Merrell x YMC: the Moab 2 Slide reworked by the London label, in Black and Dark Walnut
Merrell and YMC have teamed up for a second collaboration built around the Moab 2 Slide. The London label You Must Create takes Merrell’s outdoor mule and reworks it in two colours of brushed suede, Black and Dark Walnut, with a Vibram Ecostep sole and a more premium finish than the original version.
At Aura, this pair sums up what we look for: a shoe born from function, reinterpreted by a fashion label that knows the value of restraint.
Merrell and YMC have teamed up for a second collaboration built around the Moab 2 Slide. The London label You Must Create takes Merrell’s outdoor mule and reworks it in two colours of brushed suede, Black and Dark Walnut, with a Vibram Ecostep sole and a more premium finish than the original version.
At Aura, this pair sums up what we look for: a shoe born from function, reinterpreted by a fashion label that knows the value of restraint. Here is what you need to know about the Merrell x YMC collaboration, the Moab 2 Slide and how to fit it into an everyday wardrobe.
Merrell x YMC: a second collaboration around the Moab 2 Slide
Merrell and YMC first joined forces in spring 2025, already around the Moab 2 Slide. For autumn/winter 2026, the two brands return to the same silhouette and take the work further with new materials, new colours and a campaign built around kite flying.
The collaboration launched on 11 September 2026 exclusively at YMC, before a worldwide release from 21 September through a selection of stockists. Aura Store is one of them, with both colours available in our Rennes store and on our e-store.
Quantities per size are limited, as is often the case with this kind of collaboration.
YMC, You Must Create: thirty years of utilitarian clothing in London
YMC, short for You Must Create, was founded in London in 1995. Its name comes from a line by the industrial designer Raymond Loewy: “You must create your own design style”.
From the start, YMC drew on workwear, uniforms and functional pieces to build an understated, durable wardrobe, deliberately removed from short-lived trends.
Thirty years on, the label still blends that utilitarian base with a deeply British culture of music, art and subcultures.
That is also what makes the partnership with Merrell so coherent. YMC does not try to artificially turn an outdoor shoe into a fashion product: the silhouette and its function remain recognisable, while the work focuses mainly on materials, colours and details.
“This shoe can slot effortlessly into the life of someone who moves between the city and the outdoors. It finds its place quite naturally in the YMC uniform.”
Sage Toda-Nation, creative director of YMC. Quote adapted from the official press release.
The Moab 2 Slide: between outdoor shoe and slip-on mule
Since 1981, Merrell has built much of its identity around the hiking shoe. The Moab family has become one of its most recognisable silhouettes.
The Moab 2 Slide takes part of that language into a simpler construction: the front of the foot stays protected while the heel is open, so the pair slips on in seconds.
It still keeps elements drawn straight from the outdoors: a lugged sole, generous volume and a rubber toe bumper.
That hybrid quality is exactly what makes it interesting: an easy-to-wear mule, built with the vocabulary of a hiking shoe.
We have already touched on this relationship between function and fashion in our article on Merrell 1TRL and gorpcore .
What changes on the Moab 2 Slide x YMC
The main change is in the material. The upper uses a brushed suede, or hairy suede, whose deliberately textured surface gives the pair a softer, richer look than a traditional outdoor shoe.
At the front, a rubber toe bumper still protects the toes, keeping one of the functional features that define the Moab family.
Inside, the lining uses a breathable recycled mesh, while the footbed is covered in leather. A detail that makes particular sense on a slide likely to be worn barefoot.
The heel also features Merrell Air Cushion cushioning. Underfoot, the Vibram Ecostep Recycle sole is made from 30% recycled rubber and designed to grip on both dry and wet surfaces.
The shoe is unisex and available at Aura in sizes 40 to 45.
Black or Dark Walnut: which colour to choose?
Black is the most discreet version of the collaboration. The suede, the bumper and the sole are all black, giving the pair an almost monochrome look. It is the easiest colour to work into a wardrobe dominated by black, grey or cool tones.
Dark Walnut, by contrast, is a deep coffee brown. This shade brings out the texture of the brushed suede more and works naturally with raw denim, khaki, beige, ecru or other earthy tones.
The same colour may appear under the name Coffee on some Merrell references and on our e-store: it is the same colourway.
At Aura, our take is fairly simple: Black for a dark, minimal wardrobe, Dark Walnut for natural tones, denim and autumn colours.
The Merrell x YMC campaign: a kite-flying heritage
For this second collaboration, Merrell and YMC chose to build their campaign around kite flying.
The subject suits the philosophy of the collection: a simple, accessible outdoor pursuit that still keeps a real connection to making, to materials and to craft.
The images draw in particular on Peter Powell, the British inventor whose stunt kites left their mark on the 1970s. The series follows that world from the workshop out to wide open spaces.
Photographed in fields of dry grass under a changing sky, the campaign deliberately avoids the performance imagery usually associated with outdoor brands.
Instead, there is something more spontaneous: getting out, making things, experimenting and spending time outdoors.
How to wear the Merrell Moab 2 Slide x YMC
The Moab 2 Slide has a fairly bold sole. It works particularly well with trousers that also have some presence.
Straight or wide jeans, loose chinos or work trousers keep the proportions balanced. At YMC, silhouettes such as the Earth Deadbeat Trouser or the Painter Trouser strike that balance particularly well.
Up top, there is no need for a full outdoor look. A heavy shirt, a sweatshirt, a short jacket or a straight coat is enough. The Moab already brings the functional contrast.
With a thick sock, the pair works easily through autumn. Worn barefoot, it remains an easy slip-on for milder days and weekends.
Our advice: let the trouser hem fall naturally onto the shoe rather than stacking turn-ups. The silhouette stays cleaner that way.
Merrell x YMC Moab 2 Slide: the details
Model: Merrell Moab 2 Slide x YMC.
Collaboration: second joint project between Merrell and YMC, following a first edition in spring 2025.
Colours: Black and Dark Walnut / Coffee.
Construction: brushed suede upper, rubber toe bumper, recycled mesh lining, leather-covered footbed, Merrell Air Cushion cushioning and Vibram Ecostep Recycle sole.
Sizes available at Aura: 40 to 45, subject to availability.
Why we chose it: for the way it keeps the Moab’s functional DNA while giving it a material and a presence different enough to sit naturally in a contemporary wardrobe.
Find the Merrell x YMC at Aura
Both colours of the Moab 2 Slide x YMC are available at Aura Store, in our Rennes store and on the e-store.
Moab 2 Slide x YMC — Dark Walnut / Coffee →
See the full Merrell selection at Aura →
Discover the YMC selection at Aura →
Frequently asked questions about the Merrell x YMC
What is the Merrell Moab 2 Slide x YMC?
The Moab 2 Slide x YMC is a slip-on mule from the collaboration between Merrell, the American outdoor footwear brand, and YMC, the London label. It takes the silhouette of the Moab 2 Slide with a brushed suede upper and several finishes specific to this collaboration.
How does it differ from a standard Moab 2 Slide?
The YMC version keeps the overall architecture of the Moab 2 Slide but notably uses brushed suede, a recycled mesh lining, a leather-covered footbed and a Vibram Ecostep Recycle sole. The work focuses mainly on materials and finishes rather than a complete overhaul of the silhouette.
Are Dark Walnut and Coffee the same colour?
Yes. Dark Walnut is the name used in part of the communication around the collaboration, while Coffee appears on some product references. It is the same brown colourway.
How do I choose my size for the Moab 2 Slide x YMC?
The shoe is unisex and available at Aura in sizes 40 to 45, subject to availability. If you are between two sizes, check the size guide on the product page or contact the Aura team directly.
Where can I buy the Merrell x YMC in France?
Aura Store stocks the Merrell Moab 2 Slide x YMC in its Rennes store and on aura-estore.com, in Black and Dark Walnut / Coffee, subject to availability.
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