When you’re ready to hit the trails, there’s a few things you need: snacks, a water bottle, and comfy shoes that won’t blister your feet. While we can’t help with the first two, we’ve got you covered for that last one with Merrell! Merrell has footwear for everyone from casual day hikers to devoted backwoods backpackers, and with their brand mission outlining their specific commitment to comfort, design, durability, and versatility you can be sure that any time you wear Merrell on the trails you’ll have a great experience.

About Merrell

The first Merrell products hit store shelves in 1983, but the story begins long before that with a handcrafted pair of cowboy boots. Randy Merrell left the mass production of shoes behind and began handcrafting custom hiking boots for a few outdoor enthusiasts. Word of Merrell’s boots soon flooded the outdoor community, and Backpacker Magazine named them “the most comfortable and functional boots in North America.” Randy Merrell had found his calling.

In 1981, Merrell partnered with Clark Matis and John Schweizer, two experienced businessmen looking to leave the ski company they worked for and found their own company. The three of them together were the perfect combination to build a high-performing but affordable hiking boot: Matis and Schweizer brought the outdoor sports industry knowledge and Merrell brought his footwear crafting expertise.

The founders’ beliefs and ideas about outdoor footwear have continued to shape the Merrell brand today. Merrell has four core values that guide everything they produce. They believe their products need to be comfortable because doing what you love should feel good. They believe their products need to be well designed because both form and function are necessary to create something great. They believe their products need to be durable to hold up in the most severe environments time and time again. They believe their products must be versatile so you can get the most use out of them. Merrell is committed to helping you make the most of your time outdoors.

Favorite Merrell Shoes

Merrell Men’s MOAB 2 GORE-TEX

The Merrell Men's MOAB 2 GORE-TEX in Earth. Also available in Beluga.

For a hiking boot with serious style and serious comfort, look no further than the MOAB 2 line. Merrell introduced the “Mother of All Boots” in 2006, and with the MOAB 2 they’ve introduced some great functionality upgrades without sacrificing the heart and soul of the design. The MOAB 2 is built on the same last as the MOAB (a last is the form that a shoe is shaped around; basically it’s a stand-in foot so no one has to stand there and let a shoe be designed around them!) so you can expect the out-of-the-box comfort you already know and love from the MOAB in the MOAB 2. For more comparisons between the original MOAB and the MOAB 2, make sure you check out the blog post we did when the MOAB 2 was released last year!

The Merrell Men’s MOAB 2 GORE-TEX is $139.95.*

Merrell Women's Encore Q2 Breeze

Merrell Women's Encore Q2 Breeze in Black. Also available in Aluminum and Navy.

Comfort is a breeze with this sporty mule! The Merrell Women's Encore is one of their most popular shoes, and it's not hard to see why. Designed for women on the go, the Encore shoes are updated each season with new improvements. Last winter, for example, Merrell did the Encore Q2 Ice, a shearling-lined slide for maximum warmth and comfort. Of course, you don't need shearling in the summer, so this season Merrell has introduced the Merrell Women's Encore Q2 Breeze! With a mesh upper and mesh lining, your feet will stay cool on even the hottest days. The FIT.TRI blended EVA contoured footbed is designed for maximum support, and a Q FORM™ 2 dual-density midsole is meant to align your foot and body. The M Select™ GRIP outsole will keep you on your feet in even slick conditions. The Encore Q2 Breeze will be your new favorite summer shoe!

The Merrell Women's Encore Q2 Breeze is $89.95.*

Merrell Jungle Moc AC+ Pro Work Shoe

Left: Merrell Men's Jungle Moc AC+ Pro Work Shoe in Black. Right: Merrell Women's Jungle Moc AC+ Pro Work Shoe in Black.

The Jungle Moc AC+ Pro Work Shoe is an outstanding example of the fact that sometimes simple is better. Elastic gore sides offer flexibility and and easy slip-on entry while the M-Select™ GRIP rubber outsole offers slip resistance for even the most slick work environments. The fully waterproof leather upper and breathable mesh lining work together to keep your feet dry no matter what. Designed to keep you on your feet all day with an innovative KINETIC FIT™ footbed and an air cushion in the heel, the Jungle Moc Work Shoe is the perfect companion to your workday.

The Merrell Jungle Moc AC+ Pro Work Shoe is $119.95.*

Merrell is more than just work shoes and hiking boots, of course. They’ve also got ultra-comfy sandals like the Terran Ari Wrap, high-performing trail runners like the Bare Access series, and everything in between. Whatever your outdoor footwear needs might be, you can count on Merrell for high-quality, high-performing footwear that's built to last.

*All prices valid as of the posting date