MerrellWomen's Crosslander 2 Hiking Shoe

Purchased my Merrells prior to a week of daily hiking in the Smoky Mountains (6-9 miles per day.) We hiked some pretty strenuous trails full of rocks, roots, wet creek beds and slippery inclines/declines (Chimney Tops, Charlie's Bunion & parts of the Appalachian, just to name a few). I was so thrilled with my shoes as they gripped the rocks with ease and never slipped, not once! The toe box has plenty of room that my toes never felt crowded and I never felt any jarring when I would stub my toe or felt any discomfort when I would climb on the sharpest rocks or work my way over the trickiest roots. I never got any blisters either!!! I wore regular low cut athletic socks (nothing special about the socks) and they were perfect although there would have been enough room to wear thicker socks for cooler weather. I did, however, spray some a couple of coats of Camp Dry on the shoes just for added assurance they would be water resistant and easier to brush clean (I do this with all my shoes, so this wasn't anything unusual for me.) Before our trip, I walked about 3 neighborhood miles (all flat walking) just to try them out. I loved the brown/peach that I got as I think they look more like nature, but I would like to get another pair with a little more color. I got additional confirmation of knowing I picked the right shoe when I noticed that an hiking outfitter store in Gatlinburg was carrying nothing but Merrells. I wanted a durable shoe, but I also didn't want to spend a fortune, and I am very pleased with my purchase as I feel they are worth more than what I even paid for them. The shoes did feel a little "clunky" at firest compared to wearing my Sketchers walking shoes, but that is a good thing when hiking, so they definitely are a hiking shoe and not an everyday shoe, in my opinion. The "clunky" feeling went away as soon as we hit the trails. Sorry for the long review, but I wanted it to be very accurate in case you're searching for and/or researching hiking shoes.

I got the "peach/boulder" ones. I'm usually either a size 8 or 8.5 in Merrills shoes, but these looked like a style that I'd be a size 8 in (more like trail runners rather than a more padded style like moab), so I got them in size 8. Wrong move on my part; I had to return these because they were a little too small--in fact, one of the shoes was more than a little too small on one of my feet, but I'm not sure whether that was just the shoe or my foot (coincidentally, the only other time this has ever happened to me was with a different style of Merrill's shoes). I figure that particular issue is probably not a problem others will have, but I would still recommend ordering up if you're on the edge of your size or sometimes have to size up in Merrills shoes. These aren't very cushioned but they felt like they were smushing my toes right up against the toe box.I never hiked in them so I can't say how comfortable they are for hiking, but I did notice they seemed to be more focused on cushioning heels than supporting arches when they designed this shoe. The only reason I didn't re-order them in a larger size is b/c I just couldn't stand the color! I liked that they were darker brown than shown, but the baby pink accent color really bothered me (stupid considering how much I liked them otherwise, but I'm not going to spend $70 on a pair of shoes I can't stand the sight of--esp if I have to wear them every morning).The reason they get 4 stars is b/c I was looking for a pair of hiking shoes like them for months. I hike every day and I wear my hiking shoes out pretty fast so I've owned A LOT of hiking shoes. The last pair of Merrills hiking shoes I had started falling apart after the first time they got wet (eventually the seams completely tore apart) but these shoes look like they'd hold up way better! They have a nice thick tread, the seams are a lot better constructed, and the material they're made out looks like it will be able to take a lot of abuse (these aren't "vented" so they won't tear up easily!). If only they came in black.

This is my second pair of Merrells. I also have the Moab High Top Hiking Boots.These shoes are really comfortable, with a wide enough toe box for my prominent pinkies.The only reason they didn't get 5 stars is the very thin arch supports.I had to go to a custom arch support.Otherwise they are a great shoe for my park walking and canyon hiking old lady adventures

I just tried on my new low hiking boots. So far, so good! I first thought they were too loose, since there is more than enough room in the toe box. But That's okay. It will allow me to wear thicker socks when necessary. The heel seems just snug enough, not tight or rubbing. One shoe does seem snugger than the other, but I might have tied it differently or have one foot narrower. However, I like Merrell hikers, so I am happy with the overall quality of this purchase. The price is not bad at all. I believe they will last me well and long.