Merrell Jeep hiking boots?

[Vincent]

These are probably the best I’ve ever owned out of all the ones I’ve used:
https://www.danner.com/trail-2650-3...461&gbraid=0AAAAAD24gKEWBblUPl6_Q0IplE5ATHsPi

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[Brad.Clarkston]

I used to swear by Merrells. Off work I lived in them. I logged hundreds of hiking miles across North and Central America in a set of OG Chameleon boots I picked up 20+ years ago and when I didn't wear those it was their all terrain mocs. When the boots finally wore out I replaced them with then current Chameleons and they were absolutely awful. I returned them after less than a month. They leaked, were nowhere near as comfortable and the build quality was not the same compared to my OG Chameleons. Ever since they moved their production to Asia from Italy and the US and started selling in discount stores and outlets it's been garbage.

I switched to Keen Liberty's and went through a couple pairs (one I ruined during disaster cleanup sewage-mud muck) and they were great until eventually they wore out too. They replaced those with the Durand but they're still made in the US. https://www.keenfootwear.com/products/mens-durand-ii-waterproof-boot-cascade-brown-gargoyle

I've since replaced them a couple years back with Gore-Tex LL Bean Euro Hikers and they've gotten use in Iceland, all over the US and in Costa Rica. Mine were made in Italy and are of very high quality. They dont make that specific model anymore but these appear to be very close: https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/5837957?page=Heritage-Hiker-Mid-Waterproof-Mens&bc=510940&feat=510940-GN0&csp=f&attrValue_0=58086&gnrefine=1*BRAND*L.L.Bean^1*GENDER*Mens&pos=12&imgt=41

I'll second the Keen's over Merrels for any usage model. Way more comfortable and holds up way better than Asian made Merrels. There just a tad pricey for what they are.

I've tried several pairs of LL Beans and the QA is very hit or miss.

 

[RudeJeepin]

Unless things have changed, LLBean contracts the shoes out. So model to model could be coming out of different factories.

I love all the Danner boots and shoes I own or owned, including my slippers.

I haven't had a pair of Merrell shoes in awhile, but they were comfortable.

Watch out for Keen, they either fit your foot or they don't. I absolutely can't stand the fit, one of the.most uncomfortable shoes I've tried on. We have a really good shoe/boot store close by. The owner says Keens are hit or miss with fit, people either love them or hate them.

I also love me some Nike.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

I had a pair of Danner boots when I was enlisted. The only problem with the USMC ones was the lip on the sole. While training, dude came in for a hip throw during training. He executed correctly but the only problem was when he stepped in he caught that lip. Throw went great!! Of course my foot was trapped on the ground when he threw. By the time I went in to get it seen to it was a type 2 sprain. I was at the end of a course when it happened so no way I was going to medical to get it looked at. Wrapped it and ate Motrin like candy for a week before it got seen to. They estimated it was probably a type 3 when it happened. Comfortable boots, but I never wore em after that.

 

[RudeJeepin]

I had a pair of Danner boots when I was enlisted. The only problem with the USMC ones was the lip on the sole. While training, dude came in for a hip throw during training. He executed correctly but the only problem was when he stepped in he caught that lip. Throw went great!! Of course my foot was trapped on the ground when he threw. By the time I went in to get it seen to it was a type 2 sprain. I was at the end of a course when it happened so no way I was going to medical to get it looked at. Wrapped it and ate Motrin like candy for a week before it got seen to. They estimated it was probably a type 3 when it happened. Comfortable boots, but I never wore em after that.

I'm guessing your talking about the stitch down soles. That makes them recraftable.
It doesn't hurt that they are an hour away. I can hit their Factory store and get good sale prices.

 

[JTGuy]

I have boots, Red Wings and Nicks$$. Now I just wear slip on Kizsks. Comfortable , quick and easy.

 

[WambliSka]

I have several pairs of the Made in the USA rebuildable Danners and the are excellent boots. I also have a few pairs of hand made Whites and Nicks. All of them amazing boots that show the best of American craftsmanship. None of them are great hiking boots. Too heavy and stiff even after you break them in.

But if I’m going to be mostly off-road driving and camping they are my choice and they are awesome and basically indestructible, taking on and shrugging off whatever I throw at them. I also have a pair of Whites Packers and they are fantastic riding boots. Again, useless for hiking.

Hiking is a very specialized gig for boots. Same boots also work very well for “tactical” use. Light but sturdy and capable of being flexible enough for rock climbing and yet stiff enough for support on trails for extended walking is a massively big compromise to balance well and that’s why good hiking boots are expensive. And all these compromises can only be achieved by non rebuildable boots, so I consider my hiking boots “consumables”.

 

[RudeJeepin]

I have several pairs of the Made in the USA rebuildable Danners and the are excellent boots. I also have a few pairs of hand made Whites and Nicks. All of them amazing boots that show the best of American craftsmanship. None of them are great hiking boots. Too heavy and stiff even after you break them in.

But if I’m going to be mostly off-road driving and camping they are my choice and they are awesome and basically indestructible, taking on and shrugging off whatever I throw at them. I also have a pair of Whites Packers and they are fantastic riding boots. Again, useless for hiking.

Hiking is a very specialized gig for boots. Same boots also work very well for “tactical” use. Light but sturdy and capable of being flexible enough for rock climbing and yet stiff enough for support on trails for extended walking is a massively big compromise to balance well and that’s why good hiking boots are expensive.

Danner, White's, Nick's, are all great boots.
LaCrosse owns Daner and White's, while itself is owned by a Japanese company.
I know a gal that worked at White's before and after LaCrosse bought them out. She said it changed some, but not too much overall. She felt the quality was still there.

Your right about different horses for different courses. I like my heavy Danners for hunting and getting firewood or similar activities. But I really wouldn't want to hike trails all day in them. I have Danner Free Spirits for that.

 

[Rusty PW]

My left foot has been broken 3 different times over the years. Bike wreck, dropped a F350 brake rotor on it. Playing with one of my goldens kicking a ball in my bare feet and kicked a rock sticking out of the ground. Torn 3 ligaments in the foot. Have 3 pins in the foot now. So I'm real picky when it comes to shoes. The Moab 3 wide is the most comfortable for me in daily use. When I off road or doing something that I need over the ankle coverage. I have the Moab 3 Mid Tactical waterproof for that.

I've tried most of the boots discussed at one time or another and keep coming back to the Moab's. Their either not wide enough or the arch in the shoe don't fit the weird arch I have now in my left foot. I might need surgery in the near future. Have a bone spur growing between 2 bones where one of the pins goes through. Second toe, 3rd joint from the end. Oh, my toes don't bend down. I can flex them up.

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