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As you’re well-aware, via our Afternoon Beer Break series (here and on WWR), we’re fans of the hoppy suds (and all the many varieties). Well, I can’t speak for everyone else, but I also like the outdoors – camping, hiking, the whole bag. Merrell is a big name in that segment (in fact, I do have a pair of their shoes in the closet), and they just announced a collaboration with Dogfish that resulted in the Merrell Agility Synthesis X Dogfish.
As you can see from the photos, the color scheme of the Merrell Agility Synthesis X Dogfish was very much inspired by the can art of the Dogfish Sea Quench Ale. I can’t say as I’ve had it (but I have had this Dogfish), but it sounds rather delicious, as I’ll quote for you here:
Amazingly tart, refreshing crisp flavors of lime and the deeper slight bitter of black lime, a touch of salt on the tongue, a bit of malt sweetness in the finish
https://www.dogfish.com/brewery/beer/seaquench-ale
While I’ve not been a big fan of sours, the citrus-based ones (as I discovered here) are the way to go. And lime, well, that just sounds crisp and refreshing. This particular ale comes in at 4.9%, which means it’s a solid refreshment for after some vigorous outdoor activities, I’d say. And with these shoes, yeah, you’re going to be kicking up some dirt as you head down the trail.
But hey, you say, kicking dirt is being mean to the planet! I’d say, well, that’s one way of looking at things. But how about this? The Merrell Agility Synthesis X Dogfish are actually pretty eco-friendly, if you stop and think about it. The uppers (you know, the part of the shoe that isn’t the sole) uses the equivalent of two plastic bottles (recycled), the midsole finds 10% of it’s composition coming from algae, and then the sole itself is made 30% of recycled materials. That’s not enough? How about 100% recycled laces, 200% recycled TPU overlays, and a mesh lining that’s 40% recycled. Yeah, that’s right – this is a whole lot of reduce-reuse-recycle. So, yes, you’re stomping around on the earth, but these shoes are doing what they can to minimize the impact on the world.
Aside from just the colors on the Merrell Agility Synthesis X Dogfish, Dogfish-specific text shoes up on the shoes (around the toebox and on the tongue label), so you can keep professing your love of crisp, refreshing brews while you’re out on the trails working for that beer. If you want to pick up a pair of these limited-edition kicks, they’re running $110 directly from Merrell in both men’s and women’s styles. merrell.com
Tech Specs from Merrell
We partnered with Dogfish Head Craft Brewery to create a shoe inspired by our favorite after-run reward: SeaQuench? Ale. Known for its tart flavor and off-centered ingredients like black limes and sea salt, this tasty session sour is the most thirst-quenching beer Dogfish has ever created. You could say it?s our version of summit beers.
FEATURES
? Jacquard upper
? 100% recycled laces
? 100% recycled protective TPU toe cap
? 100% recycled TPU film heel counter for security
? Removable EVA foam insole
? BLOOM? foam midsole is made from 10% algae biomass which cleans and restores the environment when harvested
? FLEXconnect? flex-grooves in the midsole for ground connection
? Rock plate for protection
? 30% recycled M Select? GRIP outsole is sticky and durable
? Vegan-friendly
? Stack height (heel/toe): 30.7/22.7mm; Drop: 6mm; Lug: 5mm
? Weight: 9oz / 254g (1/2 pair)
