed to make it easier to slow down on trails with loose surfaces. I’m curiousto find out if it really works.
Hitting the trails
It’s worth mentioning that this shoe isn’t designed for day-to-day training on gentle paths through forests or fields. Instead, it’s made for running and speed hiking on steep, rocky terrain. This considered, I test the shoe on the trails winding around Fuerteventura’s extinct volcanoes. With their steep inclines and loose rocks, these paths are technically demanding.
This is where the Vertex Speed really has a chance to shine. The midsole, which is made of dual-density foam (foam that’s harder at the forefoot and softer at the midfoot and heel), performs very well.
The varying degrees of density in the midsole give you a good feel for the ground. At the same time, you have enough cushioning at the heel. That’s the case for me, anyway. Let’s face it, with a height of 16 millimetres in the forefoot and 23 millimetres in the heel, the manufacturer hasn’t exactly gone overboard on the cushioning. I like that because it means I still have a good feel for the ground. However, if you’re looking for more cushioned shoes in the style of Hoka or similar brands, you probably won’t be keen on the Vertex Speed.
By contrast, the shoe’s seven-millimetre drop is borderline for me. I tend to prefer less drop, especially on downhill stretches.
The base and integrated gaiter tick my boxes
Another feature tailored to steep, stony paths are the different zones on the base of the shoe. The Vibram Megagrip outsole has lugs in different shapes and sizes. The ones at the forefoot are wider to give you better grip on rocky surfaces. Meanwhile, the ones further back are shaped to support you on loose ground. When I try out the shoes, the feature impresses me. I feel sure-footed, and my steps are controlled. The shoe is super responsive, making tight zigzag turns with ease.
When running on loose ground, I’m pleased to have the built-in knit gaiters. If I’d been wearing other shoes, I definitely would’ve needed to stop multiple times to fish out little stones that had snuck their way in.
As an added bonus, the shoes were quieter and more comfortable than other trail running shoes when I was jogging on the asphalt path back to my vacation rental. This despite the fact they’re not actually designed for asphalt. Nevertheless, I should stress that the Arcteryx Vertex Speed isn’t an all-round shoe – it’s optimised for mountain running.
In a nutshell
The Vertex Speed impresses with well thought-out features
The Arc’teryx Vertex Speed is designed completely with steep, stony terrain in mind. Instead of having to make trade-offs, you get details such as an angular cut outsole and differently shaped lugs. Since the shoes are tailored to the terrain, I hardly notice them during my run. They feel nice and secure to move around in. The grip, weight and level of contact with the ground are just right for me. I’d recommend the Arc’teryx Vertex Speed for challenging runs on hilly ground. The shoe’s also available in yellow, a yellow and black combination and in a lower cut version. It’s remarkable that Arc’teryx has released such a specialist, well-performing running shoe in just the second generation of its trail running and speed hiking shoe range.
Pro
- Outsole perfectly adapted to steep terrain
- Midsole is made of foam varying in hardness, providing a good combination of cushioning and feel for the ground
- Good fit, with a tailored cut
- Lightweight yet robust
- Abrasion-resistant upper
- Integrated gaiter keeps out stray stones
- Lace garage prevents laces from getting caught on objects
Header image: Siri Schubert
Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.
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