Customer Reviews Merrell Forestbound Waterproof

My previous hikers had vibram soles and offered a lot of cushioning effect. These are like clomping around with 2x4s strapped to your feet. Within days my knees, ankles and back started hurting. They tend to roll too. I'm just using them for yardwork now. Back to looking for new summer hikers.

I've been a Merrell fan for over 15 years, wearing them for active (heavy walking and climbing) 40 hour workweeks. Only one other time can I remember a hiking shoe that became so uncomfortable so quickly. The wonderful thick cushioned footbed feeling I associate with Merrell lasted in these shoes for 2 weeks, and then disappeared. I even bought new inserts after the fact, which helped for another 2 weeks. I experience daily pain in my arches and my joints from these, and can't wait to replace them. Very disappointing.

Absolutely a great shoe EXCEPT they are not waterproof. Just walking in wet lawn with the morning dew they seem to actually suck in the water through the upper leather toe area. What a disappointment! Merrell promotes and is advertising this shoe as waterproof. I just bought two pairs and the other is still new in the box. Apparently they have loss control of their manufacturing process procedures, since this Merrell J16503 (box label) or J99643 (shoe label) is not least bit waterproof.

Shoe fell apart and knees hurt after a while using them which was unusual for Merrell.