Best Merrell Hiking boots for Men

Merrell is one of the best brands in the hiking shoes and boots arena. It has a solid base of “fans” that refuse to wear anything but their boots.

Merrell was launched in 1981 when two guys working at Rossignol put some money together and decided to launch they own brand of footwear.

Most of the people I personally know that are a fan of Merrell say that it’s because they somehow manage to hit that sweet spot between sturdiness and lightness. Durability of their Merrells was also often mentioned while I was putting this guide together.

What to bear in mind when reading this guide?

This guide will list the best of Merrell hiking boots and shoes. The shoes are chosen by applying the Menta statistical factoring in reviewing hiking gear which combines the specifications and the user opinions from control groups.

It is a living , breathing thing and is updated bi-monthly to reflect any changes on the market. This way you know that the information you get are fresh and relevant.

So, let’s get things rolling by introducing the current winners right away with their respective Menta ratings.

Picture	Model	Rating
	Men’s Moab Hiking Boot	4.8 / 5
	Moab Ventilator Hiking Boot	4.8 / 5
	Sawtooth Hiking Boot	4.7 / 5
	Pulsate Camo Hiking Boot	4.7 / 5
	Phase Peek Hiking Boot	4.6 / 5

Let us move on to dig deeper into the PROs and CONs of each of the models listed.

Men’s Moab Hiking Boot

By Merrell

Here we have the manufacturer’s product description:

• Leather with mesh
• Vibram sole
• Imported
• Breathable and waterproof GTX Performance Comfort Lining
• Bellows tongue will keep the debris out
• M Select FRESH will prevent odor
• Air cushion heel for shock absorption and added stability

It’s an impressive set of features and seems like an impressive product but let us really dig in and scrutinize it through the words of the actual users.

Here are some of the positive user experiences – PROs:

• I’ve been stationed in Afghanistan for the last six months, and I’ll just tell you this if your command permits it get these! I’ve tried a lot, and these are the best Merrell hiking boots I’ve owned since I joined the military nine years ago
• The sole is very flexible for a boot sole, so you can definitely feel what you’re walking on, but not in a bad way. You’ll feel the rocks, but they won’t hurt your feet at all. The underfoot awareness just gives me the full feeling of control over my steps
• They offer a great amount of traction while I’m hiking over rocky formations and various goat trails
• Definitely no break-in period required. I put them on the morning after I got them, went for a 9 mile hike, and had no blisters to show for it. They’re extra comfortable, and my feet never felt better
• They’re extremely lightweight considering they’re boots, which makes them an ideal choice for my day hikes and light backpacking
• I really enjoy the GoreTex technology. They’re surprisingly breathable considering they are waterproof, and breathability takes the second slot in priority
• They’re 100% waterproof! I use them during the rain or in wet grass for very long periods of time, and never once did my socks get wet or even moist. They’re also very breathable for this type of footwear, so there’s no feet overheating or sweating
• I’m the only one that didn’t get any blister trophies from our trip to Mt Kilimanjaro. Every single person in my group was complaining how sore their feet got except me. I knew my Merrells won’t disappoint, and they truly shone all the way
• I’ve read all the Merrell hiking boots reviews I could find, and finally opted for these. My circumstances simply dictate the Moab version. They’re everything I’ve grown to expect from Merrell, and the sheer quality made me write my first user review ever
• Extremely comfortable, which is especially important during the longer hikes. They’re also very well made, and look like they’re gonna last forever. The foot protection is superb, and I didn’t get any sliding action even on some pretty slippery surfaces

We’ll proceed to see what the customers didn’t like about these boots – the CONs:

• They’re great if you’re not carrying particularly heavy load on you. Light backpacking and hiking will go without a hitch, heavy load long distance hiking or mountaineering not so much in my opinion
• I’d like a bit more of an arch support

Final thought and overall quality rating

This is how a real hiking boot should look like. Comfortable, supportive, waterproof yet breathable, lightweight, with excellent traction even on treacherous and slippery surfaces.

Overall Quality Rating of 4.8/5 makes this one of the two best rated Merrell boots for men.

Overall quality rating of 4.8 / 5 is pretty much as good as it gets (I’ve never given a 5/5 over the years of reviewing hiking shoes and boots). I’ve deducted two points (as you can see in the ratings table). One deducted point is for price because these are over the 100 bucks line but I don’t really see this as a downside because as a I said over and over again, if you are seriously into hiking, your footwear is the last place to look if you want to save money.

The other deducted point is for customer service and guarantee – because I’ve seen a couple of people saying that the returning/refunding process was not as efficient as it should be with a high end company like Merrell.

Moab Ventilator Hiking Boot

By Merrell

Let’s spare a moment and go over manufacturer’s product specification:

• Leather with mesh
• Vibram rubber sole
• Imported
• Mid-height cut
• Moisture wicking lining of M-Select dry mesh
• Bellows tongue will keep the debris out
• Odor prevention with M select FRESH
• Air cushion heel will add stability and absorb shock
• Anatomical ortholite footbed
• Sticky Vibram outsole

This certainly is an exhaustive enumeration of features. The more features, the better, I always say, but just how good are they is yet to be confirmed.

Here we’ll see the things users considered good:

• They certainly bring to the table every quality a boot should have, yet somehow managing to be surprisingly lightweight. I bought these because my past boots were just too heavy for my kinds of activities, and they were right o the money. Highest recommendation
• They’re very comfortable and give a great deal of cushion to my every step. Even those loose-rock trails are made tolerable by them
• They manage dirt and turf of all sorts, so I couldn’t be more satisfied with this buy
• I’m severely out of shape I’m afraid, but still I had no feet problem during my return hike. It was a real challenge for me, as the end was somewhere around 4k miles of just miserable trails and descents. But as far as my feet go, no blisters whatsoever, which is truly a miracle for me
• I went for the GoreTex boots since my hiking grounds are mostly boggy and wet areas. I’ve willingly sacrificed breathability for the sake of them being waterproof. But they managed to surprise me with the level of comfort and cool sensation they provided. Never did my feet feel super hot, nor did they sweat
• These shoes are walking me actually. They follow the natural ergonomic heel to toe, and I can really tell the difference
• Wigwam hiking socks plus these boots are the winning combination. I can hike for days without a single blister
• Very comfortable and practically indestructible. Excellent if you’re looking for a boot that’ll feel like a shoe, but still offer the protection and stability of a true hiking boot
• This is my 2nd pair of Merrells. I bought it since my first pair has gone its course after 6 years of heavy usage. I can tell right off the bat that Merrell wasn’t sleeping on the job for the past 6 years, as these new ones feel much more comfortable, light, and breathy

Here are some negative observations:

• Snow is definitely not their strong side. They will hold up if you pack light though
• They absorb water pretty fast, so crossing a stream might be a bit awkward, but they’ll dry almost as fast so…
• I have pretty narrow feet and wanted to return these and had problems explaining why I want a refund…

Conclusions and Overall Quality Rating

Comfort and breathability is the name of the game with these Merrells.

The reasons for the two point deduction are the same as with the plain Moab above.

It’s comfort and breathability of a shoe crossed with the protection and stability of a boot. You won’t find many combos such as this.

Sawtooth Hiking Boot

By Merrell

We’ll start with some basic information:

• Leather with mesh
• Vibram rubber sole
• Imported
• Breathable moisture wicking lining
• Bellows tongue will keep the debris out
• Odor prevention with M select FRESH
• Air cushion heel will add stability and absorb shock
• Sticky Vibram outsole

No complaint here, but the true affirmation must come from the real-life buyers and users.

Here’s what the aforementioned liked about these boots:

• Amazing boots for this price! They’re very comfortable, and not a single blister after an 8 mile patrol on foot
• Wonderful boots. They probably have over 100 miles under them already, and I’ve had them for just a month. I like how flexible they are, following and bending with my foot perfectly
• They are just what I needed. Absolutely waterproof and water resistant, ideal for the rainy days here in South Korea. They’ve delivered everything that was promised in the advertisement, plus I can wear them with multicam
• They’re very comfortable and look awesome! They also get more comfortable with every new usage. I wear them in all sorts of environments, and I can even run at full speed without any discomfort whatsoever
• These are the best Merrell hiking boots I’ve ever put on. I use them for pretty much everything now. They’re comfortable, durable, and very warm, so it’s a full package. They also offer great support for my ankles, so I would recommend them to everyone with problematic ankles like mine
• Besides being very comfortable, they are also pretty stylish. If you’re now where I was two months ago, thinking if they’re worth it, let me tell you first hand, they’re worth every god damn penny
• This is one tough pair of boots. Combine that with good flexibility and comfort, and you have a winner! They provide excellent traction, and my steps were never as sure and controlled as now
• There’s nothing much to say about Merrell boots except you’re missing out big time if you’ve never owned a pair. Being a great hiker begins with footwear, and great footwear begins with Merrell
• I’ve never owned boots that were this comfortable right out of the box

And here are some not so positive experiences:

• They have a great pair of insoles coming with them, but if you’re into hiking on some hard-core rocky terrains you might want to buy a stiffer pair since these feel too ”gel-like”
• These truly are great boots, my only complaint is that they don’t come in other colors, especially black

Final thoughts and rating

Overall quality rating is 4.7/5 which is just a bit lower than the Moab that is currently best rated model on this list. I deducted two points for the same reasons as with the Moabs but I also deducted one for the quality of the midsoles.

You might not really see people talking about this in the reviews of theses Merrells but I know the materials and I can say (without getting technical and confusing) that the support could be somewhat better if slightly different components were used for the midsole support.

Better might not even be the right word here, “more suited for the conditions the boot is intended for” is perhaps better wording.

Having said all that, the Sawtooth makes for a great choice.

Pulsate Camo Hiking Boot

By Merrell

Here’s the introductory list of features:

• Suede
• Imported
• Synthetic sole
• Impermeable M-Select DRY membrane
• Bellows tongue
• M-Select FRESH prevents odors
• Arch shank of molded nylon
• Compressed EVA molded footframe
• Heel air cushion

We’re already accustomed to receiving excellent and informative product specifications from Merrell, but that doesn’t mean we won’t give them our usual customer treatment.

Here are some user’s pleasant experiences – the PROs:

• Awesome comfort, style, and fit! Merrells have been my boots of choice for years now, and they keep very high quality no matter which model I choose. I really like camo models since they go very well with my hiking outfit of choice
• Great boots and the price is even better. They arrived here in flawless condition, and the size was exactly as I expected. They were a bit stiff at first, but broke in perfectly after a while
• Nothing less than I expected from Merrell. The overall design is superb. They are wide enough at the balls of my feet, but the hell construction makes for a very snug fit. I don’t see how hiking boot can be any more comfortable than this
• Longer hikes are where these boots really shine for me. I used to end up with sore feet and blister-pallooza like you wouldn’t believe. These changed all that and gave me freedom to make my hikes as long and demanding as I like. Thank you, Merrell!
• These boots are so out of this world that made me change my “no camo clothing” mantra. The price was just right for a pair of Merrells, and they are doing one hell of a job keeping my feet bone dry
• What I always liked about Merrells is that they’re true to size. So, I can even order them as a gift for my husband and be sure they’ll fit perfectly
• I’ll start with my sincere recommendation. These are in my opinion the best hiking boots Merrell has to offer for my kind of hiking needs. I’ve suffered a lot over the years from the fact that most of my previous boots weren’t really waterproof, even though, the advertisements clearly stated they were. These were the breaking point where I finally got to feel how a real waterproof boot looks like and behaves. Not once did my feet get wet, not even when I waded some shallow creeks. THEY ARE A BLESSING!

And some unpleasant ones:

• They do need a bit of a break-in period, but become super comfortable afterward
• These boots do not excel in the breathability department. Be sure that you’ve aired them out before each use. I know you have to sacrifice breathability to increase water-resistance, so this is a necessary evil of sorts. Some anti-microbial sprays or powders are also a good idea

Final ratings and thoughts

Overall Quality Rating of the Pulsato Camo is 4.7/5. Two of the points are, again, deducted for price and customer service and one point is, somewhat subjectively, deducted for the finish quality. This is just because I am not a fan of suede for boots that are meant to meet the kind of trail challenges these are.

It’s an aesthetics thing – with other synthetics your shoes can be as good as new to the eye for much longest than when suede is used. A couple of demanding, damp experiences and suede boots will show signs of it. Somebody likes the worn out look, I personally like to have the biggest bang for my buck even in that area, hence the one point deduction.

Except for the breathability issue, which is to be expected these boots are absolutely superb. They won’t let you down even in the harshest of conditions, and that’s what heavy-duty hiking boots are all about.

Phase Peek Hiking Boot

By Merrell

Here is the company’s product specification:

• Leather
• Imported
• Synthetic sole
• Shaft approximately measures 5.5 inches from the arch
• Waterproof Nubuck upper
• Breathable, waterproof membrane
• Bellows tongue
• Air cushion midsole
• EVA compression-molded footframe
• Vibram Phaser non-marking outsole

Final pair of shoes, but the procedure remains unaltered.

Here are points that customers agreed upon as positive:

• I didn’t have the time to break these boots in before setting off on my trip. I just had to roll the dice and hope for the best. I brought my tennis shoes in case these got overwhelmed, but it turned out I never really needed them. These Merrells did a great job and proved to be completely waterproof also
• My first pair lasted for five years, and I don’t even remember how many hiking trips. They’ve been dragged through hell with me, but even after five years I can still wear them as my workout shoes. Just had to get a new pair for serious hiking, and I’ll continue on buying them as long as they keep the original quality
•  Extremely comfortable and well designed. They seem to align my foot properly and completely with the ground, which makes them feel all that more natural with each step. It also increases my sure-footedness and offers a seriously good traction
• They wear pretty well, and I only needed to replace them after six years or so. I bought the exact same pair, of course. They are the best Merrell hiking boots and best boots, in general. As long as the quality holds up I’ll never go for a different model or brand
• After my first 5 mile hike in these was over I had no performance complaints or blisters whatsoever. It’s a great boot overall, and certainly worth the money invested
• I’m not a hiker, and I bought these boots for fieldwork. I can’t rate them for hiking purposes, but I know they keep my feet warm and dry all winter long all while being very comfortable and pretty lightweight for what they have to offer. Great boots even if you’re not a hiker for sure
• I can’t compare these shoes with anything in terms of comfort, durability, and overall performance. I just love them, and I’ve never had a pair of boots that was this amazing

Negative points are reviewed next:

• Ventilation is not great in these, but I guess that’s the price you must pay for wanting a fully waterproof pair of hiking boots
• They’re too bulky for my taste, comfortable though

Conclusions and overall ratings of the Phase Peek

This is another great pair of boots from Merrell.

Overall Quality Rating is 4.6/5 is very good and the two points deduction for upper parts quality and finish quality is because I’ve seen a comments or two about the shoes leaking after a while in spite of the 100% waterproof promise.

One thing to keep in mind is that these cases might be contributed to a factory defect in a specific pair but at that price point and from a brand such as Merrell, I was surprised to see even those couple of negative reviews. Especially since being completely waterproof if their main selling point.

You should not expect much breathability with the Phase Peek, as you shouldn’t with any waterproof boot out there.

Final thoughts of the guide

It took me a few week to compile this guide in the first place and it takes the team a day or two on every update.

But the end result is I believe a completely reliable guide on the best Merrell boots out there. As I said, this guide is a “living” thing and it changes as the rating of specific pairs of boots change.

Any comment or question is welcome.

The Sole Labz team