Since last summer, the longtime outdoors brand Merrell has slowly worked its way into the world of menswear. It started with a feverish micro-obsession with the Hydro Moc, the perplexing hole-covered water shoe that became a pandemic favorite of adventurous dressers everywhere. (It might have helped that the shoe bears an uncanny resemblance to the always-in-demand Yeezy Foam Runner.) Then, earlier this year, Merrell teamed up with Angelo Baque's Awake NY to give the Jungle Moc a streetwear-friendly makeover. Now, the next step in Merrell's sudden infiltration of cool-dude fashion has arrived: in the form of a casually elevated collaboration with rising New York label Adsum.
The brand has set its sights on Merrell's 1TRL Hut Moc, a laid-back silhouette meant for slow mornings (or evenings) and lazy lounging. It's an indoor shoe, at least until it's an outdoor one. There is breathable perforated suede, a leather-lined footbed, and a grippy rubber sole. It comes in a gorgeous shade of chocolate brown with a dark green accent on the heel, a winning combo of colors that is pitch-perfect for the season.
Yet the real appeal here is comfort. Merrell Mocs feel pretty damn great to wear-far cozier than the dressy shoes most of us no longer need to wear. Couple that with the sleek finish and covetable materials, and it's plain to see that Adsum and Merrell have a winner on their hands-an easy-to-wear shoe that looks much more stylish than your run-of-the-mill moccasin slipper.
We're just a few weeks away from the official start of winter, which means it's high time to make sure you have your seasonal footwear dialed in. Of course, you want to have a pair of next-level, hard-wearing boots that can stand up to the elements. But don't overlook a slip-on shoe that works for both in and out of the house.