Merrell shoes offer considerable advantages over standard trainers, with a host of technologies designed to deliver the most possible performance, with the least weight, at an affordable price. Extensively tested over four seasons in the harsh New England terrain, Merrell is confident its shoes give you the ultimate advantage for all your off-road journeys.
Merrell shoes are built from the inside out to ensure they provide the most comfortable fit. The shoes are wide in the toe box to keep your feet from cramping and feature a tailored fit for men and women. Taking a gender-specific last based on an average foot as a model for the shoe’s construction, they add an insole and lining that conforms to the foot’s anatomy to provide excellent support and a secure, snug fit. The footbed is anatomically shaped for comfort, built by the world leader in footbed design, Ortholite. Linings are highly breathable to offer excellent moisture management to keep feet perfectly cool and dry, with antimicrobial treatments to ensure bacteria and fungus don’t get into your shoes.
With the fit secured, Merrell turns its attention to cushioning and shock absorption. Along the foot in the midsole is Merrell Air Cushion, a highly responsive EVA foam construction to eliminate shockwaves from walking, while providing a firm, comfortable base for stability. At the rear of the shoe, an EVA foot frame secures the heel and acts as a reinforcement for the shoes. With the heel prevented from slipping, you can always be sure of your footing. However, for the rigors of off-road walking and hiking, additional reinforcements are added to the instep to add further protection to both the shoe and foot from punishing rocky terrain.
The upper is built to keep everything in place, pulling the shoe close to the foot for a locked-down fit. Made with highly breathable fabrics, they promote airflow towards the feet to maintain good temperature control and facilitate the escape of steam to keep feet dry. To prevent outside water from entering the shoes, many models offer a Gore-Tex lining for complete waterproofing. Finally, Merrell develops a Vibram rubber tread pattern to provide exceptional off-road grip with a good balance of grip for traction and durability for long life.