Merrell 1TRL has come into 2023 hotter than ever with an impressive series of under-the-radar collabos with some of the fashion world’s finest – including a limited drop with Dime and a recently revealed link-up with de facto upcycling queen Nicole McLaughlin. Perhaps their best and most wearable work of the year so far though comes by way of an ongoing partnership with the incredibly talented young designer, Reese Cooper.
Reese Cooper: A Prodigy's Journey - Blending Americana, Streetwear, and Nature in Reinventing Merrell Classics
Reese Cooper’s own eponymous line is now in its eighth year of existence, which is absolutely shocking considering the Atlanta-born, London-raised, and currently L.A.-based designer is just 26 years old. The DIY prodigy likes to tap into a grab bag of influences for his solo work – vintage Americana, modern streetwear, and the great outdoors – all of which are on full display in this season’s offering of overhauled Merrell staples.
FW23 Highlight: Reese Cooper's Hydro Moc AT Cage
The standout from this FW23 drop, in most sneakerheads’ minds at least, is RC’s take on the Hydro Moc AT Cage. This all-terrain model kicks things into high gear with a water-friendly EVA foam cage upper and a plethora of sustainable materials like an 80% recycled nylon upper and a BLOOM® performance foam midsole that’s made partly of algae biomass. The ‘black’ version we’ll be stocking actually features a couple different shades of brown, with vibrant orange toggle laces and accents that are a nice nod to recent streetwear trends.
Not to be slept on though is the Cooper-ified version of the Moab Mesa Luxe. Debuting a couple whimsical colourways highlighted by two super unique and absolutely electric shades of the Vibram® TC5+ outsole, these reinvented classics look and feel better than ever with the addition of some fun new textures and materials. The ‘Sea’ version features a bright, speckled teal outsole with corresponding laces and deep purple suede defining the upper, while the ‘Khaki’ one spruces up the classic beige hiker with loud punches of orange throughout.
We’re lucky enough to have scored ourselves some pairs of both the Moab Mesa Luxe and the Hydro Moc AT Cage, so don’t be a stranger – come try these sustainable new silhouettes on before they’re gone.
