The Best Merrell Hiking Boots of 2026

The women’s version of these winter hiking boots safely got me through hiking in the White Mountains, from 40-degree days all the way to negative 15-degree summits. Like many reviewers say, these boots are comfortable right out of the box and are very lightweight and breathable, yet have 200 grams of insulation to keep your feet warm during frigid hikes. Their waterproof feature also works well in all weather conditions, even when you’re crossing over rivers. In addition, they have great grip on anything from slush to snow due to their deep lug depth and rubber outsoles. What’s better: their wide folding tongue also keeps snow, ice, and other debris out of my boots.

These boots do feel like they run slightly small (I went half a size up) and seem to have trouble staying tightly laced. I find myself stopping a few times per hike to re-lace them, which can be annoying if you need to undo your gaiters and snowshoes to do so. If you want to try out these boots, you can also buy them in a similar style in Women’s.

One of my avid hiking friends didn’t intend on getting hooked on these Merrell Moab boots the first time she tried them on, but says that they were comfortable right off the bat and required zero break-in time. These three-season hiking boots are made with a comfortable EVA midsole, an ergonomic nylon arch shank for stability, and include a cushioning technology that absorbs shock. In addition, they are waterproof, only weigh a light two pounds, and are built with a breathable and durable suede leather upper.

As for the complaint, there are some reviewers who say that these boots feel a bit tight in the toe box or just overall too small. There are also others who dislike the arch support because it can start to feel uncomfortable. But, if you’re favoring these boots, you can also buy them in Men’s.

If you’re looking for an affordable and capable summer hiking boot, then take a peek at these Merrells that are known for feeling light and comfortable on the feet. They keep your feet considerably protected with rubber toe caps, a closed-cell foam tongue to keep out dirt, water, and rocks, as well as a cushioned midsole that fights shock and adds stability to your foot. Although these boots are made of durable leather with a breathable lining, there seem to be a fair amount of comments about people’s feet getting too hot while hiking, or that they just simply don’t last long enough. If you want to try out these boots, you can also buy them in Women’s.

From neighborhood dog walkers to trail runners, these are the best Merrell hiking shoes for both casual-doers and performers. If you are a strong hiker who may be happier in a super lightweight, mesh shoe over having high ankle support, then these low-cut style Merrells may be the perfect fit for you (no pun intended). These ones are known for their comfort right out of the box and ability to grip wet surfaces since they have a slip-resistant, rubber sole. In addition, these hiking shoes have an ergonomic footbed with arch and cushioned-heel support, a no-debris tongue, and an abrasion-resistant toe cap. You can also buy them in Men’s.

Like many other Merrells, there are endless reviews on how comfortable these Moab 2 Mid Gtx boots are as soon as they slip on your feet for the first time. They have similar properties to a lot of the other Merrells in this review: a tongue that prevents debris from getting inside your shoe, shock-absorbing technology and great stability, a cushioned midsole and heel for comfort and support, and a rubber sole that grips wet surfaces. In addition, these Merrells are advertised as having high-tech waterproof membranes, yet so many of the reviews beg to differ. But, feel free to test out these GORE-TEX waterproof hiking boots yourself by buying them in Men’s or Women’s.