What a great fit! The feature I love most about these boots is the eyelet system, with ball bearings in each eyelet to make it easy to cinch the boots as tight as you want to make them. Last spring, wearing extra thick socks, I did not have to cinch very hard. This summer, with lighter socks, I was able to adjust the fit to a perfect snugness. Worth every penny.

Similar Products Used:

L.L. Bean Knife Edge (another great boot)

I'm rather conflicted about these boots because they are phenomenally comfortable (and I'm really picky) and gave me no trouble last summer doing dayhikes around Rocky Mountain National Park or during the winter just wearing them around town. However, I just got back from backpacking and they managed to wear the skin off both of my heels. This wasn't blistering really so much as ~3 square inches separating completely. This is a comparable problem to the commentary in the Backpacker review I just read. In spite of this, I'm perversely fond of these boots. No durability problems yet and they support my problem ankles well. Also, I don't know why the Backpacker reviews mentioned a bulky tongue as I've had just the opposite experience. I don't have the Gore-Tex model which could conceivably play a role in this.

Similar Products Used:

Vasque Vagabonds

one of the few boots in its category that fit me and didn't weigh a ton. I need a wide toe box area and slim heel fit. boot has held up very well. I put a pair of Super Feet in mine and have not had any real problems with blisters or heal slip. quick break in and easy to maintain.

Similar Products Used:

montrail AT - a bit too heavy

I bought a pair of Grand Traverses last summer in anticipation of a Sierra backpack in October. They seemed to fit well in the store, but I had problems right from the start, with blisters on both heels after dayhikes. A bit of moleskin and poly liner socks seemed to help, so I figured they would be o.k. after a break-in period. Not so. Unfortunately I did wear them on the Sierra trip and they scrubbed a big patch of skin off the backs of both my heels. I think the plastic piece on the back of the boot prevents them from comforming to narrow heels like mine no matter how long you break them in. The Grand Traverse seems to be solidly constructed and has great traction, but after my painful experience I gave my pair away and won't buy another.

Similar Products Used:

Asolo 520, Vasque Clarion Impact, Timberland Fastpacker

I bought these boots without doing much research, they just seemed like a good buy at the time - and they have been. I've been impressed by the support and comfort - right out of the box. The day after I purchased these boots I did a strenuous all-day climb (and descent) and had no blisters, not even a sore spot. I appreciate the grippiness of the sole material most of all. Last summer I climbed a large granite dome with no problems. My climbing buddy changed into his rock shoes and seemed to have more trouble sticking to the rock than I did in my Merrills.

Customer Service

No experience with customer service

Simply outstanding, at least for my foot.

Bought on sale, but was lucky enough to try on several different sizes. The large toe box is keeps you from gimping along the trail due to bruised and or blistered toes. They fit the best of any boot in the shop.

Got them out for their first thrity mile jaunt, and was pretty amazed. The ball bearing lacing system is a cinch to adjust and stays put. The tongue is well padded leather and doesn't slip unlike the Sundowner. Zero hotspots and no heel slippage at all. These boots are the most comfortable I have ever worn, even when new. My feet are happy and dry. Not to mention they aren't what the masses are wearing.

If you are serious about backpacking and want support and an outstanding fit you can't beat these boots for under 200 dollars. They make the lower level Vasques and Asolos look like kiddy boots.

Similar Products Used:

Vasque Sundowner (two pairs), Asolo Cliff, Raichle lightweights GTX,

Shazam! These boots are an oasis of comfort. They compliment my pediestrian efforts to trek until the cows come home. Waterproof, great out-of-box fit with little break in, nice ball bearing lacing system (use surgeons knot after last ball bering) and they look cool.

Similar Products Used:

None

Easy to break-in
Great ankle support
Waterproof (tested in the field many times)
Soles wear out quickly

Customer Service

Quick response on resoling.

Similar Products Used:

None

These boots are great, especially if you get the gore-tex ones. I have never gotten wet at all. My feet are also always comfortable after a long day of hiking.

Similar Products Used:

Hi-Tek when I first started. They were cheap and sucked the big one.

This is an incredible boot! Very heavy-duty for general backpacking use and don't bother with the Gore-tex version - I have the regular version and have never had a wet foot yet!

I've never had a blister either... so those people who have blister must have the wrong-shaped foot for this boot or they aren't lacing them up tight enough or something.

I use lightweight Bridgedale trail socks in these in warmer weather and super thick Smartwool in winter, and my feet are always the right temperature if I use the right sock for the weather!

My only complaint about this boot is that it should have had a rubber toe cap to protect the toe from getting scuffed up... but not a big deal, I'm just going to have my cobbler install them for a few bucks.

Oh, and I trimmed a little rubber off the heels which were pretty flat at the end, so now they have a little more "roll" when your heel hits, which I like.

Similar Products Used:

None