Merrell and Sweaty Betty launch fourth collaboration and bring a new fashion perspective to hiking for Fall/Winter 2026

US outdoor footwear brand Merrell and British activewear label Sweaty Betty have launched their fourth collaboration, a fall/winter 2026 footwear capsule aimed at women who hike. Both brands are owned by US footwear group Wolverine World Wide.

The capsule reworks Merrell's Moab Speed 2 GTX, which the brand describes as one of its best-selling styles, in two exclusive colourways: Bracken Green and Utility Brown. The shoe features a Vibram TC5+ outsole developed exclusively for Merrell, a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane, FloatPro foam cushioning and a FlexPlate for stability and forefoot flexibility.

Priced at 150 pounds, the collection launches on October 22, 2026, on the websites of both brands. In the UK it will also be sold through Asos, JD, Very and The Sports Edit at Marks & Spencer, as well as in selected Sweaty Betty stores, including Richmond, Marylebone, Bath, Victoria and Meadowhall.

Hiking as a community activity

According to the brands, the partnership responds to a broader shift in how women experience the outdoors, with hiking increasingly seen as a social activity rather than a purely technical one. Ahead of the launch, Sweaty Betty's community joined the Merrell Hiking Club, the brand's female-led hiking group, for a preview of the collection in Lee Valley on September 19.

"We're proud to continue our collaborative partnership with Sweaty Betty. Their commitment to empowering women through movement, community and confidence makes them such a natural collaborator for Merrell," said Noreen Naroo-Pucci, chief product officer at Merrell.

Sweaty Betty expands its hike range

Alongside the footwear, Sweaty Betty is extending its own hike collection. The brand has adapted its Power leggings, which it names as its best-selling product, into the Power Hike Legging, made from a four-way stretch fabric with a water-resistant finish and a back panel for carrying an extra layer. The range also includes Performance Fleece Zip-ups and Longline Parkas from its Motion line.

Stacey Britt Fizgerald, vice president of marketing at Sweaty Betty, said the collaboration ties in with the brand's FW26 campaign 'Born For The Storm'. "Together with our expanded Hike collection, we're bringing a distinctly Sweaty Betty point of view to the trail, combining performance and style with a fresh take on the outdoors," she added.