But the story didn't end there. Recognizing that the Cushe "DNA" was too good to waste, Wolverine's designers began migrating the brand’s most successful features over to Merrell. Today, loyal Cushe fans often find the ghost of their favorite slippers living on in Merrell’s "after-sport" and lifestyle collections, where the same focus on casual comfort and "cushy" midsoles remains a staple.
The confusion often stems from the fact that after Wolverine discontinued the Cushe brand in 2015 , several of its most popular designs and comfort technologies were absorbed into the Merrell line . The Story of the "Lost" Surf Slipper did merrell buy cushe
By 2009, the brand’s unique aesthetic caught the eye of the industry giant Wolverine World Wide , which already owned massive names like Merrell and Hush Puppies. Wolverine bought Cushe, hoping to capture the "younger consumer seeking comfortable footwear". For a few years, Cushe thrived, offering an alternative to the rugged, outdoor-heavy image of its sibling, Merrell. But the story didn't end there
; instead, both brands were owned by the same parent company, Wolverine World Wide . In 2009, Wolverine World Wide acquired Cushe, a brand known for its laid-back, "surf slipper" style. The confusion often stems from the fact that
In the mid-2000s, a small group of footwear designers in the UK set out to create something different. They didn't want to make heavy hiking boots or stiff dress shoes; they wanted shoes they would actually wear on their days off. They called the brand (pronounced "Cushy"), and it quickly became a cult favorite for its "Manuka" honeycomb soles and the ultra-relaxed Surf Slipper .
Q: Are these cushe or merrell? Looks fishy! It's ... - Amazon.com
However, the retail landscape began to shift. In 2015, as part of a strategic "portfolio evaluation," Wolverine made the difficult decision to shut down Cushe. Fans of the brand were devastated, watching their favorite quirky designs disappear from shelves.