Patagonia and Merrell join forces

Hot off the wire comes news that Patagonia and Merrell have come together on a worldwide licensing agreement to produce environmentally friendly footwear, under the Patagonia label. Both have independently dabbled in this area before, so hopefully this agreement will see a extension of those earlier designs. Patagonia, who have long had a well deserved reputation for corporate environment action once did a sneaker with organic cotton uppers and also sandals with low chromium tanned leathers. Merrell have run various styles with hemp uppers (like the moc pictured) over the years and did a line with soles cut from car tyres. It will be curious to see what their combined minds can come up with this time around. Due out Spring 2007 in the US, Europe and Japan. Via ::Sports Textiles (subscription required)