It seems that hiking shoes are all the rage these days. It’s getting rare that I’ll see full on hiking boot on the average day hike here in the Seattle area. Thankfully though, companies like Merrell still make them for those of us that like ankle support.
As you can probably tell, The Outbound Mid Gore-Tex is a full hiking boot that utilizes Gore-Tex. As one would expect, your foot is going to stay dry if the boot gets wet and it will breathe as you sweat. Merrell also chose to use a Vibram sole in the Outbound. These days, this is all pretty standard as far as mid to high end hiking boots go.
Merrell does go out of their way for some of the details though. The Vibram soles include a bit more rubber on the toes of the boots that makes scrambling up rocks incredibly easy. The lug pattern is designed well enough that I’ve never had any problems with mud caking to the soles. Even the tongue is attached high enough to keep water out, but low enough that it’s easy to get in and out of the boots.
Perhaps one of my biggest pet peeves with any pair of boots is rock scrapes. The vast majority of boot makers out there only include protective rubber on the toe box. However, when you go hiking, your boots are going to get scraped from all sides. I’ve had more than one pair of boots give out due to rock damage on the sides. The Outbound on the other hand, has a rubber guard around the entire bottom of the boot. This should significantly increase the lifespan of a pair of boots on my feet.
If you regularly read Daily Hiker, you know that we test a lot of footwear. It seems like at least one of us is testing a new pair of boots/shoes on every hike we go on. Through all these tests, I’ve gotten fairly particular about my boots. It’s not often that I find a pair of boots that I like enough that I’d pay full retail and buy them myself. The Outbound Mid from Merrell are just such a pair of boots; they’re just that good.
I’ve tested these boots for a couple months now and I have yet to have a complaint. The Outbound Mid is comfortable on longer and steeper hikes. I have yet to find a situation on a trail that these boots can’t handle. They are a bit overkill for a 3 mile stroll through the forest. If it starts to pour though, your feet will stay comfortable and dry.
It is without exaggeration that I say that these are the best boots I have worn. They are extremely comfortable and just as durable. They fit perfectly and have yet to cause a blister. If Daily Hiker had a ‘gear of the year’ or ‘editor’s choice’ award, the Merrell Outbound Mid would get it. At $185 MSRP, these are not what I would consider cheap boots. However, this is a case of getting what you pay for. Merrell also makes a leather version of the Outbound that retails for $210. If you’re in the market for a new pair of hiking boots, take a look at the Outbound Mid. You won’t regret it.
Product sample provided by the manufacturer for review purposes.
Good review of the Merrell boots.
A few years ago a friend in the Special Forces told me about how light and fast Merrell’s were. I’ve owned several of their mid hiker’s since and found them to be good boots. However, once they got completely soaked (especially in snow), they never kept my feet dry again. Then last year we stopped at the Merrell Outlet Store in Woodbrook OR and I found a pair of Merrell Backpacker’s and they are by far the best boot I’ve ever worn. I’ve stood in creeks, crossed large snow fields, and climbed rocks they are still perfectly comfortable.
Keep up the gear reviews. I’m always looking for products that may get us a little further out on the trail.