History of Merrell

The Merrell Story

The Merrell story begins back in 1981 with a custom pair of cowboy boots ‐ yes, cowboy boots. Merrell’s roots begin with a custom cowboy boot maker by the name of Randy Merrell. In 1981, he decided to branch out and utilise his cowboy boot making skills in making hiking boots. Using the same last he used to make his American cowboy boots, Merrell crafted custom-made hiking boots at his home in Vernal, Utah. Painstakingly crafting these boots one pair at a time, the first Merrell hiking boots cost over $500 and had a waiting period of six months.

Through word-of-mouth and small classified ads he placed in backpacking publications, Randy Merrell became known for building hiking boots that like a cowboy boot fit perfectly - snug in the heel, precise over the instep and roomy in the toes. 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.

It was Backpacker magazine’s 1981 feature on Randy Merrell ‐ "Trade Secrets of the Bootmaster" which caught the attention of Clark Matis and John Schweizer, fresh from Rossignol Ski Company, the pair were looking for a new venture. Already outdoor and footwear enthusiasts, they were on a search for the perfect hiking boot and in the process found Randy Merrell. The three men joined forces and the Merrell Boot Company was born.

The original Merrell product designs came from Randy, his American boot lasts and high quality craftsmanship went into every pair. Clark Matis contributed his production management knowledge and marketing savvy, while John Schweizer added his business acumen and Italian sources. In 1982, the Merrell Boot Company launched its first program with the goal of bringing Randy’s custom boot designs to a wider audience. In his boot making, Randy Merrell applied a "no compromise" approach and all Merrell boots were built with this in mind.

The Merrell team used American cowboy boot technology in their original boots with a 1/4 inch thick heel counter designed to make boots last ten years and an Italian boot manufacturing process to yield boots that were built to perform and made to last. Proof of how superior these original Merrell boots were still exists today in the form of the Wilderness boots, one of the early styles of Merrell boots that are still sold by Merrell.

Over the next few years, the Merrell Boot Company grew and expanded its product line. Merrell became a force in backcountry skiing by introducing the first plastic-cuffed telemarking boots and Velcro-closure touring boots.

By the late ‘80’s Merrell further expanded its product line to include day hiking boots, sports sandals, trail running shoes, approach shoes and walking shoes.

Today, Merrell footwear and clothing is designed and built for customers who recognise "outdoor" as a lifestyle. Men, women and children look to Merrell products to combine outdoor function and performance, progressive style and an independent design vision. Merrell’s unique products will blend comfortably into both natural and urban landscapes.

Merrell now consists of more than 80 dedicated employees in North America, the United Kingdom and Europe (including original team member Clark Matis), and more than 150 people selling the products around the world. Merrell remains dedicated to continuously expanding the outdoor journey of discovery and freedom.