Merrell Speedarc Matis GTX J038355 Gore-Tex Waterproof Trainers Men's Navy Night

The Merrell Speedarc Matis GTX J038355 are waterproof Gore-Tex trainers for men in Navy Night, with technical mesh, a lugged rubber sole and quick lacing, designed for walking, travelling and easy hikes in any weather.

Technical Specifications

Overview: a technical trainer for everyday life

The Merrell Speedarc Matis GTX J038355 is a men's trainer for anyone who wants the look and light weight of a trail-running shoe together with a level of weather protection that most urban trainers simply do not offer. Its Gore-Tex membrane keeps rain and puddles out while letting the moisture your foot produces escape, so the inside stays dry on long days.

The result is a genuinely mixed-use shoe: sporty enough to walk briskly, clean enough in its lines to wear every day. It is not a high-mountain boot and it is not a smart shoe; it sits in the middle ground where most people spend most of the year, between the city, the park, the country lane and the weekend walk.

Design and style: flowing lines, controlled contrast

The design draws on trail running: a low profile, a slightly raised toe, overlays that sweep along the sides in arcs, and a generous sole with a pronounced tread. The whole shoe suggests movement even when standing still, and avoids the heavy look of traditional hiking boots.

The Navy Night colourway pairs a deep navy mesh with black at the toe and heel and small burgundy touches on the heel loop and the midsole line. It is a discreet contrast that works with casual outfits and hides dirt far better than pale shades. The dark grey sole reinforces the impression of a serious, durable trainer.

Materials and finish

The outer combines technical textile mesh, which gives ventilation and flexibility, with heat-bonded synthetic overlays at the toe, heel and sides. This mix cuts weight compared with an all-leather build and helps the shoe dry out when the outside gets wet.

Beneath the outer sits the Gore-Tex membrane, a waterproof and breathable barrier. The interior is soft textile with no awkward seams in the areas that rub. The outsole is rubber with multidirectional lugs, and the midsole is lightweight foam on a high platform, designed to absorb impact.

Everyday comfort

Comfort in this trainer comes down to three things: the cushioning of the midsole, the hold of the lacing and the overall lightness. The foam platform spreads the heel strike as you walk, which you notice after several hours on your feet or on long stretches of hard pavement.

The elastic lace with a cord lock lets you adjust the fit without untying knots, and the laces do not work loose with movement. The padded tongue protects the instep and the ankle area is held without pressure, which matters when walking downhill or switching between surfaces.

Technology: Gore-Tex and a lugged sole

Gore-Tex is a membrane with microscopic pores: far too small for a water droplet to pass through, yet large enough for perspiration vapour to escape. In practice that means dry feet when you step in a puddle or walk in the rain, without the plastic-bag feeling of other waterproof solutions.

The multidirectional rubber lugs give traction when pushing off, braking and changing direction. The pattern is designed to clear mud and water from the channels, and the rubber keeps reasonable grip on wet pavement. It does not replace a high-mountain sole on technical terrain, but it comfortably covers tracks, paths and city streets.

Where and when to wear them

These are for long walks, travel days with a lot of walking, easy hikes on paths and tracks, outdoor work on foot and every rainy day when you would rather not change shoes. In autumn and winter, with a medium or thick sock, they are especially useful because the membrane adds protection against damp and wind.

They are not intended for competitive running or technical high-mountain terrain in deep snow. For those uses a dedicated trail shoe or a high-cut boot with ankle support is a better choice. For everything else, this is a very sensible purchase.

How to style them

With dark straight or slim jeans the navy of the trainer blends in and the burgundy details add a touch of colour. With technical or cargo trousers it reinforces the outdoor look. With beige or grey chinos it makes a tidy casual outfit that also works for a relaxed office.

On top, light jackets, fleeces, parkas and roll-neck jumpers all work well. For a complete wet-weather outfit, pair these trainers with waterproof trousers and a hooded jacket.

What we think at Calzados Vesga

After trying the model and comparing it with other options in our range, our verdict is clear: it is one of the best-balanced choices for anyone who wants a waterproof trainer that does not look like a boot. The mix of lightness, protection and looks is very well resolved, and the quick lacing is a detail you appreciate from day one.

It shines in mixed use. If your routine takes in city streets, trains, walks and the odd hike, you will struggle to find a trainer with a better spread of qualities in this range.

Size guide

The model is offered in EU sizes 41.5, 42, 43, 44 and 45. The fit is regular, with medium volume in the forefoot and a good hold at the heel. If you are between two sizes, choose the larger, especially if you will wear thick technical socks or have a wide foot or a high instep.

As a rough UK guide, EU 42 is about UK 8, EU 43 about UK 9 and EU 44 about UK 9.5, but conversions vary between brands, so check against the Merrell size chart. To confirm your size, measure your foot standing, with the heel against a wall, from heel to longest toe, and add 5 to 10 mm of room.

Care and maintenance

To keep the trainer looking good and protecting well, brush off mud with a soft brush once it has dried, without scrubbing the membrane. If you need to wash it, use lukewarm water, a cloth or brush and a mild soap; avoid washing machines, tumble dryers, radiators and direct heat, which damage the bonding and the foams.

Let them dry at room temperature with the tongue open and the insoles out if they are removable. If you wear them daily, alternate two pairs so each gets 24 hours to dry. Good care noticeably extends the life of the membrane and the sole.

Before you decide

They may not suit you if you want a high-cut boot for deep snow or an ultralight racing shoe with a plate. They are also not ideal for intense summer heat, since any waterproof membrane reduces ventilation somewhat compared with open mesh.

They will suit you perfectly if you want a waterproof men's trainer that looks sporty, is light and is comfortable for daily wear and easy hikes. Compared with similar options, they stand out for combining Gore-Tex, a cushioned platform and quick lacing in a single pair.

If you are looking for something different

If you prefer a more urban style without a membrane, browse the men's low-top trainers in our range. If maximum protection from water in other formats is what you need, see our selection of men's Gore-Tex shoes. And to see what has just arrived, visit new arrivals.

Frequently asked questions

Do these run small?

No, they fit true to size. Order your usual size and go up half a size only if you wear thick socks, have a wide foot or a high instep.

Are they comfortable all day?

Yes. The foam platform absorbs impact, the lacing holds without pressure and the weight is kept low, so they stay comfortable on long days on your feet or walking.

Can I wear them in the rain?

Yes. The Gore-Tex membrane is waterproof and keeps water out in rain and puddles. They are not designed to be submerged above the height of the shoe.

Are they good for hiking?

Yes, for easy routes on tracks and paths. For technical high-mountain terrain a high-cut boot is a better choice.

How do I clean them?

Use a soft brush, lukewarm water and mild soap. Do not use a washing machine or tumble dryer, and let them dry at room temperature.

What size should I order if I have wide feet?

Go up half a size from your usual number. That adds forefoot volume without losing hold at the heel.

Are they breathable even though they are waterproof?

Yes. Gore-Tex lets perspiration vapour escape, which reduces internal dampness compared with a conventional waterproof.

Why buy from Calzados Vesga

Calzados Vesga is a family shoe shop on the main square of Burgos, northern Spain, with decades of experience behind the counter. We select the models we have tried and recommend rather than filling the catalogue with everything that exists, and we know each product well enough to tell you whether it is right for you.

We check every pair before dispatch, and if you have questions about size or use, we are here before and after your purchase.

Are these the right shoe for you?

Yes, if you want waterproof, light and sporty trainers for everyday wear and easy hikes. Perhaps not, if you prefer a high boot for snow or a racing shoe without a membrane.

In closing

If you have any doubts about size or use, write to us: at our shop in Burgos we have spent decades fitting people who walk a lot, and we will help you choose well first time.

Delivery, returns and secure shopping

Delivery anywhere in Europe takes 4 to 6 working days. Shipping is charged by destination country and calculated at checkout. Returns from outside Spain are at the customer's expense. Payment is secure, and expert advice is available for any question.