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FASHION & CONSUMER DEMAND
O
utdoor footwear and apparel brand Merrell has
said its most recent range of performance shoes
and boots is one of its most technically advanced
collections to date. The new collection,
Norsehund, focuses especially on cold weather protection and
outdoor traction. Its principle components are weather-proof
winter boots for men and winter sports footwear for women.
Men’s boots include the Norsehund Alpha Waterproof and
the Norsehund Omega Mid Waterproof. The Alpha is a tall
winter boot with a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) shell
on the upper for durability and protection. The Omega
combines a full grain leather upper with the brand’s Opti-
warm synthetic insulation. Both incorporate new proprietary
technology called the ColdSmart, which comprises one
system for warmth, and one for traction, a central part of a
design that aims to keep outdoor enthusiasts safe and warm
in cold and slippery conditions.
ColdSmart Warmth is a system built around “common
warmth principles”, Merrell says. Wet feet lose heat faster than
dry feet, but if feet get too warm they sweat. So the footwear
brand set itself the task of finding a way to keep feet warm
without overheating, keeping sweat to a minimum.
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Technical turns
for Merrell
WORLD FOOTWEAR | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012
Outdoor footwear brand Merrell knows it faces new in-house competition from
Saucony since parent group, Wolverine World Wide, moved to acquire the
performance and lifestyle group of Collective Brands earlier this year. Merrell’s
immediate response has been to emphasise the highly technical characteristics of its
shoes and boots, starting with winter 2012.
Merrell has said its new Norsehund winter footwear
collection is one of its most technically advanced. A
new system called ColdSmart helps provide warmth
and traction in cold and slippery conditions.