****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I wanted to wait about a year to write this review - I have been searching for a shoe that will hold up to the test of time. I used issues moderate amount. I would use them to go to work during the winter since they kept my feet warm and while going on hopes during summer about once a week for an hour or two. I also use them once while doing more difficult hiking, including some rock scrambles. I was impressed with how well they gripped the ground.Pros - a very comfortable shoe, provides excellent ankle support, grip, and nearly perfect water resistance. I wouldn't stand in 4 inches of water, but the first few months my feet were completely dry through rain, mud, and snow. They definitely are a great hiking shoesCons -my feet got a little warmer in these shoes, but I was willing to make that sacrifice for the waterproofing. The real disappointment here is the durability. After around six months the waterproof mesh began to tear on the sides of the toe section. This had the unfortunate effect of letting water in while also making it very hard to dry, meaning my feet were wet all day. About a year and the soul on one of the shoes begin to fall off, letting water in even faster.I'm still in the edge about buying another pair - is a shoe worth $100 if it really only lasts half a year?(Son's Pair)Good boots, decent price. Had to return the first pair due to the upper lace hook pulling out on my second use. Luckily I was still breaking them in, and not on the trail.The return was easy, and I bought a replacement.I foolishly bought a FULL size bigger based on reco's from other backpackers of the AT (foot swell.) Wish I had gone HALF size bigger instead of full size bigger.I added an insert to the foot bed, and used a copper liner sock with my smart wool socks, so I had no blisters. Down hill hiking in the over-sized boot allowed my son's foot to slid too far forward, and he got blisters on the big toes. Easily solved with moleskin, and liner socks.The boot were very comfortable with none of the usual bulky knobs one usually finds inside of lesser boots.I would definitely recommend them, but know what your foot does during a 10-15 mile stretch so you can size accordingly.What would otherwise be a 5 Star Review is docked down to 3 Stars because of faulty loops for the laces; specifically the top pair, which are colored differently than the lower ones and are not sewn into the upper strong enough.The first pair of boots I ordered had one of these loops detach completely from the upper the first time I attempted to try them on. I was able to get a replacement pair from Amazon which came with one of these loops already loose. I was able to wear them daily for 3 weeks without any issues until one of the loops again detached from the boot this morning.This seems to be a consistent experience for those who buy this product, which is otherwise one of the best pairs of boots I have ever owned. I work on my feet and am constantly walking for 8-12 hours a day. My feet have never been sore after a long shift, nor have I ever experienced any pain after wearing them all day.If you are looking for a comfortable product to wear for any reason, I would recommend the Shoe version of this product, which does not have the top loops that are so prone to detaching.I purchased these for a hiking trip I did in the cascades in the middle of May. The boot does keep your feet dry as long as you're not in water above the tongue. they fit just a little snug width wise but not enough to deter me from buying them. The tread has excellent traction on snow, loose gravel, wet concrete and muddy trails ( all 4 we're from hiking up hill). The laces did keep feeling like they were coming loose at the top eyelet so I would have to stop and retie them but they are comfortable and so far have been durable so I would recommend them.I bought theses for EMS work because I needed a new pair of boots after my last ones got ruined pulling people out of mud. These are the most comfortable boots I've ever worn and actually have good ventilation. If anyone has worn typical EMS boots like Bates or 5.11, you know how they don't breathe well and can cause athletes foot problems wearing them for 12+ hours straight. I have not had any issues with that with these. I'v read people say the loop holes break off and I can see how the design allows that to happen. I wish Merrell had just made the loop holes in the actual shoe rather than having a external one stiched in the shoe. I have skinny feet and don't wear them tight so they have not broke on me. If you have wider feet and like wearing boots very tight, theses loop holes might break on you.I bought a pair of Merrells 10 years ago and forgot how comfortable they are. My daily wearers are normally Asics GT-1000. I bought these boots for the rare occasions I go off-road. Just like my previous Merrells, they were perfectly comfortable right out of the box - no break in period. I wore them the first day, just to test them out and they are so comfortable, that I think I'm going to switch to these for my daily wearers. My job requires me to be on my feet all day and I usually put about 5 miles a day on my feet. These are fantastic shoes - they are durable for off road walking, but are also excellent for street wear. I'll be buying another pair as a spare.This is a nicer looking new Moab design but it's way too small. I own the original Moab and the Moab 2 Ventilators and I can fit in the Medium but the wide widths are preferred for my bunions. I ordered this from Amazon and Merrell directly in a wide width and they were both way too tight compared to the other Merrell wide models. This wide fits like a medium and the medium fits like a narrow. I have to wear custom orthotics so the space was even smaller inside the toe box. If Merrell used the same sizing as the original Moab Ventilators I would have purchased 2 or 3 of these new models. It's a shame because these feel more supportive around the ankle and the Vibram Megagrip sole really secures your foot and makes it feel like athletic shoes rather than hiking boots.The size is right but the width is a bit narrow compared to other similar shoesI’m impressed lightest boots I’ve worn and good arch support. Ankle is perfect for me and it’s comfortable all around breathability is nice could be better but then you would have to sacrifice waterproofing. Overall great boots to wear to work or casuallyPurchased for my son, they fit well and he loved them. Great quality.Overall great shoes. However, returned - too narrow for me.Very nice and comfy shoe. There was not enough grip on the ankles as there is only one lace eyelet.
