Merrell M2 Superlight

Review Date
January 25, 2005

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: askprice ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $125.00 at Gary Kings in Anchor

Summary:
Bought these because they fit my wide duck shaped feet. Pulled off a piece of the lacing hardware the first week and had to take them back for repair. Abused them over the next few years. After the first year, one of the rubber toe covers delaminated and tore. The boots were pretty comfortable for backpacking and running around town for the first couple of years. After that the leather near the toe began to tear through near the toe (probably from neglect/improper care) and it felt like the plastic reinforcing inside the heel of one of my boots had split and was rubbing me unfavorably.

Customer Service:
Gary Kings had the lacing hardware replaced, no problem.

Review Date
July 20, 2001

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: Rob(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Kamloops

Summary:
I have no complaints about the comfort and support these boots offer. Top notch in my book. But they do have one real inherent weak point. Where the outer tongue attaches to the boot merrel seems to have cut corners and used mesh instead of leather. Even after waterproofing, after walking through damp rush you can feel the moisture starting to seep in. Eventually after a few hours your feet are soaked. C'mon merrel, if you are going to build a boot that looks and acts like a tank, don't put in such a shoddy job where nobody looks when purchasing.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
July 13, 2001

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: Mark(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from British Columbia

Price Paid:  $100.00

Summary:
Just finished a 5 day hike in these boots over various Canadadian West Coast conditions and with a 47 pound pack.
The fit and comfort was very good throughout, however the toe rubber is starting to delam a bit and the lacing hardware is showing some stress.
These boots arn't as tough as I would like, and I found them slippery on wet rocks. However they were comfortable and required very little break in.

Similar Products Used:
Garmont - Trail
Very sturdy, tuff boot.
Felt good initially but still torture my feet on longer days even after significant break in.

Review Date
January 25, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: dp(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker , from NJ

Price Paid:  $125.00 at EMS

Summary:
Complains: A little clunky, a little heavy (about 3 lbs. 13oz.), tred pattern can hold too much material and cause loss of traction, eyelets are a known problem.

Honors: Warm, comfortable, supportive, great rocker action ( if used like Native American's say, walk on the front of the foot=less fatigue), long wearing soles, love that toe reinforcement! No soreness or rubbing even though I sweat alot and am silly enough to wear cotton socks ( just changed to wool). Must use gators in ankle deep snow or wet conditions. No trouble on rocks, rock walls, streets, or trails.

Yes, there are places to hike "mountains" in New Jersey. I can run or light-medium weight backpack with these no problem. I find that these boots like fluid motion, which is a very efficient method of walking, as oppossed to say basketball.

BEWARE OF CHEAP COPIES!! Recommend authorized dealers.

Customer Service:
With the first pair I had, an eyeletet broke just after purcahse. EMS replaced them no problems. Second pair still going strong.

Similar Products Used:
Hi-Tek Magnums, my favorite boot, period. Soles are the best, but wear very quickly on rocky trails. All other surfaces excellent.

Sneakers of any kind are abominable. Short lived and BOY! do they stink after they get wet.

Review Date
January 12, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Bert Fujiwara(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker , from Torrance

Price Paid:  $25.00 at Mitsuwa

Summary:
Having just purchased my shoe and wearing
it to work for 1 week, I find them comfortable and nice looking. The fit is perfect, no hot spots and they keep my heals in place perfectly. Since I have not yet used them for hiking or backpacking, I can not comment how they perform in these conditions. When summer comes around I will definitely test them out, I will there after return a comment.

Similar Products Used:
Asolo, Vasque, REI Spirit GTX