By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
Things Merrell boots and Jeeps have in common is they’re both tough as hell and virtually unstoppable in the great outdoors.
Now, Merrell and Jeep are collaborating on a new hiking boot to celebrate the rugged heritage of these two outdoor legends.
Merrell and Jeep have announced they will launch the “Merrell Moab 3 Mid x Jeep”, a hiking boot built for people who are serious about getting out on the trail.
Full disclosure, I hike almost every day as I live on a rugged island just off the coast of British Columbia, and I’ve owned a number of Moab hiking boots. They’re definitely among the toughest and most comfortable boots on the planet, and it’s easy to see why they’re such a great fit (so to speak) for Jeep.
These new Moab 3 boots will be branded with the Jeep logo design, and will be available for purchase on October 16 in eight countries. The boots will be available in both men’s and women’s sizes, and will come in three different colorways that match Jeep brand coat names: Sarge Green, Sting Grey, and Hydro Blue.
Merrell says both brands celebrate the same spirit of adventure, so a collaboration just made sense.
“Adventure meets adventure with the ‘Merrell Moab 3 Mid x Jeep’ collab, and we’re thrilled to work with an iconic partner like the Jeep brand whose legacy has so much alignment to our own history on the trail,” said Merrell Senior Director of Brand Marketing Lindsey Lindemulder. “The Jeep brand has a loyal fan base similar to Merrell, and these boots have on- and off-road capability for you to navigate any journey with confidence.”
Kim Adams House, Head of Licensing & Merchandising at Jeep’s parent auto company Stellantis, says another factor is that the name Moab is a major aspect of the Jeep’s heritage.
“Moab, Utah, is the Jeep brand’s preeminent playground, and it’s only fitting we honor it with the landmark designs featured in the ‘Merrell Moab 3 Mid x Jeep’,” Adams House explained. “The craftsmanship you expect, know, and love in our vehicles is matched in this trail-rated boot.”
The Jeep brand team is previewing the boot at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at the Huntington Place in Detroit, Mich., from Sept. 13 through Sept. 24, 2023. NAIAS is considered one of the most influential automotive events in the world, and considering both Merrell and Jeep are from Michigan, it’s the perfect place to debut the collection.
Merrell incorporated key design details as an ode to hidden Easter eggs commonly found in Jeep 4x4s. Fans of the brand will immediately pick up on the style cues that come directly from the rugged design of Jeep Wranglers. Custom molded Rubicon badging represents the most capable Wrangler build, while red “tow” lace hooks represent the red tow hooks on the front of the Wrangler Rubicon. The metal lace hardware represents the hatches on the Jeep 4×4 hood, while the monochromatic color scheme mimics iconic Jeep 4×4 exterior colors.
The upper mesh was chosen to resemble the hexagon pattern on the Wrangler’s grille, the larger heel webbing hook represents the Jeep’s seat belt, and the Jeep brand’s iconic seven slot grille is embossed in backstay. Finally, unique footbed inserts feature a topographical map of Hell’s Revenge, a popular off-road trail in Moab, Utah, where Jeep enthusiasts test the limits of their machines.
As well, fans could even win a Jeep Wrangler to match their new boots, as Merrell is celebrating the launch with a vehicle giveaway. There is no purchase necessary to enter and one entry is allowed per person. The sweepstakes is open Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, through Monday, Nov. 6, 2023 for residents of the U.S., Canada, Peru, and Panama. You can find more information on the Moab boots and the sweepstakes after it begins in October.
The collection will be offered in the U.S., Canada, Taiwan, China, Japan, Peru, Panama, and Colombia while supplies last. It will also be available in select DICK’S Sporting Goods, Public Lands, and Atmosphere.
TLL Offering Free Listings For Licensing Agencies in New Publication
Viral TikTok Star Doggface Gets Truck Upgrade From 4 Wheel Parts