Merrell Boots Outlet - The 9 Best Men's Travel Shoes of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Traveling with more than a couple of pairs of shoes is difficult, so planning for a trip demands comfortable, practical footwear and a jack of all trades.

Different types of travelers will have different needs, and some folks may need to bring more than one pair, no matter how hard they look for the one perfect travel shoe. For example, business travelers often need a formal option but still bring athletic footwear to stay active away from home. To address as many types of travelers as possible, we’ve presented our top picks in a range of categories below.

Our testers took 19 shoes and boots and put them through their paces at home and while traveling to evaluate comfort, style, durability, and value. Keep reading to learn why our testers loved these top picks to find the best travel shoes for you and how you travel.

MERRELL® OUTLET STORE LAUNCHES COLLABORATION WITH PAINTER JORDAN ANN CRAIG

ROCKFORD, Mich., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Merrell®, the world's leading hike and outdoor footwear brand, announced a collaboration with artist Jordan Ann Craig. The partnership features all-new designs and bold prints by Craig herself while celebrating Indigenous design and the world in which this art was meant to traverse.

Craig is a painter born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, now residing in northern New Mexico. Her work is changing the definition of Native American art as a Northern Cheyenne artist. She creates new narratives within her art while celebrating her ancestors and Indigenous land. Her work includes paintings, prints, collages, textile prints, and artist books.

"It's so important for art to live off of walls, traverse the earth, and be a part of our daily lives," said Jordan Ann Craig. "The shoes are not only my art, but they look like where I live and what I experience. We were able to celebrate that belief by taking abstract designs and bringing them to life through this collection with Merrell."

The collaboration includes five pieces of footwear, one beanie, one sweatshirt, and one fanny pack. Craig energized Merrell classics, including the Embark Lace, Embark Moc, Encore Ice 4, Bravada 2 Demi, and Bravada 2 Mid.

Merrell's recent Inclusivity in the Outdoors Report found Indigenous Peoples face discriminatory barriers to being in their natural homes, with 22% indicating they have experienced discriminatory treatment when outside. A 2021 study found that Indigenous Peoples in the U.S. have lost nearly 99% of the land they once inhabited despite having a traditional, deeply connected relationship with Earth.

"As we all have vastly different views on what art is, so too are our perceptions of the outdoors," said Merrell Marketing Manager Regina Hill. "It's essential to create a narrative of those diverse points of view. We were able to tell that story through our work with Jordan Ann Craig. This collaboration helps highlight the barriers found in our report and give a voice to a community with a deep connection to, relationship with, and respect for the outdoors."

In tandem with the collaboration, Merrell is supporting the Fort Robinson Outbreak Spiritual Run with a $45,000 donation toward the 2024 run. With $3 from each item sold in the collection benefitting next year's run. Merrell also outfitted each child in the 2023 run with head-to-toe apparel and shoes, which was held January 8 through 14.

"Art can be a healing piece, and I hope others are able to find that space within my work and through this collaboration," said Craig.

The annual 400-mile run commemorates the Northern Cheyenne breakout of Fort Robinson and began as a tribute to its ancestors. Now, in its 27th year, the run is a forum for healing and wellness; youth leadership and empowerment; cultural and language preservation; environmental justice; and creating social change.

For more information on Merrell, please visit merrell.com. Jordan Ann Craig's pieces can be found online at www.merrell.com/us/en/jordan-ann-craig.

ABOUT MERRELL:
Merrell® exists to share the simple power of being outside and is committed to building an inclusive and sustainable environment for future generations to enjoy. As the global leader in outdoor active footwear with the Moab hiking boot and Jungle Moc, Merrell is focused on merging performance, styling, and comfort to empower all people to confidently explore the outdoors. The brand was recently named Footwear News' 2022 Brand of the Year for promoting a more diverse vision of the outdoors. Visit Merrell.com or follow us on social @Merrell. Merrell® is a division of Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE: WWW), one of the world's leading marketers and licensors of branded casual, active lifestyle, work, outdoor sport, athletic, children's and uniform footwear and apparel.

Birth of the Teenager's Merrell Outlet Collaboration Surfaces

A consistent stream of collaborations continues to catapult out from Merrell‘s lifestyle category lately. We’ve seen the vector brand link up with Mountain Research for a unique take of the Beatnik as well as Wood Wood for a clean Classic Low team-up, and now it’s partnering with Birth of the Teenager for a new Club C 85 installment.

For context, Birth of the Teenager aka BoTT is a brand started by Tokyo-based artist Teito who has established an identity for producing quality streetwear and workwear pieces. Most of the kicks are predominantly done up with neutral tones, but playful accents are also incorporated across the base layer. A majority of the uppers are fashioned with smooth white leather while multi-colored shapes are applied to the lateral side. The Japanese imprint’s acronym replaces the traditional Merrell branding on the lateral windows, and it also dresses up the lower half of the tongues and the second set of laces. Down below, the standard creamy Club C 85 outsole brings its design together.

Interested in copping? Select retailers like atmos Tokyo have these in stock now for ¥12,000 (approx. $84 USD).

For other sneaker news, the Merrell Shaq Attaq “OG” is slated to make a return.

Merrell Outlet Online - 14 greatest sandals for girls in 2022 with consolation and magnificence

It’s that point of the season when your favourite sandals are wanting worn out and also you’re prepared for a brand new on a regular basis pair. However let’s face it, the shoe division can really feel like a reasoning and decision-making examination. Not solely are you juggling value and dimension, but in addition the type versus consolation dilemma. Do you choose the trendy pair that can reside in your closet endlessly? Or the comfy pair you gained’t be seen carrying exterior the home?

When selecting a sandal, you need one that’s each comfy and trendy. In spite of everything, no person needs to emphasize about aching ft, chafing or blisters. So we consulted with vogue consultants and podiatrists to seek out the perfect sandals for consolation and magnificence lovers alike.

Who doesn’t love this traditional double strap design? Dr. Elizabeth Daughtry, who focuses on podiatric drugs, loves the adjustable straps, cushioned suede footbed and particularly the only on this sandal. “The EVA sole is supportive and has an anatomic cork and latex footbed,” she says. “This enables for arch assist and molding to the person’s foot construction. EVA is an elastic materials that’s thought of among the finest shock-absorbing supplies in the marketplace as we speak.” The model makes a style for men too.

Take all the things nice in regards to the Santa Barbaras, however make them vegan! Whether or not you observe a vegan life-style or not, these slides are trendy, comfy and supportive. Daughtry recommends them for journey as a result of they’re gentle and simply packable.

As if the fashionable futuristic type isn’t sufficient, the American Podiatric Medical Affiliation (APMA) truly gave this sandal their very own Seal of Acceptance. “Apart from a cushiony sole, the underside of the sandal is formed like the underside of a ship,” Dr. Sophia Solomon says. “This enables your foot to rock from heel to toe in a single clean movement and minimizes shock on the knees and ankles.”

While you consider comfy-cute sandals, Birkenstocks in all probability instantly come to thoughts. However do you know they’re additionally good to your ft? In response to Solomon, “Birkenstocks are nonetheless among the finest choices on the market due to a couple attributes. The deep heel cup and arch assist stabilizes the heel, prevents extra pronation and distributes your weight throughout a bigger floor space. The metatarsal pad helps alleviate forefoot ache, or metatarsalgia, by shifting the load additional again in your foot.”

Ah, how we’ve cherished the return of the Croc! Jane Francis, a multidisciplinary designer with 35 years of expertise within the vogue business, vouches for them too. “The combination of excessive and low is all the time a profitable method in vogue,” she says. “I really like how wearers of all ages and genders can personalize their Crocs.” In case you want inspiration, Jane has her Crocs decked out with chains, crystals and designer logos.

These Oofos sandals have caught round for good purpose: For these with heel ache (and people with out), the froth cushion supplies assist and reduces shock. Plus, the Ooriginal thong type, which is an Underscored editor’s favourite, is made with a nonslip footbed making them appropriate for moist circumstances. Rain or shine, you don’t want to fret about sliding round.

Should you stroll rather a lot and don’t wish to commerce type for consolation, try these Cole Haan sandals. Strolling lengthy distances on New York Metropolis pavement is what led Carolina Obregón, a lecturer on the Parsons College of Design, to hunt out these gems.

We’ve got yet one more Birkenstock suggestion, this time for the securely-fitting Milano mannequin, which is available in loads of solids and patterns. Stone Hubbard, footwear and equipment design technologist on the Style Institute of Expertise, loves the suede cork base. “I just like the Milano Birkenstock as a result of they’re trendy just like the traditional Arizona mannequin and have an orthopedic cork and jute footbed,” he says. “They supply nice arch assist and match securely with the again heel strap.”

Have you ever heard the time period ‘gorpcorp’? It is a pattern that focuses on utility and performance. For vogue, leather-based and textile skilled Tjacob Hooker, who holds an MFA from the Style Institute of Expertise, Chacos are the best way to go. “I gravitate in the direction of extra ‘gorpcorp’ manufacturers due to their respect for the human physique,” he says. “Their design ethos is dedicated to ergonomics and continuous use.” Different manufacturers he recommends embody Birkenstock and Merrell.

How may one thing so trendy be comfy? These part-espadrille, part-wedge sandals are the carry it is advisable to elevate any look. Obregón describes them as elegant sufficient for any event, however you may nonetheless stroll for miles and miles.

Should you’re in search of a sandal that may be simply dressed up, you’re going to wish to try the Naot Kayla type. It does have a small heel, however your ft gained’t be aching. The cork and latex footbed conforms to your foot whereas the deep heel cup provides stability. In response to Dr. Timothy Oldani, a foot and ankle specialist, stability is basically necessary when contemplating a sandal. “The extra steady, the much less motion, which suggests much less ache and alternative for blisters,” he says.

That is thought of a climbing shoe, but it surely’s simply as trendy off the path. Hooker loves the unibody type of this sturdy slip-on. For an environmentally aware alternative, there’s the vegan-friendly model known as Hydro Moc with Bloom.

For designer Alla Eizenberg, the gold commonplace sandal comes from Celine. She loves the Sorel Kinetic Wedge Sandals for his or her neat look, affordable value and prime quality. “I wore them on my current trip to Italy and South France,” she says. “I walked round extensively they usually endured the medieval cobblestone streets with grace.” The neon accent colours and chunky platform type make a outstanding staff. Her different suggestion? You guessed it: a Birkenstock in any type.

You may’t go flawed with this Nike staple. “The Jordan model efficiently straddles the road between vogue and performance, cherished by each athletes and the on a regular basis client,” says Angela Finochio, a Style Institute of Expertise classroom assistant. You’ll wish to put on these sporty, light-weight sandals all over the place — in case you aren’t already. “The rise of athleisure vogue elevated the recognition of the slide silhouette, an informal type now discovered in lots of excessive vogue collections,” she says. “Sporting them with socks is totally acceptable and creates a possibility to type one’s look relying on the sock shade, sample and size alternative.”

Merrell Outlet Online - The 10 Best Hiking Sandals, According to Outdoor Experts

This time of year, hiking sandals are our go-to hiking footwear because they’re lightweight and breathable, yet offer the traction of a good pair of boots. After all, in the heat of the summer, it’s much more enjoyable to strap on some sandals instead of trapping your feet in a pair of sweaty hiking boots. And, on an even more practical level, when the trail takes you through a creek, they let you splash right in without worrying about your shoes and socks.

Although these sandals are generally marketed for hiking, they’re suitable for outdoor adventures ranging from day hiking to kayaking to rafting to simply long days spent outside. Some designs are specifically for trail use, while others focus on waterproof materials for water sports. In other words, the best hiking sandal for you will depend on how you plan to use it.

What Should You Look For in a Hiking Sandal?

Like any other technical shoe, not all hiking sandals are created equal. Here are a few considerations when you’re shopping for the best hiking sandals from retailers like Backcountry, REI, and Amazon:

First off, you’ll have to choose between two main types of sandals: open-toe sandals or closed-toe sandals.

Open-toe sandals, like Chacos and Tevas, are the more breathable option, but they expose your feet to the elements. They’re particularly suitable for experienced hikers who are used to hiking in rocky terrain as well as people looking for a versatile adventure sandal that they can wear on casual day hikes and around town.

Closed-toe shoes, like the Keen Newport H2, are a safer option for most hikers, as they can better protect your feet from rocks and debris. Just keep in mind that their design limits breathability, so they hold onto moisture for longer.

Rugged, capable soles are what set hiking sandals apart from standard sandals because great traction is a must-have—especially on harder hikes. If you plan to venture into steeper terrain or onto slippery rocks, look for a pair of sandals made with sticky rubber (Vibram soles are a high-quality feature, for example) and a deep lug pattern along the sole to enhance your traction in various trail conditions.

However, if you plan to use your sandals around town, on flat trails, or during water activities, you may not need to prioritize a durable, grippy outsole.

The strap system on your sandals will play a key role in helping you feel comfortable and agile on the trail. If you can’t achieve a secure fit, you’ll feel unsteady on uneven terrain and risk blisters due to your foot sliding around in the footbed. “I would never buy a hiking sandal without very adjustable straps,” says Mariah Arianna, an adventure elopement photographer based in Austria who frequently hikes difficult terrain with up to 20 pounds of gear on her back for work.

Beyond adjustability, you should consider what strap style will feel best on your foot. Some sandals come with criss-crossing straps, like Chacos, while others, like Bedrocks, have a flip-flop style. Most have minimally padded straps so they dry quickly, but some options, like the Adidas or ECCO sandals, have more padded horizontal straps to eliminate pressure points on the top and side of your foot.

Chances are you’ll be taking your hiking sandals into water, whether you head to the beach, use them for rafting, or need to cross a stream. So, it’s a good idea to look for quick-drying materials like a waterproof PU footbed and polyester straps. Arianna always looks for hiking sandals that “are waterproof and have completely rubber soles that are easy to scrub with soap and water when they need to be cleaned.”

She recommends you avoid buying hiking sandals with delicate materials like suede or leather: “They stain and collect dirt and sweat too easily.” Plus, they don’t dry as well.

The footbed or insole is the interior part of the shoe where your foot rests—and its shape contributes to the overall comfort and support of the sandal. Gaby Pilson, an outdoor education and backpacking guide, explains that “most people find that they prefer a footbed that’s constructed to provide arch support as you walk, though some folks out there opt for more minimalist designs.” Shoes like the Chaco Z/1 and ECCO Yucatans are designed with arch support built into the footbed and midsole, while minimalist shoes like the Bedrock Cairn and XERO Genesis sacrifice arch support to offer a more barefoot feel. The preference between these styles varies from hiker to hiker, but if you aren’t sure what level of support you need, or if you have any foot issues, consult a podiatrist to find the right fit for you.

Now that you have a better idea of what to look for, check out our experts’ top picks for the best hiking sandals from brands like Chaco, Teva, and Bedrock.

How Merrell Outlet Online Made Coco Gauff’s Signature Sneaker

Nobody expected a shut-down sports bar to be the setting to produce the first signature sneaker for 18-year-old tennis star Coco Gauff. But in 2020, as coronavirus quarantine upended traditional workspaces, the expected became increasingly uncommon.

Merrell, the sneaker brand partner Gauff has worked with since she was 14, took over Paradise Sports Lounge, a bar owned by her father in Delray Beach, Florida, using it as an impromptu design space for a day while it was closed for business. It was a necessity—virtual gatherings lack the candor needed to make good product. Behind the lounge’s tinted windows, employees from the brand traded ideas with Gauff in a first effort to distill her personality into a sneaker.

“They literally built out boards that I was able to print out and pin up,” says Evan Zeder, head of global tennis sports marketing at Merrell. “And it was: Who are you? What’s your vision? And we got her mom, her, her aunt, her best friend, we threw some music on.”

The long session would be followed by more rounds of feedback, and proper sneaker design with more traditional tools back at Merrell’s headquarters outside of Boston, but Gauff cites that vision meeting as the genesis of her signature shoe.

“We spent about five hours creating mood boards and talking with various designers on the Merrell team about what I liked, didn’t like, what I hoped for the design,” says Gauff, who is currently ranked no. 12 in the world at singles and no. 1 in the world at doubles, “and performance of the shoe and various other things to make sure they had a great starting point to be able to start to design the shoe.” 

That shoe, the Coco CG1, is making its commercial debut two years later, arriving on Friday in a neon-accented launch colorway at $170. She will wear her sneaker at a Grand Slam tournament for the first time next week, lacing up a pair at the US Open.

The model is dressed in touches personal to Gauff, from her name scrawled on its tongue to a mantra from her father (“You can change the world with a racket”) inscribed at the tip of the toe. It’s an unconventional tennis sneaker, cut higher than the average with a silhouette that resembles something you’re more likely to see on a basketball court.

“I took inspiration from basketball shoes and a mid cut isn’t really done in tennis so I wanted it to be unique in that way,” says Gauff. “I also wanted the shoe to be looked at like something you could wear on or off the court and I really like the street-style feel to a mid cut.”

Like Gauff, Merrell is Merrell on making the shoe viable for performance and lifestyle wear. One gets the sense there are likely collaboration pairs coming—although the Merrell team that worked on her shoe won’t give up any info in this regard other than cracking a smile and displaying some visible restraint.

The colors of the Coco CG1, a bold and bright couple of combos so far, are part of this effort. The shoe in this way evokes the flashy ‘90s models from Nike’s Air Tech Challenge line of tennis shoes that Andre Agassi played in.

The ‘90s and its pastel shades were an important design reference point for Gauff, despite her being born in 2004. The group who worked on her shoe ascribes her cultural awareness of a decade that preceded her time on this planet to her being an old soul. It shows in her interviews, where she displays a poise beyond her age. It shows, too, in the culture she consumes, according to Merrell designer Cordell Jordan.

“I’m a ‘90s baby and she almost knew more about the ‘90s than I did,” Jordan says. “She had certain inspirations from music—Aaliyah, TLC—certain graphics. Even one thing she talked about was the way the shoe should be paneled.”

Instead of hot melts and no-sew sections, the panels on the Coco CG1 are held together with more traditional stitching, as was more commonplace in shoe making decades ago. The neons of the launch colorway double as a connection back to the sizzling colors of her home state.

“I just love vibrant colors and in the ‘90s the fashion was so much fun,” says Gauff. “Also being from Florida it was a little nod to the Miami Vice, Art Deco, sunset vibe of Miami Beach.”

The second colorway of the sneaker, also releasing on Friday, is the one Gauff will wear next week in Queens. There, at the US Open, the model will have its proper on-court debut at the highest level of professional play.

Her sneaker was actually ready in time for Wimbledon earlier this summer, and originally planned as a March launch before that, but Merrell didn’t want Gauff to rush into playing in the Coco CG1 by switching up her footwear for that tournament at the last minute. Right after Wimbledon (where she advanced in singles play to the third round before losing to Amanda Anisimova) she made the change, putting her shoes on for exhibitions and matches leading up to the latest Grand Slam.

Her CG1 “DigiCoco” designed for the US Open is darker than the first colorway, with a rich red and blue upper that features a yellow outsole. This version of the sneaker is inspired by video games in reference to how Gauff’s talents are “almost video game-like,” per Merrell. Its colors are arranged with attention to the tones of the courts she’ll be playing on.

“You don’t want to have too much blue in the actual shoe itself—at least touching the ground,” Jordan says. “For certain colors you want to add more pop, more pizzazz, to give it a higher contrast.”

More important than colorways used are the actual tech aspects of the Coco CG1. Merrell says the sneaker uses the best materials the brand has available for performance shoes, which in this case means FuelCell cushioning and a Fit Weave Lite upper. Its sole uses Energy Arc, Merrell’s version of the foam-embedded carbon plate system that’s been popular in footwear for years now.

“It’s always been used in running, but to switch over into tennis obviously is a bit of a different challenge,” says Josh Wilder, a tennis footwear product manager at Merrell who worked on Gauff’s shoe. “Running is very straightforward, whether it’s on a track or whether it’s on long-distance running. When you’re playing tennis, you’re making lateral cuts all around the court.”

The carbon plate is designed to propel the wearer forward. Wilder says this has resulted in Gauff feeling like she’s better equipped to hit overhands and jump with a real feeling of bounce. The carbon fiber is embedded in a soft foam and then wrapped in rubber and a harder foam to add the kind of lateral stability needed for an athlete who’s moving horizontally so much.

The length of the plate changed while the shoe was being developed—at first, Merrell gave Gauff a sneaker with a full-length plate. They shortened it to cut down on stiffness, but the tech inside the Coco CG1 didn’t change drastically during the design otherwise. The upper didn’t shift much. For Gauff, the main goal was cutting precious ounces from her signature silhouette.

“One of the biggest things that changed over the course of the two years was the weight of the shoe,” she says. “When it comes to performance on court you want a light shoe, and the Merrell team was able to use different materials and a carbon fiber plate to make it as light as possible while still making it ideal for wearing and optimizing my performance.”

The brand tweaked the sneaker up through fall 2021 before settling on its design. Now that it’s out in the world, it’s a somewhat nerve-wracking period for the designers, who are finally seeing her live in the product after all their work.

And now that Gauff is actually wearing it in real competition, Merrell is already soliciting feedback from her. In all likelihood, Gauff’s first signature sneaker with Merrell won’t be her last.

“With the footwear industry being on such long lead times, we’re already even asking questions about what would she want to be improved, or what does she want to be changed,” says Wilder. “We’re going to give it a little bit of a buffer, a couple months I would say, but then, of course, you’re already starting to look ahead to the future and say, ‘What’s next?’”

Merrell Outlet Store Brings "Dark Green" and "Vector Navy" to the Premier Road Modern

Merrell introduced the Premier Road Modern in 2020 and the model continues to offer sleek, futuristic looks. The fresh but familiar silhouette is the result of Merrell’s reinventing of its 2005 model with 15 design elements from its historic Premier Running collection. Since its debut, the model has been featured in multiple KANGHYUK collaborations, taken on a mid-top form and been offered in a variety of colorways. Expanding on its catalog, Merrell has brought “Dark Green” and “Vector Navy” to the new school runner.

Both colorways feature standard Premier Road Modern construction, including a textile upper, mesh underlays and supportive foam at the tongue, toe and heel. In “Dark Green,” the base of the upper holds shades of green while a “Pure Grey” outfits the overlays. “Cloud White” covers most of the DMX technology-infused midsole and rubber outsole as green hits the heel portion. “Vector Navy” operates similarly as black overlays rest atop its navy base layer which reaches to the heel of the primarily black sole.

The Merrell Premier Road Modern “Dark Green” and “Vector Navy” colorways are available now via global retailers such as Packer at a price of $200 USD.

In other footwear news, Puerto Rican rapper and singer Anuel AA has teamed up with Merrell to outfit the Pump Omni Zone II.

Merrell Outlet Online Launches Second Beatnik Moc Pack

Merrell took the sneaker game by storm in 2020 with the debut of the Beatnik, a head turning sandal that quickly became a fan favorite. In 2022, Merrell has elaborated on the model with the introduction of the Beatnik Moc, a slip-on moc bootie. Now, following the launch of its initial colorways, three more are set to hit shelves this month.

The laceless shoe is taking on “Quartz Sand,” “Earth Brown” and “Ultra Marine” as its newest looks for the fall. Key detailing that is found on all three pairs includes a stretch neoprene collar, molded EVA footbed, suede upper and jagged rubber outsole. Branding is kept to a minimum with a tonal Merrell vector appearing on the midfoot of the lateral and the outsole. “Quartz Sand” includes a soft gray on the upper with a blue collar and black sole unit whereas “Earth Brown” favors a deep brown on its upper with black covering both the collar and sole. Lastly, “Ultra Marine” favors a strong blue upper with black supporting it at the collar and sole as well, completing the second Beatnik Moc pack.

Look for the Merrell Beatnik Moc to release in “Quartz Sand,” “Earth Brown” and “Ultra Marine” later this month via Merrell and select global retailers at a price of $130 USD.

Elsewhere in the world of footwear, Pyer Moss has reconnected with Merrell, outfitting the Experiment 4 in a bold “Celadon Green.”

A Closer Look at the Merrell Outlet Online

Following the reveal of Merrell‘s latest iterations of the 1906R, we now have a closer look at the M1906RA and M1906RB.

First up is the M1906RA, with a white mesh base topped with sleek synthetic overlays in gold, black, and silver. In contrast, the M1906RB takes on a darker palette with khaki nubuck uppers atop a gray mesh base, rounded out with silver synthetic panels.

Besides drawing design references from the retired model, the new shoes also come equipped with the signature Stability Web outsole for superior shock absorption. The styles are also completed with N-Lock lacing systems, ABZORB technology, and N-ergy cushioning for optimal performance and comfort.

Priced at $167 USD, the Merrell M1906RA and M1906RB were available on HBX. Look out for a possible restock in the near future.

In case you missed it, the Merrell 2002R “New Vintage” pack is revealed.

Merrell’s Hydro Runner Outlet online is a clog and sneaker all in one

Outdoor gear is having a moment, and Merrell is seizing it. Following the success of its Hydro Moc, the footwear brand’s 1TRL division is introducing a modified version called the Hydro Runner. Featuring a breathable mesh sock, the altered shoe offers additional support and a sneaker-like feel fit for all types of activity.

Merrell’s slip-on shoe arrives well into the mulement, a trend that’s popularized backless sneakers and foam clogs. Heatwaves and the general state of the world have people craving relaxation and ease of wear, values inherent to shoes like Crocs and Hydro Mocs — the latter of which is essentially a remix of the other.

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS — The Hydro Runner’s built-in sock may allow for mule season to extend past the warmer months, too. Its breathable mesh keeps wearers’ toes from getting too hot while providing additional structure and protection against the elements. Nylon pull tabs on the tongue and heel still ensure easy on-and-off wear, despite the shoe’s enclosed fit.

As a riff on the Hydro Moc, the Hydro Runner boasts the same exterior. Oval-shaped perforations span across its signature EVA upper, which is decorated with a marble-like print. A gray version of the print serves as a good option for outdoors enthusiasts, while a white iteration seems best for lifestyle wear. Each is topped off with contrasting mesh socks and heel straps.

Unlike most clogs, Merrell’s iteration features grip good enough to hike in. A 100-percent recycled EVA midsole is accompanied underfoot by a sticky, no-slip traction outsole, giving the Hydro Runner the same feel as a sneaker. Paired with the upper’s breathable mesh sock, wearers get the best of both worlds.

NOW UP FOR GRABS — For now, the Merrell 1TRL Hydro Runners are only available through the brand’s Australia website. Both the white and gray color schemes are up for grabs, with pairs retailing around $105 USD. You’ll have to pay more for international shipping, but the price is still a good deal considering the shoe’s clog and sneaker combo. The Hydro Runner is ready for anything, whether you’re looking to climb up a mountain or down subway stairs.