State-of-the-art men’s walking shoes.

Legendary comfort and performance

Since its beginnings in 1981 as an innovative boot company begun by hikers for hikers, Merrell has evolved its product collections to include a wide range of high quality footwear for taking on outdoor experiences in both natural and urban environments. Always on the cutting edge of technology, design, and style, Merrell’s focus remains to provide the most comfortable, highest quality footwear. Merrell brings a true spirit of adventure to all its footwear collections, from hiking boots to aftersport mocs to all-terrain sandals.

Like Orvis, Merrell’s mission is to equip and encourage everyone to get outside. Being outdoors brings discovery and freedom. Outdoor adventure and exploration keeps the natural world in the forefront of our consciousness, and helps us make healthy and deliberate decisions to protect and preserve the environment.

What makes Merrell consistently at the top of its class for performance shoes and boots? Upgraded features, superb fit, exclusive technologies, and state-of-the-art materials are just a few qualities that characterize Merrell.

The Famous Merrell Fit

Merrell footwear is legendary for a perfect fit right out of the box. The company has invested considerably in research and technology to create an accurate and comfortable fit specially designed for the wearer – whether it’s man, woman, or child.

Merrell’s Exclusive Technologies

Two essential and fundamental principals behind Merrell’s success are a willingness to invest in innovative technologies and the exclusive use of renowned materials like Vibram®, Polartec®, Thinsulate®, and Gore-Tex® to cushion, insulate, and waterproof its shoes and boots. This resourcefulness ensures that Merrell’s footwear offers the highest level of performance and comfort for every climate, condition, and landscape.

Merrell’s Patented AirCushion® Midsoles

Found only in Merrell boots and shoes, the patented Merrell AirCushion midsole absorbs shock and enhances stability. This unique air cushion provides unparalleled support and padding as it compresses with each heel strike to absorb more than four times the wearer’s body’s weight. The AirCushion also keeps the heel centered in the shoe, working to stablize the foot, for superior comfort and cushioning on pavement, and stability and control on the trail.

Q-Form®

Especially designed for women and their unique movements, the patent-pending Q-Form cushion system provides women with a supportive and naturally aligning midsole. Bearing the brunt of the shock as the heel hits the ground, Q-form centers the heel, alleviates discomfort, and reduces early deterioration of soles and shoes.

OMNI-FIT® Lacing System

Providing a completely customized, snug, and secure fit for every foot, Merrell’s exclusive Omni-Fit lacing system threads laces through the tongue and the upper using D-rings to create a unique and innovative lacing structure that is stronger and more dependable that traditional eyelet lacing.

Merrell’s Innovative Sole Designs

Exclusive and proprietary, these versatile designs take on trail and stream while promoting and enhancing traction. The Vibram® Chameleon Sport™ sole maintains durable and sturdy traction with trek and super trek rubber bottoms. Vibram® Multi-Sport™ Soles offer excellent grip and resilience with an innovative combination of rubber compounds. Featured on some of Merrell’s best-selling shoes and boots, the patented “Sticky Rubber” sole is constructed with a dual-density sticky rubber compound for maximum grip, increased durability, and longer wear. All of Merrell’s soles are shoe-specific designs to provide the best possible traction, support, and non-skid properties available for the shoe-type.

History

For more than 20 years, Merrell footwear has been designed and constructed to perform for individuals who appreciate “outdoor” as a lifestyle. Merrell was conceived by custom cowboy bootmaker Randy Merrell in 1981 in Vernal, Utah. Merrell’s goal was to craft a truly comfortable and durable hiking boot. Within months word got around, and the waiting list for these premium handcrafted boots was 6 months long. The company moved to Vermont and some of the first Merrell boots were tested right here in Orvis’s backyard, Vermont’s Green Mountains.

A story of ongoing development and evolution, by 1983, Merrell boots were being sold by outfitters across America. Merrell men’s and women’s out-of-the-box fit was initiated and the accolades came pouring in. In 1988 Backpacker Magazine ranked Merrell leather boot as the “Best Hiking Boot”. By 1992, Merrell had introduced its first sport sandals and refined its concept of weather-tight construction in its hiking boots, providing hikers everywhere with warm, dry feet.

In 1995, Merrell introduced its first innovative Vibram® outsole to enhance traction, making Merrell hiking boot and shoes with slip-resistant soles. In 1998, Merrell introduced the revolutionary concept of “aftersport” shoes, specially designed for comfort after a long, hard day on the trail. The following year, Footwear News named Merrell the 1999 Athletic/Outdoor Brand of the Year. Beginning in 2000 Merrell began to redefine “outdoor exploration” to include the urban environment and introduced a city-ready collection to meet the needs of a new breed of street hiker and power walker.

Today, hikers and trail walkers turn to Merrell for the most up-to-date technology, and the comfort and durability for which Merrell is famous. Upgraded features such as supportive backstays, contoured heel counters, graded insoles, Air Cushion midsoles, and innovative sole designs are standard in Merrell’s hiking boots and shoes. Get outside and hit the trail or the streets and discover for yourself Merrell’s legendary comfort and performance.

Packing tips from Dave Parker of Orvis Travel

Dave Parker of Orvis Travel gives tips for packing light.

Here at Orvis, we put our travel clothing and luggage to the real-life test every day. Our Orvis Travel staff and product developers log thousands of miles a year to bring you the very best, most authentic travel experiences and gear.

With new airline regulations and fees, it’s more important than ever to pack wisely. We asked our own Dave Parker -- Managing Director of our in-house travel agency – for tips on how to pack to ensure you get the most out of your travels:

1. Cotton/synthetic-blend fabrics are easy to wash and dry on the road.  If laundry service is a given, our pure cotton wrinkle-free shirts are a great choice for travel too. If you pack enough shirts for three days, you have enough for a week.  Also, plan to buy a shirt or two at your destination. It's one way to take home a practical souvenir.
2. Choose a bag made of ballistic nylon cloth. They are strong, yet light in weight. If you start with a heavy bag, it's all downhill from there.
3. Think about color schemes when you pack. Make sure everything you bring is in the same palette, so it all matches.
4. Think layers. Instead of a single heavy jacket, for example, take light layers that can be added and subtracted according to the weather. For cool climes, take a base layer of merino wool, then a synthetic/cotton-blend shirt, a fleece vest, and then an outer layer shell to stop rain and wind.  For cold climates, use a warmer base layer and a thicker fleece with long sleeves.
5. Ship ahead. It sounds extravagant, but if you're going to a single place where you need a lot of gear (e.g., waders, fly rods, skis, etc.), it’s wise to ship it. The parcel services all have good tracking systems, and you'll know where your bag is ahead of time. (I'm doing this for an Alaska trip in August. Who wants to carry waders?)
6. Think ounces. Take the smallest container/amount of toiletries possible, especially if you can replenish at your destination. There’s no need to take 16 oz. of shampoo for a one-week trip. Get a couple of small, refillable plastic bottles, and fill them at home before you go.
7. Stay organized. Use nylon bags or large, clear freezer bags to compartmentalize. Put all the socks in one bag, etc. Knowing what you have helps you avoid over-packing.
8. Download a book to your mp3 player.
9. Unless you're a professional photographer, take the smallest digital camera you can. The picture quality will still be excellent.
10. Wear your biggest/heaviest shoes on the plane and pack the lighter ones.
11. Don't forget to ask about rental gear before you pack. Some fishing lodges have everything you need, especially if they're Orvis-endorsed.