Merrell Jeep hiking boots?

[NotSo Bright White]

My Jeep Merrels haven’t worn out at all! Oh wait, they are still in the box!

I wore Whites that were made for my feet for years hiking almost every day. Once they break your feet in, there is nothing better! Yes, they are heavy but they have to be for insulation against heat. If you step into a ash filled stump hole, you will be glad they are heavy.

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[WambliSka]

My Jeep Merrels haven’t worn out at all! Oh wait, they are still in the box!

I wore Whites that were made for my feet for years hiking almost every day. Once they break your feet in, there is nothing better! Yes, they are heavy but they have to be for insulation against heat. If you step into a ash filled stump hole, you will be glad they are heavy.

I have hiked all over the US and many other countries and I've never stepped into an "ash filled stump hole". Are you sure you mean hiking? As in the recreational activity? I personally know professional firefighters that work on forest wildfires and they will wear nothing but Whites, Nicks and other similar high end custom built boots and that seems in line with your description. I have a pair of Whites Smokejumper boots and they are bank vaults, with screwed in soles etc. Thy are the ultimate protection for your feet when doing dangerous stuff but I would take those things on a hike with a significant rocky vertical climb unless I was being chased by roaring flames

 

[NotSo Bright White]

I have hiked all over the US and many other countries and I've never stepped into an "ash filled stump hole". Are you sure you mean hiking? As in the recreational activity? I personally know professional firefighters that work on forest wildfires and they will wear nothing but Whites, Nicks and other similar high end custom built boots and that seems in line with your description. I have a pair of Whites Smokejumper boots and they are bank vaults, with screwed in soles etc. Thy are the ultimate protection for your feet when doing dangerous stuff but I would take those things on a hike with a significant rocky vertical climb unless I was being chased by roaring flames

Yes, I was a firefighter and stump holes with hot ash are everywhere. Especially at night when visibility is diminished. I led a hand crew which means we hiked miles almost every day. Definitely not recreational hiking but hiking just the same with heavy packs. They were often performed with a lot of verticals climbs as fire loves to run uphill.

 

[WambliSka]

And BTW when it comes to boots there is really no wrong answer. I like to get my money's worth from good footwear and will not compromise on something built for a purpose. Whites, Nicks, JKs etc are truly "built for purpose" boots, even though their working boots lately are more of a fashion statement for most buyers, they are still true to their roots. But a lot of folks like them as Sunday go to church shoes and that's quite Ok, to me it's the equivalent of buying a Rubicon or a Mojave to cruise around town. Hey if it makes you happy!

And while I'm at it I'll admit I have a few pairs of White's and Nicks heritage type boots that have become my travel/meeting shoes since we now live in a rather casual business environment that I take advantage off and it's nice to go away for a week and only bring one pair of "do everything" shoes.

But again, I love Merells as an everyday shoe just because they are comfortable and fit my foot well. And for someone that does light hiking they are a great shoe, as long as they fit your foot. If someone is very demanding of them they will not last as long but budget and durability take a back seat to comfort all day long. I know a lot of folks that would love to buy Oboz, or Salomon's or Keens etc based on features but they just don't fit their feet. And God only knows anything will work at the mall but a good long hike over rough terrain will let you know in a BIG hurry if your boots fit you right.

So purpose, features, fit and budget have to be evaluated and compromises made where they need to be made by the individual. There are choice out there to meet every criteria.

 

[WambliSka]

Yes, I was a firefighter and stump holes with hot ash are everywhere. Especially at night when visibility is diminished. I led a hand crew which means we hiked miles almost every day. Definitely not recreational hiking but hiking just the same with heavy packs. They were often performed with a lot of verticals climbs as fire loves to run uphill.

That's what I thought and yes for that purpose there is no better and what you described is VERY specialized. But if I asked my wife to go for a nice hike climbing rocks with a light daypack and showed her a pair of Whites to wear she'd faint. And that's what most folks consider "hiking". So I just wanted to clarify.

 

[Gman 2025]

Wanted to thank you gentlemen for causing me to spend more money…just purchased a pair of Merrell Moabs. They have a 15% discount right now with free shipping.

 

[Tim. Y.]

Wanted to thank you gentlemen for causing me to spend more money…just purchased a pair of Merrell Moabs. They have a 15% discount right now with free shipping.

I'm in need of a new pair of Moab's myself... hmm...

 

[Gman 2025]

I'm in need of a new pair of Moab's myself... hmm...

WELCOME15 is the code

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

WELCOME15 is the code

Enabler!!!!

 

[Gman 2025]

Enabler!!!!

Might as well let everyone enjoy spending their money too

 

[Mud Pie]

I've worn Merrell's for work for the last 27 years. I walked between 6-10 miles a day, sometimes a lot more, including going up/down stairs (faster than waiting for the elevator), up and down 10 ft ladders all day. Merrell's were the only footwear I could hump all day and not have sore feet.

When I was a teen, my favorite shoes were Sperry Top-siders (grew up on the water). When I retired, I hung up my Merrell's. Told my wife I wanted a nice pair of Sperry's. Went to the web site, the "handmade in Maine" Gold Cups (the Cadillac of Top-siders) now cost $375 !!! My wife used logic, "You're not walking all over the place anymore, they'll last you forever.". Most I ever paid for a pair of deck shoes. Still breaking them in, but I treat them too special; I know what they cost.

About 3 years ago I was digging through my old sea bag and found 2 pair of my old combat boots. I was in in 1979, so we were still issued the black leather chevron sole (no cap toe, that's an Army thing) boots. Full lace-up, no easy side zipper. I remember them being uber comfy, I wanted new.

I ordered a pair; USMC combat boots, just like what I was issued. Genuine USGI. Spit-shined them even before they saw a toe. Put them on, walked across the room..... nope !! My feet were 18 years old when I first put them on, not the same when my feet were 62 !!

Ah, they gotta be broken in. Treat the leather !! Blisters later (even with heavy GI socks), I took them puppies off.

Still in my closet next to my blue suede Puma's that I had to have. Great in 1970's high school, not now. Zero arch support.

How did we wear such things ???

 

[WambliSka]

And by the way Merrell Chameleons are probably the most comfortable shoe (for me) bar none. I love the ability to step in and out of them without having to lace them up and still have the ability to lace them down if there is a need on the trail.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

@Mud Pie I did much the same with a nice pair of Corcoran boots. Wore em for a bit but my feet are nowhere near where they were when I was younger. They no longer work for me. I do have a nice pair of Cadillacs now though. They just don’t get worn and I can’t bring myself to give them away.

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