Where GORE-TEX Meets Wabi-Sabi: A Field-Tested Love Letter to the Snow Peak x Merrell Moab Speed 2 GTX.

Amidst a flood of gimmicky collabs and retina-searing trailwear made more for selfies than switchbacks, the Snow Peak x Merrell Moab Speed 2 GTX steps in with quiet conviction. It’s not engineered for clout - it’s engineered for ascent, whether that means conquering peaks or simply outlasting passing trends.

What happens when an American boot legend and a Japanese camping cult walk into the same forest?

This collaboration isn’t a gimmick. It’s a dialogue - between two brands steeped in performance, precision, and a deep respect for the outdoors. On one side, you have Merrell, the American trail titan whose Moab line ("Mother of All Boots") has been a staple of thru-hikers, backcountry purists, and off-duty park rangers for nearly two decades. On the other, Snow Peak, the cult Japanese outfitter whose minimal, titanium-forward aesthetic has quietly redefined what camping looks - and feels - like.

The result? A hiking shoe that doesn’t just work in the wild; it actually belongs there. But it also wouldn’t look out of place under a pair of wide-legged wool trousers in Shibuya or at a warehouse opening in Brooklyn. This is the kind of functional luxury that doesn’t demand attention, but rewards those who notice.

Let’s unpack the details.

The Moab Speed 2 silhouette has been reinterpreted through Snow Peak’s lens - meaning gone are the garish colorways and heavy-handed branding. Instead, we get a considered tonal palette inspired by volcanic ash, earth, and riverbed stones. The ripstop nylon upper is both featherlight and hardwearing, while TPU overlays provide structure without bulk. GORE-TEX® lining ensures full waterproofing with breathability that makes sweaty descents a thing of the past.

Grip like a goat, float like a monk.

Underfoot, it’s all business: Vibram TC5+ outsoles provide multi-directional traction across mud, rock, and urban sprawl. Merrell’s FloatPro™ foam - a proprietary EVA blend - delivers all-day cushioning with surprising energy return. A FlexPlate™ torsional shank lends stability for lateral movement, making the shoe as adept at scrambling as it is at sidestepping puddles on city sidewalks.

Then there’s the packaging. The co-branded drawstring bag, a nod to Snow Peak’s reverence for ceremony, isn’t just packaging - it’s a quiet luxury. Something you might fold and reuse, in the same way Snow Peak fans treasure their titanium chopsticks or foldaway lanterns. It’s all part of the brand’s philosophy of reconnecting people to nature through objects that last - and are lovely while they do so.

And that’s the underlying current here: this isn’t just a shoe. It’s a wearable expression of takumi - Japanese artisan spirit - meeting American pragmatism. It’s for people who believe a product can be both technically advanced and emotionally resonant.

While fashion’s latest fling with gorp-core churns out performance gear for people who’ve never pitched a tent, Snow Peak and Merrell politely excuse themselves from the pantomime. This isn’t wilderness cosplay - it’s the real deal, stitched and treaded. The Moab Speed 2 GTX doesn’t chase trends or algorithms. It’s too busy chasing elevation. And maybe, just maybe, giving you that rare trail-side moment where your boots don’t beg for mercy, and you remember why you left the city in the first place.

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Words by AW.

Photos courtesy of Snow Peak.