Merrell’s Trail Tested Technologies
What sets Merrell Footwear apart from the rest?
Is it the vibrant colour combinations that our designs include? Or is it the out-of-the-box comfort feature that they provide? Perhaps it is the effort made to incorporate sustainable practices in our manufacturing.
While all of the above functions are certainly aspects that make Merrell Footwear so unique, today we’d like to delve into our trail tested technology. This entails the innovative features that make our footwear perfect for rugged trails, and challenging weather conditions!
1. Outsoles
The outsole provides the grip and durability from the terrain, therefore we ensure that our customers receive the very best protection when taking on treacherous trails.
The golden rule we adhere to is: choosing the correct compounds and lug patterns for grip and durability.
- Compounds help provide grip and durability in your footwear. The softer the compound, the more grip you will have, and the harder the compound, the more durability you will have. Therefore, for trail running footwear, softer compounds are used to give runners ample grip on rugged terrains, whereas hiking boots are designed with hard compounds for strong durability.
- Lug patterns provide stability. You may notice that many of our designs have deep and spaced out lug patterns, which help you easily cut through nature's unpredictable trails. Some of our designs even have lug patterns that wrap around the side, providing extra traction on uneven trails.
These lugs and compounds receive their strength from Merrell’s signature technologies known as Vibram Megagrip, and M-Select grip. Each lug and compound are tuned with superior grip and traction on both dry and wet surfaces.
2. Midsoles & Insoles
If there is one thing every outdoor adventurer can agree on, it's that comfort is essential! Wearing footwear that does not adequately support, cushion, and protect your feet, can lead to serious injuries and overall, put a damper on the experience of enjoying the great outdoors.
This is why we never cut corners with our designs. Our midsoles are designed with FloatPro, which is lightweight and resilient, giving runners that feather like speed they require. Not forgetting our FlexConnect technology which allows for multidirectional flexibility on uneven terrain. The anatomical design shapes the natural structure of the foot, fully supporting movement and works together with the FloatPro foam to create our signature out-of-the-box comfort.
3. Uppers
There’s more to our uppers than simply the bold colour combinations!
Our footwear designs that have woven uppers, make use of Matryx technology. Unlike other textiles, Matryx fabric individually coats each yarn. This breathable material allows your feet to stay dry during intense exertion, giving you the comfort you need!
For our hiking boots that are manufactured with waterproof properties, we make use of M-Select Dry fabric liners which seals out water and allows moisture to escape.
Get Ready for Any Adventure With Merrell
Now that you have a strong understanding of the materials used for our footwear, you can clearly see what sets us apart from the rest.
With our designs, we favour both style and practicality. We understand that every adventurous individual requires a long list of specifications, when it comes to their daily activities, and we have certainly put these thoughts into our designs.
As we continue to strive towards providing footwear that fits the lifestyle of outdoor enthusiasts, we will relentlessly improve our technologies to enhance both performance and comfort, ensuring you are always ready for your next adventure.
Do you enjoy wearing your Merrells on challenging hiking trails or speeding through various terrains? Comment below and tag us on social media to let us know!
