Merrell footwear and outdoor apparel

Founded in 1981 in Vermont, USA, Merrell began as a specialized maker of custom high-performance hiking boots. Randy Merrell, a custom bootmaker, joined forces with Clark Matis and John Schweizer, both former executives from the Rossignol ski company, to create a more affordable but high-quality hiking boot. The brand quickly gained a reputation for combining performance, comfort, and durability, eventually leading to the creation of the iconic 'Moab' series and the 'Jungle Moc'.

While the brand maintains its American heritage and design center, its manufacturing operations are global. Production occurs primarily in Asian manufacturing hubs, including Vietnam and China, to support its worldwide distribution network. This allows the brand to scale its innovative technologies like Vibram outsoles and GORE-TEX waterproofing. Today, Merrell is part of the Wolverine World Wide portfolio, positioning it as a global leader in the outdoor footwear industry.