Merrell Hiking Shoes Review: 7 Awesome Shoes That Will Never Fail You

merrell-hiking-shoes-review

Since its establishment in 1981, Merrell has maintained its reputation as one of the leading companies of high-performance hiking boots.

As someone who has used their products, this fact is no surprise because I discovered that every Merrell footwear that my fellow hikers and I buy is made only with the highest quality materials which result in excellent outdoor performance.

For this reason, selecting the best one/s to use is not an easy task; yet, knowing each product's features as well as their little disadvantages will surely help you a lot in making up your mind.

If you are in a hurry and want to get an item immediately, it may be quite tempting to quickly place an order after knowing what each item can offer.

However, there are also some things you need to take note before buying, and that is what we will also do in my Merrell hiking shoes review.

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The Best Merrell Hiking Shoes For Men

Out of the numerous Merrell hiking shoes, here are the top 4 footwear for every guy who loves hiking.

1. Merrell Men’s All Out Blaze Sieve Water Shoe

Merrell Men's All Out Blaze Sieve Water Shoe

via amazon.com

When it comes to men hiking shoes, a lot of my fellow male outdoor enthusiasts recommend this footwear. At first, it appeared to me like a subtle combination of sandals and shoes when I initially saw it.

Later on, I learned that this construction, which makes it a unique footwear, is not only for style, but it also serves a lot of function.

As claimed by most of my fellow outdoor enthusiasts, this design is something that every male hiker will truly enjoy because of the comfort and breathability that it offers.

Also, the tiny holes of this shoe allow the water run out quickly and you need not worry about most of your foot and toes because they remain more protected than other sandals.

Regarding the lacing system, this shoe has an elasticised back which means that it will remain in place during casual use even when the laces get loose.

However, if you need a more secure fit for more extreme conditions, you can also adjust and tighten its laces.

When I ask my cousin who used this shoe about how this footwear works on different terrains, he said that this shoe has the best traction when you trek on wet and slippery surfaces.

He also added that it dries very fast after it has been in the water. It is also very durable although some claim that it has poor stitching.

Pros:

  • Unique construction
  • Breathable
  • Durable
  • Perfect choice for wet and slippery surfaces
  • Excellent traction
  • Comfortable
  • Great lacing system
  • Protects feet and toes well

Cons:

  • Tiny holes can let pebbles enter
  • Average stitching

2. Merrell Men's Moab Ventilator Mid Hiking Boot

Merrell Men's Moab Ventilator Mid Hiking Boot

via amazon.com

If you want to experience an out-of-the-box comfort when wearing a shoe for your next outdoor adventure, you can try to purchase this ventilated hiking shoes.

Any shoe buyers would surely love its leather and mesh upper that provides breathability and protection. The bellows tongue of the shoe will also amaze you as it keeps the debris out. It also contains a synthetic leather toe cap and heel counter.

What also makes anyone like this boot is that the air cushion in the heel helps add stability and absorb shock while the compression molded EVA foot frame also gives cushioning and support.

This outstanding product of Merrell can keep your feet dry because it has a breathable mesh lining wicks. Furthermore, it also contains molded nylon arch shank and 5mm lug depth.

This Merrell shoe is one of the boots that have numerous positive reviews because of its excellent features which include M Select FIT.ECO, a trademark technology of Merrell for its EVA contoured footbed which also has extra heel support and zonal arch.

The only disadvantage that I notice with this boot is that it may not be the best boot for long backpacking adventures and wet situations.

Pros:

  • Highly breathable
  • Very Flexible and lightweight
  • Rubber toe bumpers give excellent toe protection
  • Out-of-the-box comfort
  • Provides maximum support and stability
  • Keeps feet dry

Cons:

  • Not the best shoe for long backpacking adventures
  • Not the ideal boot for wet situations

3. Merrell Men's Moab Ventilator Hiking Shoe

Merrell Men's Moab Ventilator Hiking Shoe

via amazon.com

If you are searching for a boot that works hard on any warm-weather treks, this shoe is one of your best options on the market.

This boot contains dura leather/nylon ventilator mesh uppers that give ample flexibility, breathability, and support for long-lasting performance. It also has protective rubber toe bumpers that offer abrasion-resistance and durability.

This hiking shoe also has a mesh-padded tongue that protects instep against lace pressure without compromising its breathability.

When you use this shoe in warm conditions, the nylon mesh linings of the shoe absorb and disperse the excess moisture so your feet will be more comfortable.

This product comes with removable 4.5mm footbeds that are anatomically shaped and provide cushioning for enhanced comfort. The EVA midsoles that are full-length, compression-molded offers all-day support and cushioning.

The Air Cushion® heel pockets of the shoe help stabilize footstrike and give additional shock-absorption under heels while the nylon arch shanks ensure more support and stability.

The outsole of the shoe that has Trek and Super Trek rubber deliver excellent traction on dry and wet surfaces. All these qualities make this shoe stand out among other items although, like any other footwear, it is still not free from a few drawbacks.

One area of improvement is its weight because this shoe is quite on the heavy side. Also, some of my fellow male hikers say that it may not be the best footwear for rugged terrains.

Pros:

  • Ideal shoe for warm-weather treks
  • Great traction
  • Breathable
  • Comfortable
  • Effectively absorbs shocks
  • Provides maximum stability and support

Cons:

  • Quite heavy
  • Not the best shoe for rugged terrains

4. Merrell Men's Moab Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot

 Merrell Men's Moab Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot

via amazon.com

Another footwear I discovered from my cousin are these hiking shoes which provide maximum support, flexibility, and durability because of its nylon ventilator and waterproof dura leather.

Because of this feature, he said he is very confident that this footwear will last long.

Apart from this quality, these shoes also have mesh padded tounges which are very helpful because it will protect your insteps against lace pressure. While doing so, it also ensures that it does not compromise breathability.

The seam-sealed inner booties of this footwear utilize M-Select DRY technology of Merrell, a unique proprietary lightweight fabric which works by inhibiting water droplets from entering the exterior.

The said technology also blocks wind shear while allowing moisture to escape.

Do away with unwanted odors because the linings of this shoe are treated with AEGIS antimicrobial technology and worry not about bumps and abrasions because the heel wraps and synthetic toe bumpers will surely provide maximum protection to your feet from these annoying instances.

The footbeds add cushioning, giving extreme comfort to anyone who wears it. They are also removable while the full-length compression-molded EVA midsoles provide cushioning which results in an adequate support for your whole hiking day.

Air-cushioned heels, on the other hand, are excellent in absorbing shock under your heels. They also help in stabilizing foot strike while the molded nylon arch shanks enhance stability when you explore uneven terrains.

Regarding the outermost layer, this footwear has Vibram Multi-Sport outsoles that have 5mm lugs and TC5+ rubber, offering traction which you can rely on whether you are venturing on dry or wet surfaces.

This Merrell shoe is indeed one of the best male hiking footwear that you can buy although, according to my cousin, they are quite narrow and take a long time to dry.

Pros:

  • Durable
  • Offers excellent breathability
  • Waterproof
  • Prevents any unwanted odor
  • Comfortable
  • Protects feet from bumps and abrasions

Cons:

  • Quite narrow
  • Long drying time

The Best Merrell Hiking Shoes For Women

Merrell indeed has produced a lot of quality shoes and boots, but these 3 products are the best items I have tested and used.

1. Merrell Women's Moab Ventilator Hiking Shoe

Merrell Women's Moab Ventilator Hiking Shoe

via amazon.com

The materials that constitute Merrell Moab Ventilator are fabric and leather which make the shoe extremely breathable and durable at the same time. The sole, on the other hand, is a durable undersurface made by Vibram, and it gives aggressive and grippy tread pattern.

This footwear is available in three various colors which are Grey/Periwinkle, Bungee cord, and Boulder/Blush which, for me, are all attractive and stylish.

Apart from these qualities, one thing that I extremely like about this footwear is that it can handle almost any surfaces, even the roughest terrains, and you can still rest assured that it will prevent you from slipping.

Also, this shoe will allow you to have a complete range of motion because it will surely rest well below your ankle.

If you are searching for a very comfortable hiking shoe, I highly recommend this item. It has a soft plush cushion on its tongue and collar. Also, it uses an Ortholite footbed which maximizes the support that it gives to the undersurface of your foot.

Moreover, this hiking shoe has a breathable mesh which prevents your feet from getting too hot. It also dries fast after exposure to water. Without a doubt, I can say that this shoe is best Merrell's hiking footwear for women.

When it comes to the disadvantages, I can say that there is almost none except for the fact that this product has a little to no break-in period which is not a big deal for me because this thing is common in other products too.

The other con is perhaps is its small size which, again, is just a minimal problem because you can simply go with the size next to yours, so you will get what fits your feet.

Pros:

  • Durable
  • Extremely Comfortable
  • Can withstand any terrain
  • Keeps the feet dry
  • Quickly dries after it gets exposed to water
  • Breathable
  • Excellent Construction
  • Attractive

Cons:

  • Requires a little break-in period
  • Quite small in size

2. Merrell Women's All Out Blaze Aero Sport Hiking Water Shoe

https://cleveradventurer.com/?p=1514&preview=true#tab-con-14

via amazon.com

These shoes are my another favorite hiking shoe because they are very versatile. I said so because I can wear them on almost any terrain.

They are also available in various colors including Beige/Khaki, Dark Slate, Sea Pine, and Black/Aventurine. The one I used is the Blue Heaven.

I noticed that most hiking boots look quite bulky, but this footwear is quite different. It has a unique and fashionable style, so I also use them often even when I am not hiking or doing any outdoor activity.

These shoes also provide a nice grip as well as excellent support for my feet which never gets hurt when I wear it, something which is very uncommon because I always find my feet hurting during most of my trips.

Another thing which makes me love these shoes so much is the fact that they are so light.

I have come across different footwear for almost all of my trips, and most of them are heavy which is a disadvantage because heavy shoes or boots can make my feet and leg get tired quickly.

The Merrell Omni-Fit lacing system of this footwear gives a glove-like fit while the bellows tongue keeps out debris. Also, it has molded TPU heel counter for maximum comfort and stability.

Meanwhile, the mesh lining which is extremely breathable is treated with M Select FRESH. This feature helps eliminate unpleasant odors. All Out Blaze Aero Sport utilizes UniFly midsole which effectively protects your feet from any rough terrain.

For impact absorption and traction, this footwear has Vibram rubber outsole.

The only drawback is perhaps the insole which is not removable, unlike most Merrell shoes. Also, these shoes are "water shoes" and not "waterproof" shoes which means that they are best to use for activities where your feet are most likely to get wet.

Pros:

  • Comfortable to use
  • Attractive
  • Suitable in almost any terrain
  • Provides excellent grip
  • Lightweight
  • Vegan friendly

Cons:

  • Non-removable insole
  • Not fully waterproof

3. Merrell Women's Moab Waterproof Hiking Boot

Merrell Women's Moab Waterproof Hiking Boot

via amazon.com

When it comes to lightweight footwear, this another Merrell product has a cutting edge. Apart from its weight, however, this shoe still has a lot of wonderful features which all drove me crazy when I first wore them.

One of these features is its excellent traction. Because I hike so often, I experience many types of trails that have different terrains.

For this reason, I should always look for footwear that has a great amount of grip and which have high-quality traction.

With its Vibram outsole, I can rest assured that I am always on the right way. Also, the rubber is designed to handle any surface. Another outstanding quality is its waterproof membrane.

The manufacturer sews the waterproof material right into the shoe. This material can keep my feet dry all the time without losing its breathability.

During a tough hike, Moab Hiking Shoe is footwear that you can always rely on because it will surely keep your feet secure.

This thing is true because it has an extra padding around its ankle, making the shoes extremely comfortable while its Ortholite footbed gives extra support.

For maximum safety, this shoe also has a rubberized toe cap. Hence, when your feet accidentally hit hard surfaces, you need not worry about getting broken or bruised toes.

When it comes to drawbacks, I could hardly think of any. Please keep in mind, however, that this shoe, like any other footwear, requires a short break in period. Also, some hikers claim that the laces get untied quickly.

Pros:

  • Excellent traction
  • Extremely breathable
  • Elastic shoelaces for flexibility
  • Keeps feet dry
  • Comfortable
  • Has Rubber toe cap for extra protection

Cons:

  • Shoe laces untie easily
  • Requires a break in period

Conclusion:

Did you enjoy the list that I just presented?

The shoes that you wear are your partners when you go hiking, and they can make or break your outdoor experience.

Hence, it is always wise to take as much time as you can to evaluate the features of each item to find out which one is worth bringing in your trek.

Thankfully, because of the different quality footwear that Merrell makes, you do not have to search any further. You just need to find which pair will suit your needs the best.

If you think my Merrell hiking shoes review has helped you find the right footwear for you, please do not hesitate to tell us your insights by posting them in the comments section below, or feel free to share this list with your friends.

About the Author

Lauren Reese

I'm Laura. I have a huge passion for hiking and camping. Lying under the star beside the tent and camping fire with my team is the ultimate nature getaway to me. I wish to share my experience during the adventure with you through this blog. Feel free to read my stories and leave some comments if you like.

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