Man I’ve watched a couple of you’re reviews and they are hands down the best I’ve ever watched! Very well done man!

Hey mate your hiking boot reviews are the best out there. I have nerve damage in my foot which makes boot selection critical for me, these reviews are very helpful. Cheers.

Thank you, Aaron. This is so timely for me!

I currently have Keen Targhee 3 mids for hiking and love them still after nearly two years.

Love my Nova 2's, going for my third pair now :)

subscribed. great review info, and great video demonstrations of what we want to see! thanks dude

I have the nova 2 and they’re one of the most comfortable and best shoes I’ve owned. Just ordered the tempo today. I love the durability and quality of keens and merrells. I don’t even hike I just use them for everyday wear and they’re great shoes

Thanks! I just got the new Keen NXIS quarter boots (also comes in low-cut) and wore them 17 miles on the A.T. They’re awesome! Better sole and good toe-box. Water-proof with super light upper but will probably breakdown after 400+ miles (guessing.)

Great info… Thanks!

Great review as always! Thanks for the emphasis on the shoe’s grip. Traction is an underrated aspect of today’s weight and style conscious market. Sticky soles can save your butt in slippery conditions.

You should do a review on BELLEVILLE MINI-MIL MINIMALIST COMBAT BOOTS. I’ve seen a lot of them but you do a great job of putting all the products you get through the ringer and I trust that. Thanks for all you do buddy.

Really enjoy my Danner Mountain 600 boots. Weighs 1lb 4.6oz per shoe and have a Vibram sole. Sole does seem a bit slick compared to some others I've worn though. Very lightweight and comfortable considering its leather construction. Love the channel and congrats on your new path!

vibram soles tend to slip on smooth or wet surfaces, i.e. wet tile or wet concrete. that's why I choose keen their softer sole means less slippage when it counts.

Great video. The Vibram sole with better traction makes the Merrell the winner for my purposes.

I first discovered merrells venture into hiking boot hybrids, with the Merrell mqm flex mid. I was looking for a hiking boot that fit more like a shoe, had flexibility, wasn't leather and was light weight. I do construction work and my boss was always on my case because I always wore tennis shoes instead of boots. I hate wearing heavy clunky boots because I'm an interior trim carpenter, and my job requires speed, agility, and climbing up and down ladders all day. I also have to take my shoes off frequently when working inside someone's home. I prefer light weight shoes because I move faster, I can take them off quickly, and I'm not dieing at the end of the day from heavy boots. I loved my mqms so much that I bought a second pair, both mids and just waterproof, and then I bought a low top gortex pair of mqms for summer. I started to research other merrells and ran across the novas, and the Zion fst. I bought a pair of low top novas, and a pair of mid Zion fst. The first time I wore my novas, I was cutting trees down on a weekend, and rested the chainsaw on the toe of one of my shoes and the carburator melted it. I had only been wearing them for a few hours at this point, but I already liked them so much, I bought another pair to replace my melted pair. Eventually I bought another nova low in a different color, and finally bought a nova 2 low gortex. I know that's a lot of shoes to buy , but I wanted to make sure I had back ups. You never know when a brand is going to discontinue something and I wanted to make sure I had enough of what I liked. Though I have worn my mqms the most, I prefer my novas of the 3 styles. The novas are the only 1 of the 3 that offer vibram soles, and the vibram soles definitely last longer by far than just the regular Merrell sole. You can't even see any wear on my novas vibram soles after a year of use. My first mqms , some of the lugs are almost flat, but I have had them for almost 4 years now I think. All 3 are super comfortable, they can withstand anything you can put them through, the waterproofing is fairly decent. After about a year my mqms started to take a bit of water in if I submerged them or stood outside all day in the rain. My gortex novas are absolutely my favorite, they are light weight, and the gortex doesn't cause sweat build up or heat, like a regular boot would. On all 3 styles I have noticed slight freying in places like the video shows but no major holes or faults. I definitely recommend buying a pair of novas to anyone. They work well for work, trail, climbing, or casual.

Both good options but I'll always go with Altra Lone Peaks, got 730 miles in one jaunt out of my first pair!

I bought the Nova 2 from yiur original review. Very comfortable I wear a lot casually.

I prefer Altra personally. They have a wider toe box that is designed more like the human foot giving your toes room to splay out as you step, they are ultra light, and they dry super fast. I've had mine for 5 or 6 years now and they are still in great condition. Also they have a zero drop outsole design, which leaves my feet feeling a whole lot better at the end of the day.

I'd like to try the Keen if it had a durable sole

Yo Aaron.., got a question and possibly a favor… I’m a HUGE Esee 6 fan like you are..! You have to check out the Architect 6.5 and tell me it’s not Esee 6 killer…! Just got mine and I’m pretty frickin impressed..!! I Own 2 Esee 6’s and will never get rid of them but MAN oh MAN…! Think they mite be sitting on the shelf..! I’m know you like the Architect 5… so I’m pretty curious on your thoughts.! Anyway love the channels 👍 good shit brother!!!

Normally hike in keens recently decided to try a pair of asolo's I don't mind spending the money on good shoes but the expensive asolo's are definitely not my favorite

It's nice that Keen dialed down the massive toe bumper. which to me is ugly and overkill. Which has a larger toe box? Thanks for the review!

I love Merrell and Keen, two of few brands I can actually wear! My feet are fat and these brands always fit and durable enough with good warranty.

Lemme guess.. large sized feet too? I’ve been through countless pairs of Moabs (and Chameleons) in both low and high tops over the past 20+ years. I turned to Merrell in my former life working as a Land Surveyor.. few outdoors activities will trash footwear faster than 8-10 hours per day surveying; always wet starting with morning dew, usually muddy, never on a trail, or its a muddy rocky construction site. Unfortunately I’ve watched a slow steady decline in Merrell quality. I still buy Gortex Moab low tops today, but today’s shoe would not hold up to yesteryear’s work. Lately for the outdoors I’ve using Ecco’s Receptors and most recently Keen Targhees. The Receptors have been excellent for several years, still checking out the Targhees but so far so good (and their surprisingly light feeling).

Merrell outer sole is slippery while keen outer sole is more grippy. Merrell sole is more durrable compared to salomon. Salomon outer sole wear quite fast but their comfortable

I just bought the move mid 2, would these hold up hiking in snow? I’ll have snowshoes and gaiters on. Headed to Utah this coming week.

Haven't tried these particular boots, but my experience with Merrell and Keen basically matches yours. The Keens' sole doesn't stay grippy long and wears very fast. The Merrells last much longer, but have less durable uppers. My Merrells have had proprietary soles, not Vibram, but they have held up. Unfortunately, both brands, in both waterproof and non waterproof offerings, make my feet extremely hot--don't breathe like I need them to. Because I wear out the soles of my shoes before the uppers, I've been going with Merrells, lately. But I'm still looking for the perfect breathable hiker.

Nova 2 any day of the week!

Are the Nova2 mid discontinued or something? Can’t find them for sale anywhere. Not even Merrell website.

How squishy are the Nova 2s? I just bought a set of Moab Speeds but might exchange them for the Novas if they're super squishy, thanks!

Nova 2 for me!

Where did you find the Mid Olive option ?

What are your thoughts on barefoot style boots/shoes ie vivobare, xeroshoe etc

I got them Salomon ones

Any options like these but zero drop?

Always preferred my Keens over my Merrells

I actually purchased a pair of Georgia work boots a few years ago to try to use as a tough, rugged hiker. After adding two layers of full length gel insoles for comfort, they're just too stiff and heavy to use.

which one has the more wider toe box?

Disappointing to see the wear on the fabric of the Merrell's. Looks like the treads will be still be in good shape when the fabric finally tears. I have leather Merrell's and they are lightweight and strong. Very impressed by them. Have tried Keen's ever since they hit the market, but I have never found a pair that has fit my foot properly. Can't blame them for that. Vasque has always been my favorite for long lasting, light weight hikers. Have worn out bottoms before the fabric. Had many pairs, different styles, and I can always depend on them to last. Really liking my Merrell's now as well. Asolo's, like another poster mentioned, not impressed for the amount of money I spent on them.

Ill stick to my salomon speed cross 5s. Although keens are on my list. The speed cross 5s kick ass

you were wearing one of each during this video weren't you...

I wounder how both would do with 40 pounds pack on?

I bought two pairs of Merrell. was not impressed. Comfy at first, but the bottoms we're not durable. If you stepped too hard on a pebble it would effectively dent the shoe. Leaving and uncomfortable bump that was impossible to get out completely. Both did this. Also, the laces are too soft and slick, they did not lend themselves to outdoor activities as anything could catch them and untie them.

Engagement.

Ive always bought Merrell but since Merrell has become "woke" I'm done with that company.

Keen is much durable compared to merrell

Kinda, kinda, kinda, kinda, kinda……… 🤦‍♂️