Posted: 10/6/2013 3:09:35 PM EDT
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So I'm on the market for a new pair of hiking shoes and I'm pretty much stuck on Merrells. My question is, is spending the extra $20 worth it for the "waterproof/q-dry" shoes? It seems that all they do is spray them down probably with a wax or silicone waterproofing material, and many reviews say they aren't too waterproof. I'm tempted to just buy the MOAB ventilators and spray some waterproof stuff that I use on tents and packs to get the same effect.
Thoughts? |
| Maybe Merrells have changed...and it sounds like you have already bought them, but the only experience I have had with them was serious foot pain. The durability of them didn't hold up, and the width and arch was way off for my feet. I had the shoe dude hook me up doing all the measuring and things, but it was a bad deal...maybe just a fluke, but I haven't went back since. |
| They make both a "waterproof" shoe and Gore-Tex shoe in some models with the waterproof version being slightly cheaper. I bought the "waterproof" version and wish I had spent a few extra bucks on the Gore-Tex ones. Even wound up have Merrell exchange them and even the new ones still leak. My advice: Avoid waterproof and splurge on the Gore-Tex. |
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Quoted:
Maybe Merrells have changed...and it sounds like you have already bought them, but the only experience I have had with them was serious foot pain. The durability of them didn't hold up, and the width and arch was way off for my feet. I had the shoe dude hook me up doing all the measuring and things, but it was a bad deal...maybe just a fluke, but I haven't went back since. I think you feet just didn't agree with them, and that's no slight to you. To each his own. I have had noting but positive experiences and the reviews I have read have been overwhelmingly so. |
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Quoted: So I'm on the market for a new pair of hiking shoes and I'm pretty much stuck on Merrells. My question is, is spending the extra $20 worth it for the "waterproof/q-dry" shoes? It seems that all they do is spray them down probably with a wax or silicone waterproofing material, and many reviews say they aren't too waterproof. I'm tempted to just buy the MOAB ventilators and spray some waterproof stuff that I use on tents and packs to get the same effect. Thoughts? i dont bother..not with the moab vents. i just sprsay them,,they,,do to design will never be fully h20 proof and the dfry fast no matter what..again due to being mostly mesh (i wear them daily....) |
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Quoted: Maybe Merrells have changed...and it sounds like you have already bought them, but the only experience I have had with them was serious foot pain. The durability of them didn't hold up, and the width and arch was way off for my feet. I had the shoe dude hook me up doing all the measuring and things, but it was a bad deal...maybe just a fluke, but I haven't went back since. day to day urban use the soiles run 5-8 months before wearing down, the uppers never seem to fail me. the moabs could use stiffer cushioning though..its wears over time. (ive owned 5+ different pairs over the years) |
| I haven't bought any yet. I'm trying to use my money wisely. I'm not worried about hiking in the rain. I wear shorts all the time hiking, even in the winter. So if it rains, the insides will get wet anyway. I'm more concerned with just walking in wet grass and stuff. I'm thinking waterproof spray would help in that aspect. |
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I opted for the goretex version and just took them for their first hike this weekend. It had rained recently and the ground was wet and there were some puddles around. I purposely splashed into some puddles to see how they did. My feet were bone dry throughout both the puddle jumping and walking through long and wet brush. I also could not believe how comfortable they were. Felt like slippers since the first time I put them on and had no need what so ever for a break in period. The only thing that is up in the air still is long term durability. At the moment, I couldn't be more thrilled with them. If they are able to last a reasonable amount of time, I would consider it money excellently spent. Regardless, I hear Merrell stands behind their product and if they fail unreasonably, they send out new pairs.
I paid more than this, looks like they just dropped the price 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004MALLW0/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I know I didn't specifically answer your original question, but for 100 bucks I think you will be happy with the purchase. Good luck to you. |
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I won't buy waterproof boots or shoes again. If you spend any amount of time on the trail, your feet and shoes will get wet. Unlined shoes and boots dry faster and quality wools socks used to rotate are a better investment. We are starting a short 20+mile backpacking trip this morning...it has a few river crossings...but the boots come off for that. I'm wearing the Merrell Proterra mid boots...unlined. they've held well for the miles Ive put on them...
ROCK6 |
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My Merrells developed a rip in the side after about a year of use. I went to the website, filled out the contact form, they sent me an email form to complete and include with the shoes for shipping back to them - a week later a brand new pair of later-model Merrells were at my door. For the price of shipping them the old ones they sent me a brand new pair of $100 shoes. They stand behind their products, which I like anyway, so I'll definitely continue to use them.
As to the OPs question, yeah, you have to get the Gore-tex version for them to be truly waterproof. |
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Im on my 4th pair of Merrells. I dont hike in them that much, more like take the dog to a feild and play with her every morn. I like you thought the spary on water proofing might work. If walking around in wet grass normally takes 15 mins for them to get wet if you spray them it will buy you about 5 more mins before they are wet. It works better when you first spray them. After a few days and some wear I dont think it really helps at all.
I really hate wet feet  So I have spent a small fortune on finding boots for all my needs. If I know im gonna have to cross streams and such I usually wear my old jungle boots or bring a pair of super light weight running shoes to do it and then put my water proof(Goretex) boots back on.
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Quoted:
I think you feet just didn't agree with them, and that's no slight to you. To each his own. I have had noting but positive experiences and the reviews I have read have been overwhelmingly so. Quoted:
Quoted:
Maybe Merrells have changed...and it sounds like you have already bought them, but the only experience I have had with them was serious foot pain. The durability of them didn't hold up, and the width and arch was way off for my feet. I had the shoe dude hook me up doing all the measuring and things, but it was a bad deal...maybe just a fluke, but I haven't went back since. I think you feet just didn't agree with them, and that's no slight to you. To each his own. I have had noting but positive experiences and the reviews I have read have been overwhelmingly so. The old style style Chameleons were much better than the current style, IMHO. My first pair of Chameleons made it a year and a half in Al Anbar, Iraq back in 2003 and 2004. They changed the style when I finally bought a new pair in 2008, and I had the exact same experience as Zirkdog. They killed my feet. I think Merrell now offers an old style version of the Chameleon, as well. I had a pair of gore-tex Moabs that were freaking awesome, too. By far my favorite "shoe" in lieu of boots for wet conditions, until I tried out the Salomon XA PRO 3D ULTRA. The only reason I don't have another pair is that I found some Keen gore-tex boots in 2012 on clearance for $32 at an outlet mall. They've done a tour in Afghanistan and still look like new. Edited to Add TLDR Version: if you what the best of both worlds, go with the Saloman XX PRO 3D ULTRA mid. It is an incredible shoe - totally waterproof, yet very breathable. Comfort is unmatched by any other shoe in it's price point. |
I have the Moabs as well and will never buy em again. After a long day in them, my feet ache real bad and they sweat worse than a whore in confession. I bought my first pair and they lasted me about 2 years with no serious hiking, just dog walks, everyday stuff. I picked my second pair up on a Black Friday sale 6 months after I had my first set. I got em so I wear em. I'm looking over at Sierra Trading Post at their OSLO boots. Those things have rave reviews from all the granola eating hippies around the Seattle area so they have got to be good.....
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| I have had a good experience with the Moab ventilated mids. Not waterproof but comfortable for all day hiking . A few others seem to like them that I know as well. I found any goretex lined boot makes my foot sweat and ends up wet , so I skip the waterproof stuff. |
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me thinks some folks get confused . moabs come in three choices- normal..waterproof and goretex. i stopped wearing mine yesterday. after 9 months of day to day use at work and off work the soles wore down enough to start giving me foot issues. i even use a good support insole. mostly concrete walking. the other merrels ive owned have done better but they cost 20-40$ more than moabs. keens are on my next to try but who knows. merrels are good but the moabs(ive owned 3 pair over the years) all have worn down fsaster than other merrel models)_ |