The Merrell Wilderness Hiking Boots truly are a classic. They've been around for a long time which, as always, is a good indication of quality. To me, they're a no-nonsense, no frills and does what it says on the tin pair of boots that will keep the average hiker comfortable on the trail.
Merrell Wilderness Hiking Boots for Men
Truly a classic pair of hiking boots, the Merrell Wilderness have been around for a very long time with many, many satisfied customers. They're a wonderful pair of hiking boots.
Summary
Brand and Model | Merrell Wilderness Hiking Boots for Men |
Retail Price | |
Our Rating | |
Pros | Boots can be worn all year round and are crampon compatible (Strap-on Only), sturdy but comfortable with firm ankle support, fabric liner is smooth preventing any possibility of chaffing, boots can be resoled, excellent toe box |
Cons | Pricey enough, check sizing if you've narrower feet |
Best Uses | Day hiking, backpacking, general outdoor use, day-to-day casual use |
Review
The men’s Original Wilderness hiking boots from Merrell is a sturdy, comfortable and durable pair of boots. The Norwegian welt construction on these leather hiking boots puts a wide platform underfoot for stability. Plus, the one-piece, top-grain leather upper with bellows tongue showcases the quality Italian craftsmanship of Merrell’s hiking footwear.
These boots have been around for a long time which highlights the quality they consistently give to customers i.e. people keep on buying them so you know they’re solid and reliable. When you’re looking for a long-lasting men’s hiking boot designed to withstand the elements, this is one of the true originals.
Many customers refer to these boots lasting 10- 15 years if looked after properly. These boots can be resoled so you can get a serious lifespan from them with proper TLC. Be sure you take them time to break these boots in. Any good leather boots always take time to get comfortable in for longer periods of use. So don't take them out on 10 miles hikes on day one, you will regret it!
Price
The retail price of the Wilderness boots is definitely on the high side. However, these are a quality pair of leather hiking boots which can be resoled. So, if you take good care of them, you could be getting a lot of use out of these boots for many years to come.
Click on the image at the start of this review or any of the product links throughout, and you will be taken through to Amazon where you can check the up to date price.
Best Uses
The Merrell Wilderness hiking boots are really an all round pair of boots. Perfect for hiking which is of course what we are mainly concerned with. However, they will work well for most outdoor activities where you need a sturdy pair of boots on your feet.
I have read that some folks even use them as work boots, the strong toe box comes in handy for that type of thing. They will also be great for casual use, for example walking around in a pair of jeans.
Customer Reviews
As of the date of this post, from about 30+ reviews I checked out, 91% gave the Merrell Wilderness Hiking boots 3 stars (out of 5) or more, 85% 4 stars or more and 72% gave 5 stars so some great scoring
Our Rating: 4 (Out of 5)
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Boots can be worn all year round and are crampon compatible (Strap-on Only)
- Sturdy but comfortable with firm ankle support
- Fabric liner is smooth preventing any possibility of chaffing
- Boots can be resoled
- Excellent toe box
Cons
- Long break in period needed (Not a big deal really)
- May not be ideal for people with narrower feet
Merrell Wilderness Hiking Boots For Men Features Summary
- Leather construction, full grain leather upper
- Synthetic sole
- Dual density footbed
- Microporous rubber midsole
- 5mm leather/TPR insole
- Vibram Trek rubber outsole
Conclusion
Something that really struck me about the customer experience with the Merrell Wilderness men's hiking boots was that so many people seemed to get a very, very long life out of these boots even after putting them through the wars. That's something that's not to be sniffed at!
I get the impression that these are the pair of boots that even when they do reach their final days, you just can't bear to part with them as they are just so comfortable. You know what I'm talking about, everyone has had at least one pair of boots or shoes like that and it's nearly emotional to have to let them go. With the resoling option on these boots, that day can be put off for many years to come 😉
If you're still unsure what type of hiking boots you should get, check out the hiking boot buying guide and my hiking boot recommendations. I hope you found this review useful. Please comment and / or share it around your networks if you did.
Have you got a pair of Merrell Wilderness hiking boots? Whats your experience with them been? We'd love to hear about it in the comments below.
