The collaboration reimagines two Merrell icons through P.A.M.’s experimental lens, celebrating fluidity, transformation, and the spaces between city and outside.
Merrell, a global leader in modern outdoor category, announces a new collaboration with Perks and Mini (P.A.M.), the Melbourne-based independent brand known for it’s wearable mutations of art, music, psy-activity, and subculture. Together, the two brands have created a collection rooted in the idea of thriving in-between spaces, neither fully city nor fully outside, but somewhere more fluid, expressive, and open to transformation.
Founded in Melbourne in 2000 by Misha Hollenbach and Shauna Toohey, P.A.M. approached Merrell with a story that made the partnership feel personal from the outset: after his shoes broke down on a 50-mile bike ride, Hollenbach finished the journey in a pair of Hydro Mocs, a shoe he often takes when bike packing. For this collaboration, the duo reimagines two iconic Merrell silhouettes, the Chameleon and the Hydro Moc, as the Cham Storm GORE-TEX® and Hydro Next Gen Moc, exploring amphibian life and environments through form, texture, and function.
“I’m really proud of what P.A.M has made with Merrell. From concept, to design, to quality and innovation of storytelling. It’s a collaboration about why it’s so important for humans to work together. It’s clear that our values on this align,” said Shauna Toohey, founder of Perks and Mini.
The Cham Storm GORE-TEX® x P.A.M. reinterprets the original Chameleon for modern performance and lifestyle wearability. Designed with amphibian life in mind, the style features a toggle quick-lace system for easy on, easy off functionality, an engineered mesh upper with a custom 3D silicone treatment that gives the shoe a reptile-like appearance, and GORE-TEX® waterproof technology for breathable, waterproof protection. A molded TPU heel counter adds security, while a rough sand spray finish introduces another layer of texture. Underfoot, a FloatMax™ foam midsole is designed to deliver a soft, smooth ride.
The Hydro Next Gen Moc x P.A.M. evolves the original Hydro Moc into a more sculptural amphibious silhouette built to move easily from water to land. The style is designed for an easy on/off experience with maximum underfoot cushioning, pairing comfort with an EVA foam upper for a lightweight, flexible fit. A speckled upper pattern and flecked sidewalls add texture and depth, while a FloatMax foam midsole creates a soft, smooth underfoot feel. A bubble eye detail, with lenticular effect, examines the surrounding habitat.
“The Perks and Mini team is a true creative force, and what made this collaboration exciting was the way their perspective pushed us to see familiar design in a completely new way,” said Noreen Naroo-Pucci, Global Chief Product Officer at Merrell. “With the Cham Storm GORE-TEX® and Hydro Next Gen Moc, we were able to explore a collection that feels expressive, immersive, and highly functional, designed for people who move fluidly between environments, whether that’s the city, on the trails, or through the water.”
The campaign comes to life through video and stills directed by Milan-based film collective NO TEXT AZIENDA with mind-bending body paint by Tokyo-based special effects makeup artist Amazing Jiro, in a creative process realized entirely by humans. Built around perception, transformation, and shifting perspective, the film draws viewers into a surreal visual world that reveals itself gradually – bringing the collaboration’s in-between sensibility to life in a way that feels strange, striking, and distinctly P.A.M.
To celebrate the launch, Merrell and P.A.M. will host in-store launch celebrations featuring DJ sets from local artists across key cities worldwide. The events will span from Sydney at the P.A.M. Store, to Seoul at Worksout, Tokyo at Worksout, Weekends in Chengdu, London at Goodhood, and New York at Hatchet Supply, creating a shared global celebration of music, art, and community.
The Merrell x Perks and Mini collaboration will be available globally at select retailers, on Merrell.com and PerksAndMini.com beginning July 9, 2026. The Hydro Next Gen Moc x P.A.M. will retail for $120, and the Cham Storm GORE-TEX® x P.A.M. will retail for $190.