Seamlessly Connecting the Waterside to the City with MERRELL's Foam Sandals

MERRELL offers a new outdoor experience that seamlessly connects the waterside to the city through its EVA foam footwear lineup, the "HYDRO MOC" series.

Now that foam sandals have become a staple in the fashion industry, why does MERRELL continue to press forward with development in this segment and strive to establish it as a distinct culture?

We spoke with Yusuke Tanaka, MERRELL Marketing Manager at Marubeni Consumer Link Co., Ltd., about the brand's history and the philosophy embedded within its products.

A Brand Philosophy Expanding Toward the Water

MERRELL began its journey in 1981 in Utah, USA, crafting custom hiking boots. Pursuing functionality capable of withstanding harsh natural environments, the brand has created iconic masterpieces like the "MOAB" series, which has sold over 28 million pairs worldwide. Having established a solid reputation, the brand continues to expand its horizons into new territories.

Under the concept of "It Starts Outside," MERRELL turned its attention not only to serious mountain terrains, but also to natural environments that exist as extensions of daily life, such as parks and watersides. The perspective that the outdoors isn't limited to extreme environments requiring specialized gear brought diversity to the brand's product development.

"Since its founding, MERRELL has developed footwear pursuing comfort, functionality, and durability under the vision of 'bringing more people outdoors.' We believe that everyday 'Outside' experiences—like stepping out of the house to walk around town or spending time in a park—can also serve as the beginning of a rich experience."

This philosophy sparked a transformation in the brand's trajectory. In the early 2000s, MERRELL began developing water shoes designed for comfortable use by the water. Stepping into a new environment—not just land, but water—meant creating an unexplored field experience. This approach laid the groundwork for the eventual debut of foam footwear.

A Pioneer in Foam Footwear

Following a long period of trial and error in water shoe development, an iconic product came to life in 2019: the birth of the "HYDRO MOC." Utilizing lightweight EVA foam throughout, this shoe combined the functionality needed to support waterside activities with a truly distinctive silhouette.

Today, foam sandals made from EVA materials are offered by various brands. However, MERRELL's creation stands apart from casual sandals that merely promise comfort. It functions as an outdoor shoe capable of transitioning seamlessly from the waterside to the mountains and into the city.

"The HYDRO MOC is the iconic model that serves as the origin of the series. It combines a unique form with a comfortable fit provided by lightweight EVA foam. Many users favor it as a secondary shoe after hiking, and clipping it to a backpack for easy carrying has become a staple style among overseas hikers."

Functioning as gear to rest tired feet after grueling hikes, it captured the hearts of many outdoor enthusiasts. Fast-drying even when wet and easy to use without hesitation, its qualities lowered the barrier to stepping out into nature. Furthermore, its striking design increasingly garnered attention as a fashion statement.

Evolution Connecting City and Nature

Prompted by the overwhelming response to the "Hydro Moc," MERRELL set out to enhance its functionality even further. The goal was to create a shoe that seamlessly transitions between urban life and nature without losing its core essence as outdoor gear. The result is the "HYDRO NEXT GEN MOC" and the mule-style "HYDRO NEXT GEN MULE."

Specifically, the "HYDRO NEXT GEN MOC" evolved into a structure much closer to a conventional shoe by pairing the comfort of EVA foam with a durable rubber outsole. Built with outdoor-proven functionality, its design has been refined to look effortlessly stylish not just by the water or in the mountains, but on city streets as well.

"This model symbolizes the current Hydro Moc series. On top of the lightweight comfort of EVA foam, we significantly boosted performance elements like cushioning and grip compared to the original model. While maintaining outdoor-tested functionality, it has been updated with a design that effortlessly fits into urban environments as well as waterside settings."

With this enhanced performance, a single pair can seamlessly take you from outdoor recreation like camping to everyday errands in the city without needing to switch shoes. At the same time, its refined aesthetic works flawlessly for town use. This seamless versatility effortlessly weaves elements of the outdoors into daily life.

A New Way to Enjoy the Waterside

Alongside the evolution of its products, MERRELL began rethinking how people spend their weekends, introducing an entirely new outdoor lifestyle called "HYDRO HIKE." This activity involves walking along riverbanks and lakeshores, freely moving between water and land to enjoy nature.

Thanks to the shoes' enhanced functionality, users are no longer limited to simply relaxing by the water—they can actively wade right through rivers and streams. Moving beyond the simple category of "summer sandals," MERRELL is broadening its horizons by positioning these as new outdoor gear for experiencing nature up close.

"The Hydro Moc series goes beyond the 'summer sandal' category; it represents a new outdoor lifestyle proposed by MERRELL. In recent years, we've focused heavily on 'HYDRO HIKE'—an activity where people walk along water features to feel closer to nature—offering entirely fresh experiences."

Unlike serious mountaineering, this concept creates opportunities for anyone to easily connect with the outdoors. From leaving home to playing in the water and heading back to the city, a single pair of shoes supports the entire journey. MERRELL's brand message, "It Starts Outside," is now delivered as a tangible experience driven by both innovative products and diversifying outdoor activities.

In recent years, foam-based footwear and sandals made from EVA materials have been released by numerous brands, leading some in the fashion industry to claim the trend has peaked. For MERRELL, however, the Hydro series was never about chasing a passing fad. It serves as crucial gear supporting "HYDRO HIKE"—a broad spectrum of water-adjacent activities—and embodies the very culture the brand advocates.

In fact, MERRELL is planning to release a new foam shoe packed with innovative features that fans have been anticipating by 2027. Unmoved by short-lived trends, MERRELL's relentless pursuit of functionality and comfort will continue to empower people to take their first steps outside.