For Merrell, natural movement doesn’t end with footwear; this spring the company introduces its M-Connect line, intended to apply the freedom of movement philosophy to its performance clothing collection.
Merrell Men’s M-Connect Apparel
Mix Master Wind Shirt
- 100% polyester with Merrell Aeroblock fabric for wind resistance
- Durable Water Resistant finish
- Stretch mesh wicking underarm and side panels
- 3D interior texture for moisture management
- Zippered hand pockets
- 3 color options
- MSRP $99
Torrent Shell Jacket
- 100% polyester micro ripstop with Merrell Aeroblock
- Durable Water Resistant finish
- 20 Denier fabric
- Ultra compressible, compresses down into chest pocket
- Mesh wicking underarm panels
- 2 color options
- MSRP $89
RFE Shorts
- 100% polyester with mechanical stretch fabric
- Merrell Opti-Wick moisture transfer
- Stretch wicking panels on back and sides
- 8” inseam
- 2 color options
- MSRP $45
Merrell Women’s M-Connect Apparel
Orenco Jacket
- 100% lightweight polyester with Merrell Aeroblock fabric for wind resistance and breathability
- Durable Water Resistant finish
- 20 denier fabric
- Hanging hood
- Mesh lined vents
- Zippered back center pocket
- 4 color options
- MSRP $89
Thelon Shirt
- 85% Nylon, 7% spandex, 5% polyester construction
- Opti-wick fabric for moisture management
- Square neckline
- Slight flare through trunk for relaxed fit
- 5 color options
- MSRP $45
Thelon Tank
- Soft stretch wicking bra connected to outer tank Tank 85% Nylon, 7% spandex, 5% polyester
- Jog bra 78% polyester, 22% Elastane
- 4 color options
- MSRP $60
Afton Shorts
- Panels: 100% polyester with four-way stretch
- Waistband: 90% polyester/10% Elastane
- 4” inseam
- Zippered hip pocket
- Scalloped side seams
- 3 color options
- MSRP $45
Quick Review: Merrell M-Connect Apparel Collection
All of the items in the M-Connect apparel line have key features in common: light weight, wind and water resistance, stretch components and outstanding wicking features. They come in a variety of styles that are suitable for cool spring outings to hot summer days; fortunately for our testing purposes, the last several weeks in California have seen a wide range of temps for product testing.
On the men’s side, the Mix Master Wind Shirt is something of a misnomer, in that it’s really more of a midweight running shell. It has a waffle-like interior fabric that provides a good combination of comfort and wicking, and provides strong insulation on dark, cold mornings. It’s comfortable over a single t-shirt for temps into the high 30s, but breathes well enough to keep on into the low 50s. The Torrent Shell jacket is a super lightweight shell that is perfect for long runs where you need to hold off the morning chill before the sun comes up, or for days when you have no idea what to expect when you head out the door.
The women’s products combine performance elements with feminine styling – note the flared hemlines, subtle stripes, and creative use of straps – to create products that look good even after the run is over. The Orenco is a hooded equivalent of the men’s Torrent Shell, and the Thelon shirt and tank are highly effective at moisture management for warm weather running. The unlined Afton shorts combine fairly modest coverage with nice freedom of movement without restriction.
Merrell’s entire M-Connect lineup includes more styles of shirts, jackets, socks and more.
More Info: Visit Merrell.com
