Quick verdict
The Merrell Speed Strike 2 GORE-TEX is a 330g low-cut waterproof hiking shoe built for fast, light days on British trails. It pairs a GORE-TEX membrane with a waterproof synthetic leather and ripstop upper, a lightweight EVA midsole and a sticky Merrell rubber outsole with moderate lugs that bite on wet chalk, mud and downland grass. The athletic, close fit suits fast hikers and day-walkers who want a shoe that moves like a trainer but keeps water out on soft, wet ground, up to the point where the low collar lets it in over deep bog.
Merrell Speed Strike 2 GORE-TEX: 4.6/5
A 330g waterproof shoe with a GORE-TEX membrane, sticky Merrell rubber outsole and an agile, trainer-like fit for fast days on wet UK trails.
The full review is below.
The Merrell Speed Strike 2 GORE-TEX is what I reach for when a walk is more about pace than distance. It is a low-cut waterproof shoe that weighs around 330g, sits closer to a trail runner than a traditional hiker, and is aimed squarely at people who want to move fast over wet British ground without stopping to think about their feet. If you like the idea of a trainer that keeps water out but still feels quick underfoot, this is the category it lives in.
At £95 it slots into the busy middle of the waterproof trainers market, up against a lot of capable shoes. What sets the Speed Strike 2 apart is how light and agile it feels for a GORE-TEX shoe, and how well the outsole reads wet, awkward ground. It is not a load-carrying boot substitute, and it does not pretend to be.
Who the Speed Strike 2 is for
This is a fast-hiking and day-walking shoe. If your typical outing is a 10 to 20km loop over coast path, downland, forest track and the odd muddy field, the Speed Strike 2 fits that brief well. The low weight means your legs stay fresher over a long day, and the athletic fit lets you pick up the pace on firm ground without the shoe fighting you.
It also makes a strong everyday waterproof shoe. The synthetic leather and ripstop upper looks tidy enough for town, so it doubles as the shoe you wear to the shops and then straight onto the South West Coast Path at the weekend.
Who should look elsewhere? Anyone carrying a heavy multi-day pack, or anyone who wants ankle support over rough, rock-strewn ground. A low-cut shoe like this gives you freedom of movement in exchange for support, and that is the right trade for fast days but the wrong one for a loaded fell traverse. If you want something with more structure, the best waterproof trainers roundup covers stiffer, more supportive options too.
Waterproofing: a real GORE-TEX shoe with a low-cut limit
The Speed Strike 2 uses a GORE-TEX membrane behind a waterproof synthetic leather and ripstop upper. That is the combination you want in the UK. GORE-TEX keeps liquid water out while still letting sweat vapour escape, so your feet stay dry from the outside and do not cook from the inside on a warm, brisk walk.
On wet grass, drizzle, puddles, splashy tracks and the constant damp of a British winter, the membrane does its job. I have taken shoes like this across soaked chalk downland and dew-heavy morning coast path and come back with dry socks every time. Wet British half of the year is exactly what this membrane is built for.
The honest limit is height, not the membrane. This is a low-cut shoe, so the moment water rises above the collar, over a deep bog, a stream crossing, or a flooded rut, it comes straight in and the GORE-TEX then holds it there. That is true of every waterproof trainer, not a fault of this one. For soft, wet, ankle-deep-at-most ground, it is ideal. For genuine bog trotting you want a mid or a boot.
Grip and outsole
The outsole is Merrell's own sticky rubber compound with a moderate lug pattern, and it is one of the better parts of the shoe. On wet chalk, which is the surface that catches most people out on the South Downs and the Jurassic Coast, the rubber holds far better than the hard-wearing but skittish compounds you get on cheaper shoes. Wet limestone and greasy tree roots are handled with confidence.
The lugs are deep enough to bite into mud and soft downland turf without being so aggressive that they clatter on tarmac or hard-packed track. That balance is deliberate. This is a shoe designed to transition between surfaces at speed, so it grips soft ground reasonably well and still rolls smoothly on the road sections that link everything together.
Where it reaches its limit is thick, claggy winter mud and very steep wet grass. The moderate lug depth clogs and slips there in a way a dedicated aggressive trail sole would not. For most UK mixed-terrain days it is more than enough, but if your local ground is deep clay you will notice.
Cushioning and fit
Underfoot you get a lightweight EVA midsole with a removable EVA footbed. The cushioning is moderate and responsive rather than plush and soft. It takes the sting out of hard tracks and long road links without feeling vague or disconnected from the ground, which suits the fast-hiking brief. You feel the trail, which is what you want when you are moving quickly and need to read the surface.
The fit is athletic and secure. It holds the midfoot and heel closely, so there is no internal slop when you push the pace or come down a slope at speed. Merrell shoes tend to run true to size with a medium-width fit, and this one follows that pattern. If you have wide feet, size and try before you commit, because the snug hold that makes it feel fast can pinch a broad forefoot.
The toe cap and heel counter add just enough protection to shrug off trail knocks without adding bulk. It is a light shoe that still feels protective, and that combination is harder to get right than it sounds.
Colours
Buy the Merrell Speed Strike 2 GORE-TEX (Black) at Tiso
Specs at a glance
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Membrane | GORE-TEX waterproof and breathable |
| Upper | Waterproof synthetic leather and ripstop |
| Outsole | Merrell sticky rubber, moderate lugs |
| Midsole | Lightweight EVA foam, removable EVA footbed |
| Weight | Around 330g (men's, per shoe) |
| Cut | Low |
| Price | £95.00 |
| Best for | Lightweight and fast day walking |
Pros and cons
- Light at around 330g, so legs stay fresh over long days
- Full GORE-TEX membrane keeps water out on wet UK ground
- Sticky Merrell rubber grips wet chalk and roots well
- Athletic, secure fit that moves fast without internal slop
- Tidy enough to double as an everyday waterproof shoe
- Low cut lets water in over deep bog or stream crossings
- Moderate lugs clog in thick winter clay
- Snug forefoot may pinch wide feet
- Not enough support for heavy multi-day loads
Verdict
The Merrell Speed Strike 2 GORE-TEX earns 4.6 out of 5. It does exactly what a fast, light waterproof shoe should do: it keeps your feet dry on soft wet British ground, grips wet chalk and mud with confidence, and stays out of your way when you want to move. The low weight and agile fit are the headline, and the GORE-TEX membrane means you are not trading dry feet for speed.
Buy it if you are a fast day-walker who wants a shoe that feels like a trainer but survives a wet UK winter. Look elsewhere if you carry a heavy pack, need ankle support, or spend your time in deep bog where a low collar will always let you down. For the fast-and-light hiker at £95, it is an easy shoe to recommend, and it stacks up well against the Salomon Aero Blaze 4 GRVL GTX and Mammut Aenergy Hike Low GTX in the same class.
Buy the Merrell Speed Strike 2 GORE-TEX at Tiso Or the Merrell Speed Strike 2 GORE-TEX on Amazon
