Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Lusting After: The Merrell Wilderness Collection

Just the other day I slighted Merrell for making boots that were a little too technical for my tastes and, most likely, for yours as well.  But can you really blame them?  Merrell is an outdoors brand who makes boots for outdoors enthusiasts - end of story.  Do they care about style blogs? Do they care about dudes who read style blogs? I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that they don't.  Anyhow, I was thinking about all this today and I realized that I had failed to previously mention Merrell's Wilderness Collection when it was first announced this past August.  The Wilderness Collection is in collaboration with NY based shoe retailer David Z and their callabo mastermind Ronnie Fieg.  Mr. Fieg took arguably the most classic Merrell silhouette, The Wilderness, and paired it up with some new fabrics.  I really like The Wilderness because unlike a lot of the other hiker style boots on the market this boot has an elongated toe box resulting in a more natural looking shape.  These made in Italy special edition boots are still available and will run you $300.  I can't remember the last time I did a "Lusting After" post here on Sart Inc, but, then again, I can't remember the last time I saw some Merrell boots look this good.


-L.A.S
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24 comments:

  1. ScottDecember 22, 2010 at 1:34 PM

    Really dig the dark brown ones. How does a boot like this hold up in rain/snow? Gonna get my socks wet?

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  2. AnonymousDecember 22, 2010 at 1:50 PM

    As long as the materials are water-proofed, they will be fine in rain/snow (until you step in a puddle/snowbank higher than your ankle, anyway). Note that the Goodyear welt and fully attached tongue leave no paths for water intrusion.

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  3. L.A.SDecember 22, 2010 at 1:52 PM

    Scott- Ditto what Anon said. The key for these, and hikers in general, is that the tongue is a attached to the upper leaving no entryways for water/snow/slush.

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  4. AnonymousDecember 22, 2010 at 1:59 PM

    The Wilderness -- assuming it is the traditional construction -- is extremely heavy -- nearly 4 pounds for larger sizes. I have had a pair for more than a decade now and they stay in the closet except for hiking. They are great for rough terrain with heavy loads, but that's it.

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  5. SteveDecember 22, 2010 at 2:06 PM

    Finally McNairy teams up with the right crowd. David Z is actually McNairy's brother-in-law though, so it's not THAT big of a coincidence.

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  6. L.G. HudsonDecember 22, 2010 at 2:15 PM

    Man, McNairy might just be the hardest working bloke in mens footwear. He seems to be popping up everywhere lately.

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  7. AnonymousDecember 22, 2010 at 3:05 PM

    I don't think these Merrell boots are a new design by any means. I remember these being featured in a GQ editorial about two years ago and I automatically wanted them but couldn't find them anywhere. Thanks for showing them here LAS but I'm lusting after the Diemmes right now.

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  8. The Striking FellowDecember 22, 2010 at 3:35 PM

    Ok, a couple things here.

    1]The tongue, gentlemen, has a name: a gusseted tongue.

    2]Who said anything about McNairy? Did I miss something?

    @L.G. Hudson Hardest working bloke? I'm sure his clothing job is busier than his shoe gig. Don't get me wrong I really like his shoes, but he makes a style of shoe/shoes that the factory where he makes it already made. All McNairy does is switch up the colors.

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  9. AnonymousDecember 22, 2010 at 3:42 PM

    @The Striking Fellow: Thanks for clearing up the terminology
    -Anon 1:50

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  10. HunterDecember 22, 2010 at 4:19 PM

    Wait.. So McNairy has nothing to do with these? I'm confused.

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  11. L.A.SDecember 22, 2010 at 4:42 PM

    Hunter and anyone asking/wondering about McNairy- He has nothing to do with this boot. Just lame jokes by commentors.

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  12. AnonymousDecember 22, 2010 at 5:00 PM

    So you're gonna dick ride Ronnie Fieg now? Come on son - that guy is a fucking clown! He does terrible collaborations for a shitty low level shoe store. Are you forgetting his long legacy of awful brightly colored Asics? DRAW THE LINE.

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  13. L.A.SDecember 22, 2010 at 5:03 PM

    Anon @5:00- I'm not dick riding anyone. I talked about Merrell recently and failed to mention these boots, which I really liked. I'm not commenting on his legacy or anything. End of story. Maybe you should draw your own line before you comment - just a suggestion.

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  14. RHWDecember 23, 2010 at 10:12 AM

    Orvis sells a version of this called the Merrell Vintage Hiker. I bought a pair last year to replace my Vasque Sundowners and these are by far superior in build quality and workmanship. Mine are the medium brown with red laces. The boots have achieved a nice patina on the top of the toe, a gloss on the very slightly sueded leather surface. Perfection. But be warned, these are full-on hikers, so don't walk around the mall in these unless your just funny like that.

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  15. Hog BallsDecember 23, 2010 at 10:31 PM

    McNairy killin it here! Knocked it out the park!

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  16. funky presidentDecember 24, 2010 at 3:35 PM

    what do you think of these hikers? They are the RL Polo Winter Olympic joints

    http://funkypresident.tumblr.com/

    Got them for snowy conditions, but are they 'steezy' enough for daily use? I mean, they were at Marshall's (last minute gifting spree, don't hate) for just $59, and on clearance.

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  17. Dave HDecember 26, 2010 at 2:48 PM

    @funkypresident: One man's opinion, but I think those are hideous.

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  18. AnonymousDecember 27, 2010 at 11:56 AM

    RHW, I still have my sundowners (Italian-made) and am contemplating getting a new pair. But new ones are China-made and heard there are issues. Gotta switch the laces though to red.

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  19. tintinDecember 29, 2010 at 2:06 PM

    I did a lot of rock climbing back in the '70s and it was hard to beat Vasque boots. Good value and very rigid. I remember wearing 'em around town and they would kill my feet. Heavy and stiff but slicker than owl shit - - which reminds me of McNairy.

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  20. UnknownJanuary 3, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    That oiled pair would be killer if they were lace-to-the-toe design. Like the inset pic here:

    http://www.sierratradingpost.com/Shoes-and-Boots.html

    Anyone know of any like these? Seems like all my old Raichles were lace-to-the-toe and I loved the look and the functionality for descending.

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  21. BebeJuly 30, 2011 at 5:36 AM

    @ William F. House

    You might try Limmer Boot Co. in New Hampshire. I still have my Raichles, and Limmer make the closest I've seen to those.

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  22. HenrySeptember 13, 2022 at 7:23 AM

    Very amazing style. These red lasses of these shoes makes it even more attractive. Now it's time to avail Live Chat Services for more information.

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  23. HenrySeptember 13, 2022 at 11:05 AM

    These shoes look so nice. Definitely gonna them. Now it's time to avail Telemarketing Services for more information.

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  24. alt pantsOctober 23, 2024 at 3:00 AM

    WOW!!! Just found your blog. THIS IS AMAZING!!!!

    ReplyDelete

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