Merrell Announces NADA Jackets for Fall 2009

This fall Merrell Apparel is taking the idea of sustainable performance outerwear design and making it a reality when it introduces the NADA (Not Any Dye Applied) jackets at the upcoming Outdoor Retailer show on January 22-25 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Available in both a men and women style, the NADA concept pieces are meant to be both thought-provoking and inspirational. It proves that sustainable designs can retain their performance without sacrificing a garment aesthetic style. With every collection, we strive to develop a thought-provoking concept piece that provides a discussion point and design inspiration for those in the outdoor industry, said Jordan Wand, Merrell Apparel Vice President and General Manager. Given today eco-conscious mindset, with NADA we created a sustainable, technical concept piece that is on trend, yet relays a sustainable message. Merrell NADA Jackets Minimize Impact In typical performance-garment construction, dyes are used on raw fabrics and materials to help bring added style and aesthetics to each piece. Everything from a jacket lining, zippers, detailing and labels are subject to the chemical dye treatment. Though the dying process does nothing to enhance the performance of the final garment, its toll can be measured in environmental impacts. Producing a single size small women NADA jacket without the use of any dye saves 1.6 kilograms (kg) of carbon dioxide, 115.2 liters of water, 0.18 kg of chemicals and 2.47 kilowatt-hours of energy compared to the same jacket made with dyed fabrics. During the development process our team was amazed by the staggering statistics of just how much water, energy and chemicals are used to create one jacket, said Wand. We are thrilled to create a garment that stunning from the outside yet gives you modern outdoor performance on the mountain or street. The NADA pieces perform exactly the same as any of our other technical jackets while saving a vast amount of natural resources. The NADA jackets include the Nanuk for women and the Cirque for men. Both are made of 100-percent polyester and feature Merrell® Opti-Warm in the sleeves and body for added warmth and are fully seam sealed, using a 2-layer Merrell® Opti-Shell for waterproofness. Available in late August, the NADA jackets will retail for $229 and will be sold at all Merrell retail stores, on www.merrell.com and at select retail locations worldwide. About Merrell Founded in 1981, Merrell has become known as a leader in contemporary outdoor footwear. Merrell is the brand that inspires the outdoor athlete in everyone with products at the horizon of performance and style. Merrell products are sold at all Merrell retail stores, through leading retailers in the U.S. and through 44 distributors and subsidiaries around the world. Merrell has independently-owned retail locations in Nashville, Tn., Atlanta, Ga., and Huntington, N.Y.. Merrell also has company-owned stores in San Francisco, Ca., Birmingham, Al. and Tigard, Or.. For more information, please visit our Web site, www.merrell.com. About Wolverine With a commitment to service and product excellence, Wolverine World Wide, Inc. is one of the world leading marketers of branded casual, active and lifestyle, work, outdoor sport and uniform footwear and apparel. The Company portfolio of highly recognized brands includes: Bates®, Hush Puppies®, HYTEST®, Merrell® Footwear and Apparel, Sebago® and Wolverine®. The Company is also the exclusive footwear licensee of popular brands including CAT®, Harley-Davidson® and Patagonia®. The Company products are carried by leading retailers in the U.S. and globally in over 170 countries. For additional information, please visit our Web site, www.wolverineworldwide.com.