Customer Reviews Merrell Azura

I have worn Merrell hiking boots for many years. They generally last two seasons because I wear them for hiking and also in the winter (waterproof + Vibram-type soles). My last pair, bought two years ago was the Salida low-rise. It was the most comfortable pair of almost anything that I've ever put on -- and I immediately lived in it for 3 weeks in South America, hiking, climbing on lava and walking the cobbled streets of old cities. Great Boot! But as always happens, eventually the boots got compressed on the inside, and it was clearly time to buy new boots. I went looking for Merrell Salidas, only to discover that the Salida is now only made in the ankle high boot, mid-rise. Due to an old injury (plate and pins), I can't wear mid-rise boots. So I talked to Merrell who told me the Azura is built on the same last and would be a good replacement for my wonderful Salidas. I bought the boot from Zappos and have had to return it because it just ain't so. It is a different (and less comfortable last), and the shoe is VERY stiff, which is not good for climbing around on rocks. So I bought nice thick Thorlo socks from Zappos to "fill in" my old Salidas and will start looking at Other Companies for boots.

I really wanted to love these shoes - in Seattle, waterproof is a must. But the waterproofing does not last very long. My first pair started leaking within 30 days (Zappos replaced them, which was great), but the replacement pair started leaking five months later. The pair of North Face boots that I had before these lasted over four years without a single drop of water getting through. I stopped using them because they looked shabby, not because they stopped working. These look much nicer, but they are too expensive to buy new ones every few months.

Didn't get a chance to wear this pair yet. They are a replacement of another color of the same style shoe. The other color the treads on the bottom broke off in pieces. Can't understand why this happened. So Zappos being as wonderful as they are sent me a replacement in another color. I have been buying Merrell shoes for many years and this is the first time something like this has happened. I also felt the shoes were made with cheap materials in comparison to past Merrill purchases I have made.

I bought these in black. They're even cuter in person and I'd love to say I was able to keep them. Thought the size felt okay, my heel kept slipping out. I took out the insole and they fit perfectly...except they need some cushioning. I'm super bummed these didn't work.

Some of the previous reviews are spot on, when it comes to comfort. I'm a fan of Merrel, but these particular shoes aren't very comfortable. It may be my foot, but after wearing them in the house for the afternoon, my feet are so sore from all the "hard" areas inside the shoe, that I have to return them. Not much cushion at all, either. Expected much more comfort for this price.

A little about me - I walk a lot. I walk on dirt trails and asphalt, on roads and road shoulders, around the city and the suburban sidewalks. I needed a shoe that could handle the upcoming fall and winter in the northeastern United States. My old shoes and boots fell apart in less than a year, the salt on the roads and sidewalks helped destroy them, and they were never as water proof as I wanted. About the shoes - I have received many compliments on the style. It combines the rugged hiking shoe with the more indoor acceptable tennis shoe style. Colors are great - not too bright, which was a concern before buying. After thoroughly testing it on sidewalks, roads, trails, and muddy farms I can say that they are the best waterproof shoes I've worn. However, they have no traction. I have slid down the aisle of a subway twice. I've gone sliding down hills that are not steep. This makes these shoes basically useless for me.

This shoe looks really great on the foot and is very comfy for usual day wear - but, here are my other findings: 1. the shoe is not "waterproof" - specifically the mesh toe area (found this out the hard way!) 2. if using as a day-trail walking shoe - it's difficult to get a good secure lace-up so small pebbles are able to enter the shoes and frequent re-ties were required So, if you're NOT planning to use this shoe as a waterproof trail-walking shoe then it's all good - else, best to find a better option here on Zappos - perhaps the Merrell Siren 2 Sport (a very good option IF you don't have a wide foot). Happy trails!

I got the Azura on recommendation from someone at Merrell. I've worn Merrell's Siren Sport and S.S. 2 for years, but after owning about 15 pairs, I got so bored with the colors that I couldn't stand to buy them anymore. Most of the newer (and less comfortable) Merrell styles that have more up-to-date colors also have the flatter type sole, which won't accommodate my orthotic. Also, many of the Siren Sports are now waterproof, which makes them much stiffer, and less comfortable. This person at Merrell suggested the Azura, saying the fit was the most similar. I'm not sure I'd say it's very similar; it's comes up higher on the sides, and even though I put my own orthotic in them, they still don't feel comfortable. The Siren Sport felt great as soon as I put them on, with no breaking in period. The Azuras are stiff and bulky, and I'm not sure they'd ever feel comfortable. I'm sending these back, and am disappointed with Merrell. It was so simple to buy a new pair whenever I needed them or wanted a new color - which was very often, since I wear them every day. I hope I can find another brand that fits soon!

I read the reviews that there was minimal support in the footbed, but thought I'd still give them a try. I should have listened. They fit fine, but felt terrible to walk in them. There was no support or cushion at all, especially in the forefoot. They're really cute, but they're going back and I'm going to try Keen's instead.

While these shoes are super cute and felt fine when I wore them in my house, after even a short hike, my heels didn't feel right. I made sure that the shoes were not too big so I wouldn't get a friction blister. They were snug, but not too tight. However, after the hike I was made aware that the heels did not fit my feel right at all and I had blisters on the inside part of my heels from what I can only assume was extra pressure. I wouldn't wear anything but flip flops for the next couple days and my heels were pretty sore. I would not wear these shoes again. Perhaps if I had very narrow heels this wouldn't have been an issue, but then again I'm not sure.

I originally bought these shoes in the silver lining/blue color. The actual shoe color was a taupe brown. I returned the shoes and bought the same shoes in the castle rock/purple color. The shoe doesn't really have much cushioning or support. I can easily feel the sidewalk and any small rocks/twigs/etc that I walk over. These shoes have zero support for flat feet. I bought a brand name gel insole to provide better support and cushioning.

Really uncomfortable. Not evident at first. Zero support. Not a good buy for me.