I have a serious case of FOMO, so when I spotted the coolest girls on my feed heading into a forest all wearing a pair of very chic, very trendy, slightly unexpected checked hiking shoes, I knew I had to track them down. And lucky for me, they tick every box on my sports-leisure wish list.
The hiking shoes in question? The new Sweaty Betty x Merrell collaboration, bringing together two names I’ve long had on my activewear radar. Merrell’s trail-tested expertise, paired with Sweaty Betty’s signature, style-first approach to getting outdoors, makes for a hiking shoe that’s as functional as it is fashionable. The result? A pair that makes a convincing case for touching grass and looking seriously good while doing it.
What really caught my attention is the British-inspired check pattern, which gives this trail-ready trainer a playful, heritage feel. And thanks to Claudia Winkleman's iconic The Traitors style, we all know tartan is having a moment once more. It’s an unexpected alternative to the usual pared-back hiking shoe, with an outdoorsy colour palette that looks particularly good with leggings, oversized fleeces and your favourite walking socks. And judging by what’s popping up on my feed, the fashion set is already on board.
The FW26 capsule introduces two exclusive colourways: Beige Heritage Check and Bracken Green Melon Pink. My personal pick is Beige Heritage Check, the kind of statement shoe that makes even a windswept countryside walk feel like a styling opportunity. Just look at fashion influencer @_liullland, consider me influenced.
But this isn't a shoe that relies on aesthetics alone. What I love most about this collaboration is that the Moab Speed 2 GORE-TEX® is designed for real outdoor adventures, not just Instagram-ready trail photos, something I’ve always appreciated about Merrell shoes.
First up, there’s the GORE-TEX® waterproof membrane, which helps keep feet dry while allowing breathability, a particularly welcome feature when the forecast can’t quite make up its mind. The lightweight, durable ripstop upper is built for the demands of the trail, while the padded collar and protective rubber heel and toe caps add comfort and durability.
Underfoot, a Vibram® TC5+ outsole provides traction for outdoor activities, with grip designed to help you feel more secure across varied terrain. Meanwhile, Merrell’s FloatPro™ foam midsole delivers cushioning and energy return for lasting comfort, and lightweight FlexPlate™ technology balances torsional rigidity and lateral stability with forefoot flexibility.
There’s even a bellows tongue to help keep debris out, because nobody wants half the forest coming home in their shoes. In short, these are not hiking shoes that merely look the part. They bring together the practical details you want from technical outdoor footwear with a design you’ll actually want to show off.
Ultimately, what I love about this collaboration is that it celebrates women getting outdoors together, proving that hiking can be just as much about community, connection and fresh air as it is about reaching the summit. Sweaty Betty and Merrell make a convincing case for a new kind of outdoor dressing, where performance and personal style happily coexist. Whether you’re planning a weekend in the Highlands, a muddy woodland ramble or a long walk that inevitably ends at a country pub, consider this your sign to get outside. And if you need an extra incentive, these hiking shoes might just be it.
Shop: Sweaty Betty x Merrell Collab
SB x Merrell, Women's Moab Speed 2 GORE-TEX® - Beige Heritage Check
150
SB x Merrell, Women's Moab Speed 2 GORE-TEX® - Bracken Green Melon Pink
150
Main image credit: Macy Kerrigan for Merrell
Anne Lora Scagliusi is a fashion commerce writer at Grazia with over a decade of international experience. She began her career in Dubai, covering major fashion events and global trends, and her work has appeared in Vogue, Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, and Glamour. Now based between Italy and the UK, Anne is rarely seen without one of her signature Self-Portrait dresses and believes that great style should be as practical as it is polished, especially when parenting a toddler.