Merrell Hiking Shoes

[ULWalkingPhil]

Hi, Some of you are probably aware of the dramas I am having with finding a pair of Leather boots to fit me.
I own a pair of Zamberlan Baffin boots that keeping causing major blisters on my heels, I've tried many solutions and all suggestions, nothing has worked for me. I'm at the conclusion now that the Zamberlan boots are not for me.

So I've decided to do away with the heavier Leather Boots and seriously look into shoes, in Particular the Merrol Shoes.
I've done some online research and found some great reviews on the Merrol shoes, in particular the Merrell MOAB VENTILATOR Shoes.

The local Athlete feet Shoe store here, sells the Merrell MOAB MID GTX Shoes. I just been to try them on, They had both the size 10 and 11. tried them both, Size 10 feels a better fit for me, particularly around the heel. Just a tad tight on the sides, but I believe they will stretch to fit my fit width? The size 11's did feel nice, probably to loose for my liking, worried with time they will become to loose.

The Athlete Store here sells them for 249.00. Would not budge on the price one bit, so I said I will think about it.

One thing I noticed with the shoes, which has me a bit concerned, is the soles did not feel as rigid as what I would have expected them to be. I could easily grab the shoes and twist them. I was once advised to always purchase shoes that are rigid when you try to twist them. What are your thoughts on this?

I do like the shoes. They felt light and they do have Vibram Soles.

If I could hear from anyone that own the Merrel shoes in particular this model on your thoughts?

[ULWalkingPhil]

I did purchase myself a pair of hiking boots from the local Aldi store a couple days ago for only 39.95 and they feel great. the support is very good, but I don't imagine them lasting to well on a long one week hike carrying a backpack, hence why I'm looking at the Merrel shoes.

I seen this one on sale at mainpeak that looks pretty good. It's not a mid height boot, but has Nubuck Leather, which I probably imagine would last a lot longer than the shoes above?

http://www.mainpeak.com.au/outdoor/footwear/125627.html

[Turfa]

I have been wearing the Merrells for the past 6 years. Originally the Mesa Ventilators, but now the Moab Ventilators that replaced them. I always get the low cut version. For me they are the perfect shoe. I travel fairly light & do not feel the need for heavy boots. They are extremely comfortable (for me), lightweight & give great grip on a wide range of surfaces (only beaten out by my Volleys on wet rock !). I like the flexibility in the sole as it gives me a better feel for the ground surface. I have used them in a wide range of conditions, from hot & sweaty Australian summers to winter blizzards in the eastern US in knee deep snow, to calf deep sucking mud. They are mostly mesh so they are cool in the hot weather. However, being mesh they make no effort to keep you feet dry, but if they do get wet they dry out really quickly. it's only a couple of hours from squelching to dry feet. I find them quite durable, getting on average about 1500km out of a pair before they start to break up or go soft in the sole.
They are my favourite shoes !

[cams]

I've been using Merrell's as my day to day shoe for probably the last 6 or 7 years. Been through 4 pairs, all low cut. My current ones are the low cut version of the Moab Ventilators. Mine usually fail in the heel lining first. Probably from me not taking enough care when putting them on. I did try a couple of pairs of their boots last year and they were much too narrow. I think the low cut might be more forgiving in the width or something. Although I do still get some small blisters on the outside of my toes on decent walks (more of an individual fit thing though).

I haven't used them much for bushwalking in the last couple of years though. Mainly using either a pair of Vasque boots or most recently a pair of innov8 trail runners. I had problems with blisters with my boots too. I eventually found a combination of socks and tightening that worked(in combination with sacrificing a virgin to the foot gods before each walk). Half the time I still taped my heel just in case. Loving the innov8's atm mainly because I can just put them on and go. They just fit, or if they don't they're flexible enough for it not to matter.

[rogo]

I had a pair of Merrell boots for a while. I didn't like the way they made you foot move. It sorta had a forward rolling motion when you walked. Odd sensation to describe, but it made my foot go onto my toes too much for me. I gave them up after a short while.

I had pairs of Merrell shoes for working and loved them. Very comfy and I didn't notice that foot rolling in them. Maybe it was just that style of boot. I don't remember the name but it was womens.

ro

[sthughes]

Only $87.45 + postage at E-OMC! Worth a try at that price. Notice they have them in wide and normal fits - any idea which you tried on?

[Nuts]

Thats a great price, probably be fine on 'dry' tracks or with light weights.
Mine were the Merrelll GTX Moab mids, i wore them for three weeks (with 20-25kg pack), would post a pic if i could find all the bits
Thery were not waterproof and (maybe wide sized) loose fitting and very soft underfoot.

[sthughes]

Was that just on the OT Nuts, or somewhere off track?

[Nuts]

Just guided OT mate, they arent exactly 'in bits' yet but i retired them as i thought they wouldnt last another one. At That price (iirc i paid $170), they might be a good daywalk boot, wouldnt bother with the GTX though..

[ULWalkingPhil]

Only $87.45 + postage at E-OMC! Worth a try at that price. Notice they have them in wide and normal fits - any idea which you tried on?

Size 10 and 11. Don't know if they where a wide fit or not. I don't think they where.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Only $87.45 + postage at E-OMC! Worth a try at that price. Notice they have them in wide and normal fits - any idea which you tried on?

That is a good price, I just don't know if I could trust that USPS postal service again. I'm waiting on 3 orders from the states now, that I ordered two weeks ago and so far nothing and the online tracking don't indicate anything, according to it, the items have not left the states, has not been updated for a week now. I have no idea where my orders are or even if they have left the states yet. I couldn't go threw that again, so as good that price is, there's no way I'm using USPS.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Thats a great price, probably be fine on 'dry' tracks or with light weights.
Mine were the Merrelll GTX Moab mids, i wore them for three weeks (with 20-25kg pack), would post a pic if i could find all the bits
Thery were not waterproof and (maybe wide sized) loose fitting and very soft underfoot.

I'm planning on carrying 15 to 17 Kg on my back, upto a weeks hike. Mostly on formed hiking tracks, such as the great walks up in QLD and the OT in feb next year and lots of day hikes in between.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Just came upon this shoe overseas. Looks like a nice durable boot.
http://www.backcountry.com/merrell-ridg ... -boot-mens

This could be a option for me. Particularly with the longer walks with my pack.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Just came upon this shoe overseas. Looks like a nice durable boot.
http://www.backcountry.com/merrell-ridg ... -boot-mens

This could be a option for me. Particularly with the longer walks with my pack.

Seriously considering ordering these shoes from backcountry. they appear to have a more sturdy sole than the ones sold locally here. I was not to sure I liked the soles, felt to soft for my liking, and the pair sold locally are just way overpriced. I did try knocking them down a bit on the price with no success. Local online stores in Australia have them listed at 170.00 on sale. This is what you get living in a small town. We get ripped off a lot. I try to support locally, but at those prices, I just can't afford to support locally.

I think, I'll order the ones from backcountry within the next few hours, unless someone has a better suggestion. Basically want something that will last, is durable and most important, No blisters. I've had enough of blisters. It takes all the fun out of hiking.

[sthughes]

Depending on the size you're after Sierra Trading Post have them almost $40 less than Backcountry, not sure about postage though.

[Jellybean]

I've always found Sierra Trading Post to be very reliable and with reasonable postage charges (unlike Backcountry who tend to charge like wounded bulls for postage, but have a good range of gear?).

Phil, USPS are slow and aren't great with their tracking but I've used them alot and have never had a parcel go astray. Your parcels will turn up.
(I'm also waiting for something that I ordered 3 weeks ago and, according to their tracking, hasn't left the US, but it will probably suddenly turn up without the tracking being updated).

[ULWalkingPhil]

Depending on the size you're after Sierra Trading Post have them almost $40 less than Backcountry, not sure about postage though.

Hmmm, that is very tempting at that price. Even with the long shipping wait.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Depending on the size you're after Sierra Trading Post have them almost $40 less than Backcountry, not sure about postage though.

Bummer US shipping only. Looks like backcountry it will have to be.

[gayet]

Using shipitto might still be cheaper - STP can send it to a US address they send it on to you. Could be less than $40

[ULWalkingPhil]

Using shipitto might still be cheaper - STP can send it to a US address they send it on to you. Could be less than $40

I would need the shoes within 3 weeks for a one week hike. I don't think it would arrive in time if I used ship to.

[baronessbunyip]

Phil, use the backcountry chat option and see if they will price-match the price of the boots at Sierra Trading Post. They have some restrictions on what they will price-match but usually they will and I've done it successfully when purchasing boots from backcountry before (saved about $40), so worth a shot. The only thing is they have to be in the same colour and size at both places. If you copy the STP link for them in chat they will check it out, but be ready to order straight away if they say yes. The person on chat will process the order for you (have your credit card ready) and then it usually ships within a day.

If backcountry will price-match you may as well get them to post them direct to you. The shipping seems expensive but boots are expensive to post anyway and you would not save a lot by getting them forwarded to shipito (I've tried, and shipito scales can be a bit on the heavy side when it comes to weighing your package, although their service is very good). Good luck with it.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Anyone own a pair of the Merrell Mix Masters?

Walked past The local Athlete Foot Store today and they had a sale on, couldn't resist taking a look and saw these shoes on sale. There very light, on my scales they come in just a tad over 250 grams each and they feel very comfortable.

Curious, if anyone owns a pair, how durable are they? Planning on taking them with me for a One week hike. Wouldn't want them to full apart on me during the hike.

[ULWalkingPhil]

By the way, I've solved my dramas I've had with blisters by not purchasing big heavy waterproof boots. I used to think you had to have the best waterproof boots on the market that are as stiff as a board to protect your feet, This is what you get told when you walk into these outdoor stores here in Australia. It's not true, Not for me. Ever since I've changed to ultra light weight hiking shoes, my hiking has improved immensely. Shoes I currently wearing are GoLite's.

These lightweigh Merrells look interesting.

[Overlandman]

I havn't tried the Merrell barefoot range, but I do have 9 pair of Merrell's, I wear the Moab on the track, & although I know they wont last for years like Scarpa leather boots, they suit my foot, are lite, comfortable & so far keep the water out, vibram soles are also a must. The Merrell dress shoes are excellent, I have 1 x kahuna sandals, a pair of the water maipo, Jungle moc & world legend dress shoes, refuge, chameleon x 2 different types, moab & Intercept, I only buy them on special, sometimes locally & sometimes on the net.
Regards Overlandman

[ULWalkingPhil]

Thanks Overlandman.

Have you had experience with the Merrell's own brand Rubber sole's ? I thought the shoes I purchased did have vibram soles on them, as when I was down Brisbane way, I saw a pair similar to these that had Vibram soles. To be honest I didn't realise that these where not Vibram till I got them home. I'm not overly concerned unless the soles do have very poor ratings. The main thing is they appear to fit my foot very well. Although I need to test this on some hikes.

[Bluegum Mic]

They're almost as bright as my (new) new balance shoes...almost...well not quite

[ULWalkingPhil]

Check these out.

I've been wearing these on some of my hikes of late.

And here are the Merrell Mix Masters, just to confirm they are shoes and not some sort of kitchen appliance.

[dar_sbb]

Hey Guys

sorry to bring up an old thread, but there has been some good info here.

I have a North Face goretex boot for proper hiking but im looking for a mid range shoe for all other activities. Small hikes, rock climbing (mainly indoor). Something that might get wet or muddy. I also do some 4wding so something that i can also drive comfortably in. An all purpose shoe.

There has been some positive reviews on the moab ventilator. I was looking at either this or the Chameleon 4 Stretch.

From what i can tell, the chameleon is a more dry weather shoe/sneaker where as the the moab is inbetween this and a hiking boot.

Any help would be welcomed. thanks!

[Lindsay]

I wear Moab Ventilators as my everyday footwear. They are very comfortable and after about 18 months of continual use are still in excellent shape. Although I have done very little bushwalking in them I'm confident that they would handle 'off road' conditions with no problems.

[Strider]

I wear Moab Ventilators as my everyday footwear. They are very comfortable and after about 18 months of continual use are still in excellent shape. Although I have done very little bushwalking in them I'm confident that they would handle 'off road' conditions with no problems.

Me too, although I find them a bit soft soled for bushwalking and my feet get fatigued after only an hour or so.

Also had the short version of the model in the original post, and they squeaked constantly.