Merrell Men's Zion Hiking Shoe

Product Information

Merrell's new Zion mid walking boots are almost impossibly lightweight but are they any good at hacking through muddy trails? Ballistic mesh is very durable but still lightweight and the leather is full grain so high quality and adds a touch of class without too much weight. But the sneaker-inspired hiking shoes do have a lot going for them: glove-like comfort straight out of the box, excellent grip, Gore-Tex’s trademark level of waterproofing, and good flexibility for a range of outdoor uses. The Gore-Tex waterproofing also lived up to its reputation, keeping my feet dry over boggy ground and during a light downpour, while the shoe build provided good stability and protection and I was pretty convinced they’d be durable enough for longer-term use. They allow us to adapt the presentation of our site, using in particular the A/B testing solution Dynamic Yield.

There is a protective rubber toe cap, keeping your toes safe on rocky terrain and enabling some basic jamming of your shoe into cracks and crevices while scrambling; and the metal eyelets, webbing loops and stability arm are more than adequate for a lacing system. They were very lightweight too (lighter than many other pairs of approach shoes I’ve owned in the past), which made me feel fast, light and nimble on my feet. When you connect to our site, subject to your choices, we (or our partners) may be required to install various cookies on your device that allow us to recognise your browser while the cookie is active. Megagrip is softer and tackier than many other rubber compounds, making it better at glomming and holding onto uneven and slick surfaces. We’ve been wearing the Zion since it was released in the fall, and it’s one of the few hiking boots in our closet that we find stylish enough to use in casual settings.You can use the "Ok, I accept", "No, I refuse" or "Cookie Settings" buttons to express your choice(s). Overall, Merrell claims these have a ‘hiking boots meet sneakers’ dynamic that’s perfect for work or the trail. Built on a trail running platform for a trainer-like fit, it provides comfort and style from the word go. Lace up a pair of Merrell Zion waterproof active shoes and enjoy support and stability on low hikes, rocky trails and during all urban pursuits, whatever the weather. Garments engineered with GORE-TEX® Active product technology are built for extreme breathability and are ideal for highly aerobic, done in a day activities.

I also liked the higher levels of cushioning under the foot, reminiscent of a trail running shoe, which gave me a slight spring in my step. The boot is ready for any hiking trail – whether it is through fields, on a path or on muddy or rocky terrain. Designed to take you from your doorstep to the trail and beyond, they unlock adventure from the first step. The lug pattern is deep at 5mm but widely spaced, which is good for shedding deep claggy mud like we seem to get a lot of in the UK in winter. Unfortunately, these qualities make it wear down more quickly, though our pair is still in good shape.Garments engineered with GORE-TEX® product technology offer a unique solution for specific activities and climate conditions, to individually fit consumers needs. Otherwise, the boot doesn’t feel clunky or heavy, partially because it was designed on a trail running shoe last, which generally has a lower volume than a traditional boot last for a snugger fit. Thankfully, we learned better and started charging straight on through the muck, which was actually more fun anyway. It was the adventure of a lifetime: wild landscapes, rugged mountains, knife-edge ridges, sunset camps and charming bothies. Having said that the lacing doesn't extend particularly far down towards the toes and the toe box is roomy.