Merrell Hikers for Hunting

[kphunter]

Anyone wear these boots for hunting?

 

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Merrell174-Reflex-Mid-GORE-TEX174-Hiker/748384.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2 Fsearch%2F%3FN%3D5101188%26Ne%3D5101188%26Ntk%3DAl lProducts%26Ntt%3DMerrell%26Ntx%3Dmode%252Bmatchal lpartial%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts%26WTz_st%3DSearchRefinements%26form _state%3DsearchForm%26search%3DMerrell%26searchTyp eByFilter%3DAllProducts%26x%3D0%26y%3D0&Ntt=Merrel l&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

 

They have the Gore-Tex lining and appear very comfortable. Wonder if they will hold up to the rigors of hunting the desert and under harsh conditions. Any opinions? I've been wearing Danner's for a while and still like them but wondering if these would be a lighter, more comfortable option.

 

Ken

[COOSEFAN]

I recently just bought those same boots in the Bargain Cave at Cabelas. They looked brand new, not sure why they were returned but I got them for $90! I have worn them quite a bit since, even in wet conditions and they have been awesome. My buddy swears by them and he puts more backcountry miles on than me. At his reccomendation, I also went to WalMart and did that Dr. Scholls computer thing to find out which specialized inserts to buy and have been wearing those insert with these boots. Not sure if it's just because of the inserts, but I can hike all day in these and never get sore feet, and that's a first for me! JIM>

[huntjunkie]

Don't have these particular boots but i wear the merrel phaser peak. Have over 300 miles on them. Been in every condition possible. Javi hunts to elk hunts over 11,000 ft. Love them never had a blister or hot spot. Provide great ankle support and the soles are amazing. very little signs of wear. I like merrel's

[John O]

I have for the last several years. I have really tough feet to fit, and they are perfect. If I hunt fairly hard, they only last me for one season, but for me that is worth it. My feet are a little weird, and are prone to blister with anything else. They have held up very well in wet conditions as well. I don't think you can go wrong for the price. Also keep in mind that Merrell has a one year unconditional warranty. I have used it, and had a new pair of boots at my door in less than 5 days.

[dzell]

you wont regret wearing merrels while hunting the most light wieght comfterable hikers in any situation.

[CouesWhitetail]

I have a pair that looks just like those although I bought them several years ago so maybe they are not the same model (?). I am unimpressed with the ankle support. To me they are just like tennis shoes.....they are ok for flat terrain, but for rough country I much prefer my Kenetreks.

http://www.santanaoutdoors.com/servlet/the-376/Kenetrek-Women%27s-Mountain-Hiker/Detail

[Jimmer Negamanee]

I’ve had several pairs of an earlier model of these boots. I’ve always really liked them. There is no break-in period and they are LIGHT. You could snug ‘em up and basically run a 10K in them, right out of the box.

 

After reading a bunch on CWT.com (thank you, Amanda) I figured that a quality insert was in order. I started using the SuperFeet Sport insert (the green ones) and I found that they make these boots even better.

 

After these, I went to the Merrell Phaser Peak boot which are a little higher and have even more support (still with the SuperFeet inserts though) and although I like them, I will consider going back to the lighter hikers when the Phaser Peak’s buy the farm.

 

The down side is that I get two, maybe three years out of hikers. And I’m not out pounding the hills every weekend (also, my backpack is rarely burdened down with game, but that’s another story). But it’s so nice to not have a break-in period. (Remember that while your foot is breaking your boot in, your boot is breaking your foot in.)

 

It’d be nice to have a comfortable boot that lasted 5 to 10 years but it’s be tortuous to have an uncomfortable boot last that long.

 

Just my $.02.