Outdoor Voices and Merrell Created Hiking Boots for Women That Are Actually Stylish

I have always thought of myself as an adequate hiker. I was a Girl Scout for six years. I went on every family hike, whether it was in Colorado or West Virginia or Scotland. I even started a hiking club in my high school. Through it all, I fully embraced nature and what it had to offer—but there was another constant: I was not willing to compromise on my hiking attire. And that included my hiking boots.

I haven’t ever been able to just “throw on” a T-shirt and leggings. Even pre-Instagram, I would spend time curating the perfect athleisure look, making sure every element of my outfit was thought through. (I’m partial to color-coordinated hats and socks.) I’ve always loved fashion, and that didn’t stop once I hit the trail. And over time, the worlds of fashion and the outdoors have overlapped. (There’s even a name for it: gorpcore.) Hiking boots are frequently worn with streetwear. Dozens of strictly-fashion brands have put out their own versions, riffs on classics like the Danner or the Grenson—but while they have the look of durability, they don’t always offer the durability of a proper boot.

I’ve had trouble finding authentic hiking boots for women that appeals to my fashion sensibilities. And, on more than one occasion, I’ve foregone them altogether, despite my mother’s pleadings to trade in my Adidas for a pair of more sensible shoes. There just wasn’t one that was aesthetically what I wanted and gave me the support that I needed. However, that changed this month, when the fashion-favorite label Outdoor Voices announced it was collaborating with renowned footwear brand Merrell.

Merrell’s Moab boots are one of the most recognizable hiking boots on the market. They’re known for being incredibly supportive and immensely comfortable. Aesthetically, though, they’re not anything to write home about (or, more appropriately, post about on Instagram). But, in the spirit of #doingthings, Outdoor Voices took the utility, dependability, and durability of the Moab and reimagined it into a true fashion lover’s hiking boot.

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