Merrell Ridge Gore-tex II Review

"Just bought these. First time Merrell buyer. I am a day hiker but we hike into the Smokies and up and down gorges and mud. My only boots for hiking are my Lowa Lady Sport with Nubuck and Leather lining which I have never had to break in and have had for about 5 years. These Merrell have the same type of stiffness and are a cross between a hiker and backpacker boot. I just took an initial walk around the neighborhood to start to break them in. It is high 80's and around 85% humidity today. I was afraid of the gortex lining because of older reviews about not using gortex in hiking boots. Yet more and more of boots are using Gortex. Actually they were not too much hotter than my leather lined ones, but I do think the leather lined cool off more, especially since they are older and worn. These are higher in both the ankle cuff and wider in the rubber heel, both desirable for me and have a great grip but I had no problem walking on paved sidewalks even with the rugged grips. They also stay tied to the desireable tightness and easy to adjust. Because I am almost 60, I found the wider newer chisel sole is terrific for balance. I do use treking poles also which are a life safer for anyone over 50. Anyhow I got gortex because it would be a different use boot- more for cooler hiking and more waterproof hopefully in walking through streams and not ontop of the rocks scattered in the streams and I hope in heavy downpours. My Lowa are fine in small streams and light rain but in heavy downpours I found they did get moist inside and my sock was very damp. Probably because the rain got into the top more than through two layers of leather. I will report back when I actually use them for hiking. If anyone out there is over 50 and are not a season hiker, they would probably like these for the stability alone."

"The only boot I've ever boughten that didn't require a break-in period. I have a size 13b foot and needless to say I have never found boots that didn't need customizing. I put them on out of the box, walked around the neighborhood for approx. 1 mile looking for "hot spots" and found none. Almost 2 years later they've held up to even MY abuse. I've treated them once to leather conditioner and that's it.
Rain, snow, mud, heavy rocks, mountaineering and casual hiking - they've taken it all. I LOVE these boots.
I'm searching for a new pair exactly like them."