For over 35 years, the Merrell brand has shared the simple power of being outdoors and provided thoughtfully designed, rigorously tested products that deliver on performance, versatility, and durability.
2009
Merrell announces partnership with National Parks Foundation.
Merrell ships the 10 millionth pair of Jungle Moc.
2011
After 15 years of partnership, Merrell and Vibram® partner to develop the much-anticipated Barefoot Collection for men, women, and kids.
Merrell introduces the Avian Collection – a line-up of lighter and faster women’s specific multi-sport shoes.
Merrell celebrates our 30th birthday by re-inventing classic styles such as Wilderness, Eagle and Solo as part of our Origins Collection.
Merrell operates from their headquarters in Rockford, Michigan, with other offices all over the world.
1981
Merrell can trace its roots back to a custom pair of cowboy boots. A custom cowboy boot maker by the name of Randy Merrell decided to branch out and test his abilities on hiking boots. The first custom Merrell boots cost over $500 and had a six-month waiting period.
1981
Randy’s original leather hiker was rated by Backpacker Magazine as the most comfortable and most functional of all the tested boots sold in North America.
1981
It was Randy Merrell’s 1981 Backpacker feature, “Trade Secrets of the Bootmaster,” which caught the attention of Clark Matis and John Schweizer, 2 ski executives who were looking for a new venture. The three men joined forces and the Merrell Boot Company was born.
1981
Proof exists today of just how superior this original Merrell product was in the form of the Wilderness boot, one of the early styles that is still produced.
1983
First Merrell GORE-TEX Boot built in Meindl Factory in Germany.
1987
Air Cushion® Midsole technology is introduced, giving boots stability and cushioning advantage.
1993
100,000 hiking boots sold using recycled rubber outsoles; 500,000 pair of hiking boots made with insoles using recycled coffee filters and paper
1995
Merrell and Vibram® begin collaborating.
1997
October: Wolverine World Wide, Inc., one of the world’s leading manufacturers of branded footwear, acquires Merrell.
Merrellboot.com is launched
1998
Merrell develops a new product category in the footwear industry with the introduction of Aftersport shoes during a power outage in the middle of a product development meeting. The Aftersport shoes feature the widely popular Merrell Jungle Mocs and Slides.
1999
Launch of the Merrell Kids line, bringing Merrell’s comfort, style, and durability to young fans.
2001
The Chameleon Collection reinvents outdoor by bringing multisport to life with shoes that take you from the trail to the street. The Chameleon Collection has sold almost 2 million pairs since its debut in 2001.
2002
For those with a continental drifter attitude and “ geographically- challenged”, Merrell introduces the city-ready World collection with a unique bi-hemisphere sole.
Merrell is named Brand of the Year by Footwear Plus. Merrell wins this award again for the next nine years.
2003
Merrell introduces QForm® Comfort Technology that is specifically engineered for women.
2005
Merrell begins relationship with the American Hiking Society as a supporter of National Trails Day.
2006
Merrell UK receives the Drapers Footwear Brand of the Year award. Women’s specific multi-sport Siren Collection is introduced with over one million pairs sold. Men’s multi-sport MOAB shoe is introduced with over two million pairs sold.
2007
Merrell commits to Conservation Alliance Legacy Fund and becomes Pinnacle Member in 2011.
Merrell Apparel and Accessories make their debut, giving Merrell a head-to-toe line. In 2009, socks were added.
2008
Intercept shoe is introduced. This is the first men’s shoe to blend performance and style into a shoe that can take you from the trails to the streets.
2009
Merrell announces partnership with National Parks Foundation.
Merrell ships the 10 millionth pair of Jungle Moc.
2011
After 15 years of partnership, Merrell and Vibram® partner to develop the much-anticipated Barefoot Collection for men, women, and kids.
Merrell introduces the Avian Collection – a line-up of lighter and faster women’s specific multi-sport shoes.
Merrell celebrates our 30th birthday by re-inventing classic styles such as Wilderness, Eagle and Solo as part of our Origins Collection.
Merrell operates from their headquarters in Rockford, Michigan, with other offices all over the world.
1981
Merrell can trace its roots back to a custom pair of cowboy boots. A custom cowboy boot maker by the name of Randy Merrell decided to branch out and test his abilities on hiking boots. The first custom Merrell boots cost over $500 and had a six-month waiting period.
1981
Randy’s original leather hiker was rated by Backpacker Magazine as the most comfortable and most functional of all the tested boots sold in North America.
1981
It was Randy Merrell’s 1981 Backpacker feature, “Trade Secrets of the Bootmaster,” which caught the attention of Clark Matis and John Schweizer, 2 ski executives who were looking for a new venture. The three men joined forces and the Merrell Boot Company was born.
1981
Proof exists today of just how superior this original Merrell product was in the form of the Wilderness boot, one of the early styles that is still produced.
1983
First Merrell GORE-TEX Boot built in Meindl Factory in Germany.
1987
Air Cushion® Midsole technology is introduced, giving boots stability and cushioning advantage.
1993
100,000 hiking boots sold using recycled rubber outsoles; 500,000 pair of hiking boots made with insoles using recycled coffee filters and paper
1995
Merrell and Vibram® begin collaborating.
1997
October: Wolverine World Wide, Inc., one of the world’s leading manufacturers of branded footwear, acquires Merrell.
Merrellboot.com is launched
1998
Merrell develops a new product category in the footwear industry with the introduction of Aftersport shoes during a power outage in the middle of a product development meeting. The Aftersport shoes feature the widely popular Merrell Jungle Mocs and Slides.
1999
Launch of the Merrell Kids line, bringing Merrell’s comfort, style, and durability to young fans.
2001
The Chameleon Collection reinvents outdoor by bringing multisport to life with shoes that take you from the trail to the street. The Chameleon Collection has sold almost 2 million pairs since its debut in 2001.
2002
For those with a continental drifter attitude and “ geographically- challenged”, Merrell introduces the city-ready World collection with a unique bi-hemisphere sole.
Merrell is named Brand of the Year by Footwear Plus. Merrell wins this award again for the next nine years.
2003
Merrell introduces QForm® Comfort Technology that is specifically engineered for women.
2005
Merrell begins relationship with the American Hiking Society as a supporter of National Trails Day.
2006
Merrell UK receives the Drapers Footwear Brand of the Year award. Women’s specific multi-sport Siren Collection is introduced with over one million pairs sold. Men’s multi-sport MOAB shoe is introduced with over two million pairs sold.
2007
Merrell commits to Conservation Alliance Legacy Fund and becomes Pinnacle Member in 2011.
Merrell Apparel and Accessories make their debut, giving Merrell a head-to-toe line. In 2009, socks were added.
2008
Intercept shoe is introduced. This is the first men’s shoe to blend performance and style into a shoe that can take you from the trails to the streets.
2009
Merrell announces partnership with National Parks Foundation.
Merrell ships the 10 millionth pair of Jungle Moc.
2011
After 15 years of partnership, Merrell and Vibram® partner to develop the much-anticipated Barefoot Collection for men, women, and kids.
Merrell introduces the Avian Collection – a line-up of lighter and faster women’s specific multi-sport shoes.
Merrell celebrates our 30th birthday by re-inventing classic styles such as Wilderness, Eagle and Solo as part of our Origins Collection.
Merrell operates from their headquarters in Rockford, Michigan, with other offices all over the world.
Merrell® Men’s and Women’s 
