The Merrells definitely aren’t as cutting edge or in vogue as those other two brands’ offerings, but the logic is the same. The midsole is made of EVA foam for ‘stability and comfort’, while EVA foam pods are also located in the rearfoot and forefoot for extra cushioning. And with enough space between the lugs, debris falls off the shoe instead of collecting and interfering with the grip. These versatile trail shoes also feature a protective rubber toe panel and a bellows tongue, designed to keep out unwanted debris as you enjoy tackling uneven routes.

Where we like wearing the boot the most, though, is where it performs the best: on water-logged, rain-soaked, and mud-covered trails. That’s apt – because for hiking up hills (and around cities, for that matter) the Merrell Zions are a great choice. As for the lugs, Merrell made it a priority to use a shape with straighter edges that can better bite into surfaces. The footbed is nice and spongy, but it’s the three-quarter-length, hardened-TPU plate—which sits between the outsole and the midsole—that provides enough support to keep our foot from fatiguing during all-day hikes. Paclite® product technology is the ideal solution for hiking, golf, travel and other activities where space and weight are critical.All GORE-TEX® Pro garments must pass Gore’s toughest test conditions and most aggressive rainstorm test. I accept the terms and conditions, and conditions of use, I have read the privacy policy and I confirm that I am over 16 years old. They were true to size for me, there was no rubbing or discomfort anywhere, and I was immediately eager to get out in them. The Gore-Tex waterproofing also lived up to its reputation, keeping my feet dry over boggy ground and during a light downpour, while the shoe build provided good stability and protection and I was pretty convinced they’d be durable enough for longer-term use. Due to their sneaker-inspired design, they fitted like a glove and I immediately felt at ease with them on my feet.

This allows your toes to splay naturally but, in this case, it would be nice to have a way of reducing the volume for those with narrower feet. But, if you are looking for a versatile shoe for a range of uses that aren’t too technical or hardcore, the Merrell Zion GTXs do live up to their billing.

Ballistic mesh is very durable but still lightweight and the leather is full grain so high quality and adds a touch of class without too much weight. A brand new lightweight hiker from Merrell, the Zion comes in a shoe and boot version, both with Gore-Tex waterproofing. We are experiencing a high volume of traffic at the moment, please bear with us whilst we load your page. They have a Gore-Tex membrane which, as you will know from the well-known brand, offers waterproof and breathable performance.

All components are built for maximized ruggedness while strict textile performance specifications ensure optimum strength.Unfortunately, these qualities make it wear down more quickly, though our pair is still in good shape. And we consider the hit on longevity a reasonable tradeoff for the assurance that we’ll stay upright on a variety of terrain. WE WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND THAT MAY RESULT FROM USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SITE. Specialised cushioning supports your feet with underfoot cushioning and arch support make Merrell shoes a fantastic choice.

We will never sell your data and you'll only get messages from us and our partners whose products and services we think you'll enjoy.For a lightweight hiking boot stability is really good thanks to a flexplate - a plate in the outsole which makes it more rigid - and the sheer depth of EVA foam. We are also impressed with the lace up closure which includes metallic eyelets, fabric loops and integrated webbing which wraps around the laces to achieve a locked in fit. At first, I was wary about a lightweight boot claiming to be durable enough for autumn/winter – but whether I was walking through a mush of slimy, autumn leaves or a precariously icy trail, the rugged boots with their Vibram Megagrip held firm.