Glossary of Terms

Merrell, Footwear Technical Terms

 ETC® Anti-Friction Lining

With ETC Lining’s lab-tested and field-proven comfort technology, friction is reduced to almost zero, reducing moisture and heat and bringing comfort and extended wearability to previously unattainable levels. Discomfort (heat plus moisture) is greatly overcome by ETC-On-The-Inside’s Comfort Technology. Etc Linings are designed for high durability, breathability, colorfastness and resistance to deterioration. Etc-On-The-Inside has the lowest coefficient of friction of any lining material available in the world today. Etc Linings also contain antimicrobial protection that provides a 99% deduction in bacteria.

Vibram®

Vibram® Sole Capabilities Merrell uses Vibram® soles on more than 75% of its hiking, multi-sport and trail running styles. Merrell/Vibram® soles showcase all of Vibram’s® design capabilities:

Sharply angled braking studs and an under cut heel for descending. Multi-directional, “S”-shaped thrust studs for climbing. No lugs in the arch so the foot flexes naturally. Highly slip-resistant “Yellow Label” Trek Compound rubber—the perfect chemical combination for stickiness and abrasion resistance.

Trek AND TC5+ Rubber Compounds Vibram’s® Trek and TC5+ rubber compounds represent breakthrough technology in grip, stability and abrasion resistance for hikers. Numerous tests in the lab and in the field have confirmed this compound as being the best on the market.

GRIP—Excellent grip on dry and wet ground. WEAR—The wear resistance of Trek and TC5+ rubber guarantees long life for the sole and its technical features. Abrasion and tear resistance are also excellent.

Behavior at High and Low Temperatures Trek and TC5+ rubber performs consistently in varied weather conditions, maintaining its original traction and slip resistance in a wide range of temperatures, hot or cold.

Resoleable You can replace some Vibram® soles when they wear out to extend the life of your boots.

Microban®

Merrell water sandals are built with a compression-molded EVA footframe that contains the added benefits of Microban Product Protection. Microban is an anti-microbial product that inhibits the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew that cause odor and stains.

Thinsulate™ Insulation

What makes Thinsulate insulation so important to cold-weather footwear? Three words: thin, warm and light. Thinsulate insulation has nearly twice the warmth of foam, felt, or pile and is one of the lightest synthetic insulations on the market. Durable and compression resistant, Thinsulate insulation can take a beating and still retain the little pockets of air so important for keeping feet warm. Able to retain warmth when wet – absorbing less than 1% of its weight in water – Thinsulate keeps feet warm even in damp conditions.

200 grams of Thinsulate Insulation is recommended for cool conditions or for high activity levels where the wearer generate/builds a lot of body heat through activity. 400 grams of Thinsulate Ultra Insulation is recommended for cold conditions or moderate activity levels where the wearer generates/builds a normal amount of body heat through activity.

Polartec®

As the inventors of fleece, Polartec revolutionized the market for thermal insulation clothing and accessories. Polartec fabrics provide warmth without the weight and bulk of traditional insulating fabrics. Air pockets on both sides trap body heat, creating thermal insulation.The fabrics breathe (allowing body moisture to pass through), dry quickly, and are non-pilling, outlasting other fleece fabrics. Demanding outdoor enthusiasts prefer garments made from Polartec fabrics. Now the same benefits of Polartec are available in technical footwear.

GORE-TEX®

Merrell uses GORE-TEX® bootie construction in several of our top-of-the-line waterproof hiking boots and shoes. Used in hiking construction for more than 20 years, GORE-TEX® fabric is the best assurance that your boots will provide unbeatable breathable, waterproof performance.

GORE-TEX® XCR, or Extended Comfort Range, footwear suppresses humidity to deliver optimal climate comfort and maximum performance during high-output activities. Highly breathable and durably waterproof, this versatile footwear also extends comfort during warmer seasons to meet the demands of avid adventurers, serious athletes, and outdoor enthusiasts.

As a measure of our confidence in GORE-TEX® footwear performance, Merrell uses GORE-TEX® fabric in both hiking boots and adventure travel shoes. Furthermore, Merrell offers a full one-year guarantee, along with the GORE-TEX® Guaranteed To Keep You Dry satisfaction guarantee, for the waterproof/breathable performance of our GORE-TEX® footwear.

Merrell Insoles

The insole is critical to the flex performance of Merrell boots. As the boot strikes the ground, the insole, which is the layer of material between the outsole and the footbed, helps stabilize your foot and keeps it from twisting on uneven terrain.

We use stiffer, more stable insoles on our heavy duty backpacking boots for the added stability needed to carry heavy loads on steep terrain. For these boots, Merrell uses a tapered injected-nylon insole, providing unmatched torsional rigidity with an even flex under the forefoot. The molding process allows us to proportionally grade the flex of each size insole to account for differences in boot length and hiker weight. For day hiking and walking we use Texon insoles and spring steel shanks. By varying the length and thickness of the steel shanks, we can tune the flex for comfortable walking and carrying light loads.

Merrell Footwear Fit Characteristics

1) A snug fit in the heel: In a stride, your foot bends at the ball, and the heel tries to pull away from the boot. Because of our precise fit, the upper follows the heel. That prevents the slipping and sliding that eventually causes blisters.

2) Snug over the instep: Besides preventing the toes from sliding forward when you go down hill, a precise instep fit gives you internal control. When you're standing on sloping rocks, the boot sole doesn't sideslip underneath you.

3) Toe room: We give plenty of room to the toes. This room, combined with our sturdy toe box, protects the toes from getting bashed by rocks.

4) Width:Feet vary not only in length but in volume. You can adjust volume for narrow or wide feet with our custom-fit footbeds.

5) Sizing:Our boots are designed to fit like your street shoes. There’s no mystery, confusion or conversion.