On the contrary, Merrell hiking shoes provide stability through the cushioning and stiffness of the midsole. Many hiking shoes provide excellent stability despite not having high-top cuffs. The Merrel MQM Flex 2 GTX is the best Merrell hiking shoe for speed hiking. The MQM Flex 2 GTX is super lightweight, has excellent traction, and is incredibly comfortable on the trail. Which Merrell hiking shoe is best for water hiking? Delivery timescales are esimates in working days; Public Holidays, Saturday's and Sunday's are NOT classed as working days.

Delivery timescales are based on working days; Public Holidays, Saturday's and Sunday's are NOT classed as working days. Considering you will be spending hours on end exploring different terrains in these hiking shoes, comfort is one of the most important factors. They are lightweight for hiking shoes, weighing only 1 pound and 11 ounces or 765 grams. At first, they might feel a little stiff, but after the break-in period, which is minimal, they become more flexible. The durability of Merrel’s hiking shoes is related to material choice, the technology used, duration of use, terrain type, and how the shoes are stored. You can’t talk about Merrell and not talk about the Moab. The “mother of all boots” is their flagship shoe. Today, we are specifically comparing the Alverstone to the Moab 2. This hiking shoe has many similar features- including M Select Dry for waterproofness, 5mm lugs, Merrell heel air cushion, and is made from suede and mesh. This is also paired with another M Select technology- the Dry Membrane. This is Merrell’s very own waterproofing technology. It works well but because this is a low-rise shoe, I still wouldn’t recommend crossing a river or splashing around in them. Water can still easily enter the shoe through the top.The Gore-Tex membrane made sure that our feet didn't suffer in the rain, either. Together with a fully gusseted tongue, the waterproofing kept out the worst of the weather, and our feet remained bone dry. As hiking shoe designs and technology improve, more avid hikers are transitioning away from hiking boots. This is true for fans of Merrell footwear, also. Instead, they are hitting the trails with Merrell hiking shoes. And for good reasons. Taking a look at a different brand, the X Ultra 3 GTX from Salomon is a great looking shoe that you can wear to the peaks, the gym, and the store. They are the lightest option in this article, weighing only 1 pound and 7 ounces or 760 grams.

As with most Merrell’s, the durability of this shoe is nothing to worry about. They are made from strong materials that are paneled together thoughtfully. The upper of the Alverstone is made from suede and mesh. Along the bottom of the shoe, you will find a rubber outsole. For added durability, there is a rubber toe cap. This is a shoe that wants to run, and we found ourselves bounding along the trail! We twisted the shoe in the lab, awarding it a 4/5 for torsional rigidity, putting it among the more rigid shoes. Our force gauge confirmed these findings, registering a whopping 54N for flexibility - a big change from the average of 36.4N. Evidently rigid, it has excellent rebound, and we felt it was a cross between a trail running and a hiking shoe. Toe bumper technology is a critical component of a shoe’s durability. The fronts of our shoes go through intense wear and tear on the trail. As a result, separating between the upper and midsole or outsole is a common failure point. Toe caps help prevent this, like those on the Merrel Moab 3. Breathable and waterproof options from Merrel Merrell has been making high-quality performance gear since 1981. What started as a business primarily focused on designing and manufacturing hiking boots has developed into one of the industry’s most trusted brand names, especially regarding hiking shoes. There is no doubt that the Merrell Moab 3 is a highly breathable shoe. Our microscope images showed large ventilation holes in the tightly woven fabric, and when we performed our traditional smoke test, it scored an impressive 4/5 for breathability. 5 is the most breathable, and the average for hiking shoes is 2.3, so the Moab 3 definitely classes as breathable!

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The cushioned midsole kept a spring in our step while out hiking. In the lab, we applied a durometer and found the midsole measures 36 HA. 9% firmer than average, it kept our feet protected from sharp objects, while still giving that cushioned feel which kept us going all day. The tongue of the Alverstone is anchored on both sides, which not only improves the fit and comfort, but it also helps to keep debris out. The shoes provide good arch support, but as I mentioned before, the insole is removable and replaceable. We performed extensive lab analyses and took all our Merrell shoes on test hikes to find out which was the most breathable. The winner was hands down the Merrell Moab 3 which comes in top place for its superbly breathable upper, grippy outsole, and stability, making it an excellent choice for long day hikes in summer! Frequently asked questions Is Gore-Tex the only type of waterproof material in Merrell hiking shoes? From time to time carriers may deliver earlier or later, or on non working days however this is cannot be guaranteed nor should it be expected.

The Merrell All Out Blaze Sieve is the best Merrell hiking shoe for water hiking. The shoe is lightweight and has impressive traction underfoot, even when wet or underwater. We also like the All Out Blaze Sieve for water hiking because of the protective toe cap. Your toes will feel protected even if you can’t see through the water. Which Merrell hiking shoe is the best for my budget? Some hiking boots can also be more expensive than hiking shoes. Purchasing Merrell hiking shoes is a great way to get all the traction and support you love about hiking boots for a more economical price. It is a common trend to believe that support, specifically ankle support, comes from the high-top cuff of hiking boots. Consequently, it’s common to believe that Merrell hiking shoes do not provide adequate stability because they have low-cut cuffs around the ankle. However, this is simply not true. Low-cut Merrell hiking shoes still offer stability To put it simply, comfort is subjective. In other words, what is comfortable for one person may not be comfortable for someone else. The comfort someone receives from a shoe will depend on how that shoe interacts with the specific characteristics of their feet.

High cuffs provide stability, but only when the cuffs are noticeably stiff. If the cuff is soft and flexible, it may not provide any extra stability.