Review Date
December 5, 2004

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Reviewed by: lightstays ,  Climber

Price Paid:  $175.00 at Paragon, NYC

Summary:
Grand Traverse seems to be the worst mistake in Merrell's history. THE HEELS SUCK. They were fine at first but major friction develops in the heel cup as you break them in. I discovered this during a trek in Peru up a 19,000 ft Volcano. Not a lot of alternative options at that point.
Everthing else about the boots are fine but your heels will turn into roadkill.

Customer Service:
NA

Similar Products Used:
Merrell, Vasque, Salomon

Review Date
May 25, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Derby (Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Portland, Oregon

Price Paid:  $160.00 at Oregon Mountain Comm

Summary:
Bought the boots four years ago, and they felt better than any boots I've ever owned in the store, and only feel better every time I wear them. Never a blister. Climbed Mt Hood, Mt Adams, South Sister, wore them in China, in mosh pits, on motorcycles, and they've never leaked or busted a stitch. My Scarpas give me blisters every time. Only complaint - they get pretty warm in summer. My will states I'm to be buried in my Grand Traverse.

Customer Service:
No contact with them.

Similar Products Used:
Scarpa M3, Salomon, Danner, old school full grain alpine, plastic boots...

Review Date
May 14, 2003

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Reviewed by: Antri Zhu(Unregistered User) ,  Climber , from Calgary

Price Paid:  $214.00 at coast mountain

Summary:
Bought these boots a month ago hoping to break them in before the west coast trial in the summer. After an 8 mile dayhike in yellowstone national park 2 weeks ago. I developed a blister in my left heel after the hike. At first I attributed the problem with the way I tied the shoelaces but then on shorter nature walks it was confirmed that the plastic heel cup on the left boot was the cause of the problem. Other than the heel problem, the boots were great, it was rigid, stable, grippy and waterproof. Sadly the pain in my left heel is still lingering such that when I wear my climbing shoes I could feel the pain. In the end I am bitterly disapointed with these boots because of the lack of quality control. The right boot felt like a dream to wear but the left boot was not.

Customer Service:
did not have to contact the customer service because the people at coast mountain sport were understanding of my problem of the boot. Good thing I was able to exchange it otherwise it would have been an expensive paper weight because I wouldn't try and sell it and ruin somebody's left heel.

Similar Products Used:
none but my E3 low cut hiking shoes is the best pair of shoe I own.

Review Date
February 11, 2003

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: tom OFlanagan(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker , from Edmonton alberta canada

Price Paid:  $275.00 at Coast Mountain

Summary:
Merrell Grand Traverse hiking Boots.
The positive qualities of these boots are effectively cancelled by the negatives. On one hand they have a remarkablely stable, supportive platform and fit and have been quite durable. I have experienced none of the heel problems so frequently mentioned in many of the other reviews. On the negative side, they are remarkably hot in summer and leak like sieves through the stitched gusset; even mild rain and snowfalls prohibit their use, despite applications of nikwax or snowseal. Essentially good for clear days and around the town, they are not reliable enough for extended hikes. I think that these are a " concept boot', a design predicated upon an image rather than on true functionality. Having said that, they are mighty fine to look at!

Customer Service:
Merrell has been quite supportive in the past. Recently they have seem a bit reluctant, even testy. At present they have at least agreed to LOOK at these boots-after three separate entreaties extending over a year or more. It's been a matter of talking to several reps until finally contacting one who was a bit more responsive. It helps to cite the quality of other, related products. For example, I also have Merrell Ridgelines which have been flawless.

Similar Products Used:
Merrell Ridgelines; Scarpa Concordia;
Rockport XCS Hikers.

Review Date
December 29, 2002

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: ccalderaro(Unregistered User) ,  Paddler

Price Paid:  $199.00 at REI

Summary:
I put these babies on out of the box and declared life good as I proceeded to do aerobic leaps of joy with my new boots. But...all good things must come to an end. The end of my joy came the first time I tried to ascend with these boots. Every time I hit an extended incline, my heels resemble hamburger meat with a side of e-coli. For the life of me, I can't find a way to "fix" this problem. If I have the choice of doing one more ascent with these boots or slitting my wrists in a bath of warm water, Show me the Bath!

Customer Service:
Have anyone noticed that Merrill does not have an e-mail address on thier website so discontents like me can't write hate mail. Or.. you can call thier 888 637 7001. I'm gonna call them after new years and see if they have any suggestions.

Similar Products Used:
N/A