Customer Reviews Merrell Thermo Rhea Mid Waterproof

Great looking comfortable boot, true to size, a little heavier than ideal but it’s the addition of zipper entry and stiff gusset and plastic tongue (to waterproof zipper?) that make it impossible for me to wear. The stiff gusset would wear all the skin off my ankle in 20 steps. To make matters worse, the zipper entry doesn’t even work - I’m athletic, flexible and it was impossible for me to get my foot inside the boot without unlacing it anyway. Without the zipper these would have been a keeper... design team didn’t know when to stop.

I really like the fit of these boots. it felt true to size and the arch support was in the right place. I liked the side zipper feature for easy on and off. I especially liked the Vibram Arctic Grip Sole. I haven't tried it on wet ice yet but it feels like sand paper, so I hope it works.

These boots look and feel amazing! I ordered half size down, as I tried in the store. Great for winter walks and hikes, very sure-footed and comfortable. Love them!!

Usually love Merrell boots, however, these felt too wide, very sloppy. Like the side zipper, but little arch support.

Great cold weather winter boot. The zipper is covered with soft plastic so it wont freeze. But when I have the laces adjusted the zipper it’s too tight to use. I don’t mind using the laces but some others might. Very comfortable out of the box - no wearing in needed.

very good for a walking and hiking boot, easy in and out and have kept feet very warm with or without socks. Lighter on the foot too. Thinking about buying 1 more in another too.

These boots were well worth the money. I've worn them with a thick hiking sock in snowy, icy, and dry conditions on frequent walks/hikes in Colorado all winter. They are warm, comfortable, and the Arctic Grip tread lets me walk with more confidence. I tested my Keen regular hiking boots against them, and the Merrell Thermo Arctic Grip is superior in terms of traction on icy spots.

I had purchased this boot last year in a 7 1/2......which is my normal shoe size. I wore them a few times but they were a little too small. Because I love the boot, I ordered a size 8 and they fit perfect. So I would recommend for you to order a 1/2 size bigger.

I received these boots Tuesday and they fit perfectly. I already have been hiking in snow with them and they are warm and the soles grip as well as described. We are expecting more snow today and I am so glad they arrived in time.

These do run wide as other reviewers have stated, but I've found that a number of Merrell shoes do. I normally wear a size 6W and ordered these in a 6.5 with the intention of pairing with heavy socks and they fit perfectly, much better than any wide width boot that I tried. They're a bit heavier than anticipated but I'm also used to stomping around in 14 eyelet Docs. If you are not used to heavy boots, be aware that these are bulky. Have yet to try them out in the ice and snow but the tread looks like it will be able to handle anything a Midwest winter can throw.

These are attractive boots that I would have liked to have worked. I have short feet with a very wide and deep toe box and high instep. Needless to say, both my toes and my instep are rarely accommodated by winter boots. Add to that an narrow heel that leaves my heel slipping in some medium width shoes. Unfortunately Merrell is a brand known for leaving my heel slipping. Therefore, I only tried this boot because between my high arches and wide forefoot, I’d eliminated most other possibilities after reading hundreds of boot reviews. Plus I liked the height and was hopeful, despite reviews to the contrary, that I could get this boot on and off easily with just the zip, eliminating the need to adjust the laces for most general use. (Lookwise, this boot would seem in place on the streets as well as the trails.) Unfortunately Merrell’s legacy of leaving my heel slipping was not only present but amplified in this boot. My heel frankly swam in the back no matter how I adjusted. And I did have to adjust the boot a LOT to even get my foot in. At first I thought I’d be unable get my foot in. But when I got the bottom laces wide enough, my foot fairly flew in. And the resulting shoe felt oh so comfy like a sneaker. However I simply could not both adjust for my high instep and the narrow heel. Merrell has been the single worst hiking brand for my heels, but this boot took it to a whole new level. I didn’t even pull the second one out of the box. I suspect people with average insteps can probably adjust enough to tighten up the heel in most Merrells. But I wouldn’t be surprised if this particular Merrell left most people rubbing their heels raw after a little wear. As for the build, given the amount of constriction /stiffness/ potential for inflamed hot spots already provided by the presence of insulation in winter boots, I actually like that this is a less sturdy sort of hiking boot. The sneaker feel would be awesome for those it fits. And that extra insulation around the toes sounds like a dream. However, in most hiking boots, I do look for chunkier protection and semi-tough ankle coverage to really keep you safe in the backcountry when you twist your ankle a bit on an uneven trail or stub your foot on a root. You want and often need to be able to keep going at about the same speed before sundown. Merrell boots are a lighter boot than that in terms of what they will take and what they will absorb for you. But for winter I think that’s good. If you’re really out in the deeps, you likely have snowshoes on as an extra barrier anyhow, right? I’m currently sitting here with a pair of winter Keen’s wishing they had more of Merrell’s cushy give as I ponder whether to keep or return them. For a regular hiking boot the stiffer build would win hands down. For winter hiking, well, I wish I fit the Merrells.

My brother-in-law suggested I order these boots to wear on cold and icy winter days here in Minnesota. Three times when walking the metal lace hooks on the inner side of each boot hooked the boots together causing me to fall 2 of the 3 times. Since I'm 70, I can't afford to take chances of falling. Unfortunately, I will no longer wear these boots. Disappointed that I now need to search for new boots.