Merrell's 'Moab 2 Slide LTR Woven' was a slip-on mule in the brand's 1TRL range, arriving on September 3, 2026, and featuring a woven full-grain leather upper with contrasting color in the weave for Fall/Winter 2026. The silhouette reframed Moab DNA into a backless form while keeping a crafted, tactile look and leather that would age and soften over time.
Underfoot the model kept technical Merrell components: Merrell Air Cushioning in the heel, a molded nylon arch shank, lightweight EVA foam and recycled components paired with a Vibram Ecostep Recycle outsole. Two earthy colorways—Black / Sugar Kelp and Talus / Diorite—anchored the design in a geological palette that avoided bright saturation.
The shoe offered effortless entry without sacrificing stability or traction, making it useful for travel, errands and light outdoor movement. Its combination of premium materials and outdoor engineering gave consumers convenience with durable, performance-informed construction.
Image Credit: Merrell
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Backless Outdoor Footwear
- Hybrid mule silhouettes are expanding performance footwear into effortless daily wear, creating space for stability-focused slip-ons that bridge travel, errands, and light trail use.
- Crafted Technical Materials
- Premium woven leather paired with cushioning, shanks, and grippy outsoles signals a shift toward tactile products that combine artisanal aesthetics with functional engineering.
- Earth-toned Performance Design
- Geological color palettes and low-saturation finishes are reshaping outdoor styling around versatile, seasonless footwear that feels refined beyond traditional trail contexts.
Sectors Adopting This
- Footwear
- Performance brands can reinterpret legacy silhouettes through premium materials and easier entry formats that broaden use occasions without abandoning technical credibility.
- Outdoor Apparel
- The convergence of rugged utility and refined styling reflects growing demand for outdoor products suited to urban mobility, travel, and casual lifestyle environments.
- Sustainable Materials
- Recycled outsole components and long-aging natural leathers highlight opportunities for durability-led product narratives that connect responsible sourcing with lasting consumer value.
