The shoe brand and running nonprofit, Trail Sisters, will hit the road to promote women’s participation in trail running.
Merrell launched two new, eye-popping versions of its Antora and Banshee models. And these women’s-specific collabs carry unique styling.
Bold, color-splashed mountain scenes and inspirational quotes give rise to a shoe unlike any other. The goal? Increase women’s representation and opportunity in running and outdoor sports through the partnership with Trail Sisters.
The nonprofit’s mission is to “increase women’s participation and opportunity in trail running through inspiration, education, and empowerment.”
To help further that mission, Trail Sisters founder Gina Lucrezi is going on tour. She will lead group runs and speak at seven REI stores. She’ll also discuss her partnership with Merrell and introduce a screening of the brand’s newest film, “The Ripple Effect.”
Merrell Antora & Banshee Collab
Lucrezi’s experience in the wilder, freer environs of trail runs inspires the design and palette of the new shoe models. Artist and fellow Trail Sister, Sarah Uhl, created a vista view with bold and bright colors around the shoe’s upper.
As an ultrarunner, Lucrezi is no stranger to motivational mantras, and Uhl incorporated some of those in script around the toes for an inspirational touch.
Performance-wise, the Antora is an 8mm-drop trail shoe for moderate terrain. It includes a midsole engineered for women, with EVA in the mid and insole, and a Vibram outsole with adaptive lugs. The Banshee offers a lower version with grippy outsole. It will be available in late March.
A portion of sales will fund the Trail Sisters Adventure Grant, which will provide recipients with a running gear kit and $500 toward the adventure of their choice.
The 2020 Celebration Tour runs April 7 to May 5. Stops at REI include the following locations: Denver; Salt Lake City; Portland, Oregon; Saratoga, California; Austin, Texas; Cary, North Carolina; and King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.
Merrell’s Antora x Trail Sisters shoes ($120) are available here.
