The Merrell Nova 3 is an outstanding outdoor shoe that has been specially designed for adventures in the great outdoors. This shoe offers functionality, comfort and style, making it the ideal companion for hiking, trekking and other outdoor adventures. With its robust construction made of durable material and abrasion-resistant sole, the Merrell Nova 3 defies the challenges of the terrain, be it on rocky paths or muddy trails. Your comfort is paramount, thanks to a padded insole and a stable yet flexible outsole. The breathable design also ensures good ventilation and dry feet. The grippy outsole with multi-directional lugs ensures excellent traction on a variety of surfaces, whether wet, stony or uneven. However, the Merrell Nova 3 not only impresses with its function, but also with its appealing design. With its modern and sporty design, it is suitable for outdoor activities as well as everyday wear. As a renowned brand for high-quality outdoor shoes, Merrell stands for quality and reliability. Whether you are an enthusiastic hiker, camper or nature lover, the Merrell Nova 3 will accompany you on your way. Rely on its durability, traction and the unsurpassed comfort it offers. Order your Merrell Nova 3 today and get ready for unforgettable adventures in the great outdoors!
The Merrell Nova 3 is an outstanding outdoor shoe that has been specially designed for adventures in the great outdoors. This shoe offers functionality, comfort and style, making it the ideal companion for hiking, trekking and other outdoor adventures. With its robust construction made of durable material and abrasion-resistant sole, the Merrell Nova 3 defies the challenges of the terrain, be it on rocky paths or muddy trails. Your comfort is paramount, thanks to a padded insole and a stable yet flexible outsole. The breathable design also ensures good ventilation and dry feet. The grippy outsole with multi-directional lugs ensures excellent traction on a variety of surfaces, whether wet, stony or uneven. However, the Merrell Nova 3 not only impresses with its function, but also with its appealing design. With its modern and sporty design, it is suitable for outdoor activities as well as everyday wear. As a renowned brand for high-quality outdoor shoes, Merrell stands for quality and reliability. Whether you are an enthusiastic hiker, camper or nature lover, the Merrell Nova 3 will accompany you on your way. Rely on its durability, traction and the unsurpassed comfort it offers. Order your Merrell Nova 3 today and get ready for unforgettable adventures in the great outdoors!
The Merrell Nova 3 is an outstanding outdoor shoe that has been specially designed for adventures in the great outdoors. This shoe offers functionality, comfort and style, making it the ideal companion for hiking, trekking and other outdoor adventures. With its robust construction made of durable material and abrasion-resistant sole, the Merrell Nova 3 defies the challenges of the terrain, be it on rocky paths or muddy trails. Your comfort is paramount, thanks to a padded insole and a stable yet flexible outsole. The breathable design also ensures good ventilation and dry feet. The grippy outsole with multi-directional lugs ensures excellent traction on a variety of surfaces, whether wet, stony or uneven. However, the Merrell Nova 3 not only impresses with its function, but also with its appealing design. With its modern and sporty design, it is suitable for outdoor activities as well as everyday wear. As a renowned brand for high-quality outdoor shoes, Merrell stands for quality and reliability. Whether you are an enthusiastic hiker, camper or nature lover, the Merrell Nova 3 will accompany you on your way. Rely on its durability, traction and the unsurpassed comfort it offers. Order your Merrell Nova 3 today and get ready for unforgettable adventures in the great outdoors!
The Merrell Nova 3 is an outstanding outdoor shoe that has been specially designed for adventures in the great outdoors. This shoe offers functionality, comfort and style, making it the ideal companion for hiking, trekking and other outdoor adventures. With its robust construction made of durable material and abrasion-resistant sole, the Merrell Nova 3 defies the challenges of the terrain, be it on rocky paths or muddy trails. Your comfort is paramount, thanks to a padded insole and a stable yet flexible outsole. The breathable design also ensures good ventilation and dry feet. The grippy outsole with multi-directional lugs ensures excellent traction on a variety of surfaces, whether wet, stony or uneven. However, the Merrell Nova 3 not only impresses with its function, but also with its appealing design. With its modern and sporty design, it is suitable for outdoor activities as well as everyday wear. As a renowned brand for high-quality outdoor shoes, Merrell stands for quality and reliability. Whether you are an enthusiastic hiker, camper or nature lover, the Merrell Nova 3 will accompany you on your way. Rely on its durability, traction and the unsurpassed comfort it offers. Order your Merrell Nova 3 today and get ready for unforgettable adventures in the great outdoors!
Last updated at 05/30/2025 19:28:37
originally posted on merrell.com
This is a lightweight good-looking shoe for all around activities, trail or no trail. I think the Olive color of the Nova 3 is the best colorway so far. However, I found them to be an uncomfortable fit for me. The outside edge of the soles felt elevated and stiff to me. I went to an outlet store near me to try on other pairs to see if I had received a defective shoe, but they all felt this way. I've owned many Merrell's in the past, including prior Novas (without Gore-tex), but I've never felt this before. I can't speak to durability. I was disappointed because the look is so great and would work well as an all-around shoe. Merrell- please make more subtle earth-toned colorways!
originally posted on merrell.com
I am usually apprehensive about 'new and improved' versions of products that I am completely happy with as-is. Such was the case with the Merrell Nova shoe: would the new version be less comfortable, or use cheaper, less durable materials than the older one?First off, the sizing. As advised, I ordered 1/2 size smaller because they're supposed to run large. That was a mistake, because the smaller numeric size was physically too small for me, and I had to return them for my usual size - which fit perfectly.As far as comfort goes, once I got the correct size, they felt great, cushioning in the right places and gripping well.For durability, the materials seem to be of reasonably good quality, but I'll reserve judgement on it after wearing them a few months.
originally posted on merrell.com
These are some of the best shoes that I own. I have tried many, some Merrell’s, but mostly many other top brands. The support is great for long days on my feet at work on concrete floors. Plenty of room up front for the toes and no weird rubbing anywhere else. Also good for neighborhood walks, a little more than two miles a day. Plenty of cushion so no sore feet. But the best enjoyment comes while on our weekly 4 mile hike through the woods on all types of terrain. This is where they really shine for me. Traction over wet rocks, muddy spots, leaves and pine needles is great too. Oh…and the rock plate is just right…not stiff or heavy like some. Right now they are my favorite shoes!
This is a lightweight good-looking shoe for all around activities, trail or no trail. I think the Olive color of the Nova 3 is the best colorway so far. However, I found them to be an uncomfortable fit for me. The outside edge of the soles felt elevated and stiff to me. I went to an outlet store near me to try on other pairs to see if I had received a defective shoe, but they all felt this way. I've owned many Merrell's in the past, including prior Novas (without Gore-tex), but I've never felt this before. I can't speak to durability. I was disappointed because the look is so great and would work well as an all-around shoe. Merrell- please make more subtle earth-toned colorways!
I am usually apprehensive about 'new and improved' versions of products that I am completely happy with as-is. Such was the case with the Merrell Nova shoe: would the new version be less comfortable, or use cheaper, less durable materials than the older one?First off, the sizing. As advised, I ordered 1/2 size smaller because they're supposed to run large. That was a mistake, because the smaller numeric size was physically too small for me, and I had to return them for my usual size - which fit perfectly.As far as comfort goes, once I got the correct size, they felt great, cushioning in the right places and gripping well.For durability, the materials seem to be of reasonably good quality, but I'll reserve judgement on it after wearing them a few months.
These are some of the best shoes that I own. I have tried many, some Merrell’s, but mostly many other top brands. The support is great for long days on my feet at work on concrete floors. Plenty of room up front for the toes and no weird rubbing anywhere else. Also good for neighborhood walks, a little more than two miles a day. Plenty of cushion so no sore feet. But the best enjoyment comes while on our weekly 4 mile hike through the woods on all types of terrain. This is where they really shine for me. Traction over wet rocks, muddy spots, leaves and pine needles is great too. Oh…and the rock plate is just right…not stiff or heavy like some. Right now they are my favorite shoes!
I own multiple pairs of both Nova 2 and now Nova 3. I loved the design of the 2 but found it to be just the slightest bit restrictive in the width. The 3s are very close to the same but have opened up just enough to feel perfect. I love the design and wear the 3's all the time. They have great durability and are wonderful for working long twelve-hour shifts on concrete. Excellent quality for the price, and lots of great colorway options. The only weird stuff is the loop over the toe box that's got no point, and the velcro cap on the heel that also has no point. I have found that in the wrong conditions, this velcro can get packed with dirt and start to flap off the back of the shoe. These useless features can be removed on the next Nova iteration while keeping the ... MoreI own multiple pairs of both Nova 2 and now Nova 3. I loved the design of the 2 but found it to be just the slightest bit restrictive in the width. The 3s are very close to the same but have opened up just enough to feel perfect. I love the design and wear the 3's all the time. They have great durability and are wonderful for working long twelve-hour shifts on concrete. Excellent quality for the price, and lots of great colorway options. The only weird stuff is the loop over the toe box that's got no point, and the velcro cap on the heel that also has no point. I have found that in the wrong conditions, this velcro can get packed with dirt and start to flap off the back of the shoe. These useless features can be removed on the next Nova iteration while keeping the same great fit and style and they'll be perfect overall!
The sizing is wrong. Too big in length and width. Thought I bought the wrong size. 11.5 is almost a 12. I'm guessing they screwed up manufacturing. The sizing is big but short of .5. The material is cheap anyway. Quality is kind of a joke for the price. Inconsistent sizes between styles is very frustrating considering everything is moving online. Box stores only have one color and good luck finding your size. After several pairs of Merrells I won't be buying another. Why risk getting another pair that doesn't fit right. Sucks I have to waste my time mailing them back. Sure its free.... if you already have shipping material and live next door to FedEx. Frustrating enough already. A company charging this much money should know how to label sizes correctly.
At the store and out of the box… Amazing! Comfortable! Supportive! The bottom of the sole has superb grip. After a week the ankle support started to give way. Was able to slightly correct by dropping the laces to the bottom hole. The second week the top of the soles become so compressed I had about 1/4 of play left to right and front to back. The mesh on the top and sides of the shoe become so stretched out the shoe no longer offered any support. The heel was still cushy. Primarily used them for urban walking 3-5 miles per day. Merrell refuses to say they are defective. So the shoes have been dead weight in my suitcase while I traveled abroad for two months. Hoping Dicks will be able to do something with a return but probably outside their terms. Merrells use to ... MoreAt the store and out of the box… Amazing! Comfortable! Supportive! The bottom of the sole has superb grip. After a week the ankle support started to give way. Was able to slightly correct by dropping the laces to the bottom hole. The second week the top of the soles become so compressed I had about 1/4 of play left to right and front to back. The mesh on the top and sides of the shoe become so stretched out the shoe no longer offered any support. The heel was still cushy. Primarily used them for urban walking 3-5 miles per day. Merrell refuses to say they are defective. So the shoes have been dead weight in my suitcase while I traveled abroad for two months. Hoping Dicks will be able to do something with a return but probably outside their terms. Merrells use to last me 8-10 years. A pair of boots and a pair of flip flops lasted about 6 months. These shoes two weeks. Time to move on to something that still has a quality build.
My height: 5'10", weight: 185 lb activity: about 200 km/month +/- on flat ground, asphalt and gravel mostly After the first 200 km, almost all the lugs under the ball of the foot were so used up they all looked flat, that is, almost completely shaven off, no height left. So the Vibram sole is not durable. A lot of cushioning, thus comfortable to walk with. However, if walking nonstop for 15 km, you will start feeling your feet. Perhaps there is no shoe that can keep you feeling comfortable after 15 km of non-stop walking, so maybe it is not the Nova 3's fault. The back of the heel has some padding, so it took a while before the beginning of a blister started appearing. By that time, the inside fabric had worn out and there wasn't enough padding left. If you walk at ... MoreMy height: 5'10", weight: 185 lb activity: about 200 km/month +/- on flat ground, asphalt and gravel mostly After the first 200 km, almost all the lugs under the ball of the foot were so used up they all looked flat, that is, almost completely shaven off, no height left. So the Vibram sole is not durable. A lot of cushioning, thus comfortable to walk with. However, if walking nonstop for 15 km, you will start feeling your feet. Perhaps there is no shoe that can keep you feeling comfortable after 15 km of non-stop walking, so maybe it is not the Nova 3's fault. The back of the heel has some padding, so it took a while before the beginning of a blister started appearing. By that time, the inside fabric had worn out and there wasn't enough padding left. If you walk at a leisurely pace, that's ok. But as soon as you go fast for a sustained period of time, you will start feeling a burn right at the back of your heel. So inner padding worn out after 2 months only of having used the Nova 3, again 200 km the first month, and 230 km the second month. So I am not impressed.After the second month, I thought I'd try the Merrell MTL LongSky 2, a trail runner. They are lighter, the sole is harder, so less comfy, also almost no padding at the back of the heel and this meant that blisters were instant from day 1 and that's when not even running, just walking at a normal pace but for 2 hours a day, sometimes 4 hours on the weekend without a break. Average distance per month is same as when using the Nova 3. But the biggest difference is the sole: Doesn't get used up as fast as the Nova 3, the lugs are higher and still in good shape and thus afford a lot more grip and control than the Nova 3. The upper is made of a very breathable and thin mesh that is not sturdy at all. After one month, a hole starting forming in the mesh where my right foot pinky is located, and it keeps getting ever so slightly bigger. For a pair of shoes that is not cheap to have the upper start breaking down after just now 4 months of use is not what I call a quality build. The Nova 3 also has started displaying fraying in the same location, but since the upper isn't made of a thin mesh, there is no hole yet, but you can see that it is just a matter of time.Weather: Nova 3 will feel too hot above 25C, whereas MTL LongSky 2 because of its mesh construction will be comfortable all the way up to 30C. If it drizzles, the Nova 3 will keep you dry, the MTL LongSky 2, not. For cooler weather, ie < 20C, Nova 3 is ok all the way down to 15C. MTL LongSky 2 is just for warm/hot weather.Fit: both fit exactly, MTL LongSky 2 a bit tight so I went 1/2 size up. Both also keep your ankle from wobbling, with the lace system and the sole giving the right support, even if you don't lace tight, you won't get any tendon fatigue like with those runners that are too soft and let your ankle wobble all the time.Conclusion: for the occasional walk-about in an urban park, or an easy trail in a national park, the Nova 3 are ok. Just don't push yourself too much and don't carry a heavy backpack or attempt technical terrain. The MTL LongSky 2 is more of a running shoe. So I am still looking for the elusive, sturdy, light, comfortable, not pricey, breathable hiking shoe with a durable sole, meaning that will last at least 1 year. If that is too much to ask...Hope this helps you make a more informed choice. God knows there is a plethora of choices and not enough objective reviews.
I have worn these, replacing my Merrell Moab Flight, which were my favorite trail hiking shoe, and have found them to be nearly equal to them. The Moab Flight was softer, which I liked, these are a little stiffer feeling, less cushion to the foot, but I am OK with it. I prefer the cushion of the Moab Flight over these, but that is about it. This shoe appears to have slightly more sole depth, which was somewhat of a downfall for the the Moab Flight, and I would wear them out, through the soles, in about eight to nine months. We will see how these fare against the same elements and trails as the last three pairs of the Moab Flight lasted exactly the same.I hike about 1200 miles a year, hopefully with the thicker sole I can get a year out of these shoes.
Just took my new Nova 3's on my first walk on the trails behind my house and actually fell down because I slipped on a wet rock face that I have never had issues navigating before. On the rest of my walk I noticed my feet were slipping on the damp sidewalk and when walking up my driveway. I actually had to focus not to slip, even when walking casually when there was minimal grade. It seems while the lugs may provide traction in dirt, grass, etc., the Vibram soles aren't tacky/sticky at all as my previous pair of Merrell's (which I've worn for 3 years without issue). I'm disappointed because I feel like I can only wear these shoes on 100% dry trails that have no rocks or roots, and I absolutely will not be wearing them on wet pavement or other hard surfaces. I ... MoreJust took my new Nova 3's on my first walk on the trails behind my house and actually fell down because I slipped on a wet rock face that I have never had issues navigating before. On the rest of my walk I noticed my feet were slipping on the damp sidewalk and when walking up my driveway. I actually had to focus not to slip, even when walking casually when there was minimal grade. It seems while the lugs may provide traction in dirt, grass, etc., the Vibram soles aren't tacky/sticky at all as my previous pair of Merrell's (which I've worn for 3 years without issue). I'm disappointed because I feel like I can only wear these shoes on 100% dry trails that have no rocks or roots, and I absolutely will not be wearing them on wet pavement or other hard surfaces. I compared the soles to my old Merrell's when I got home, as well as the pair of Fly Strike's I just purchases, and indeed the Nova's Vibram soles are more like hard plastic compared to the other shoes' relatively tacky, soft outsoles. Too bad, because living on the West Coast of Canada, it's damp here more than dry, and I feel like it's too risky to wear them if there's any chance of rain.Otherwise, the shoes fit pretty well and are comfortable out of the box. They are slightly on the spacious side but that works for me I think, and I love the softness of the midsole as someone with sensitive heels. The tongue has extra padding to make them comfy, and the laces perform nicely.I would love these shoes if they performed even average in wet weather, but I'm disappointed to say that, while they are otherwise comfy, they feel more like a liability. I'm lucky that I didn't break my wrist today falling on damp rocks that I walk on daily 10m from my back door, and I'm not sure if I'll be wearing these again, and will have to sell and take the financial loss. Too bad, because they're so close, but I can't risk my safety.
I bought the Nova 3 Gore-Tex pair for my 2-week trek in the backcountry of Southern Patagonia. I knew the Novas are more light-weight trail-runners but I always like to push the limits and I like lightness and efficiency than shoes with outright more sturdy/rugged designs. I have strong legs and ankles so my thinking is this low-top less rugged pair will fit my habits/style me well. The Nova 3 Gore-Tex performed well in the backcountry for me. I knew I wanted my first Gore-Tex pair as my last 2 Merrells did not fair well in puddles and wet conditions. This turned out to be a godsend as unfortunately I stepped into a few puddles and muddy patches which would have normally soaked my prior Merrell's but the Nova3 held up fantastic!My trip involved a lot of technical ... MoreI bought the Nova 3 Gore-Tex pair for my 2-week trek in the backcountry of Southern Patagonia. I knew the Novas are more light-weight trail-runners but I always like to push the limits and I like lightness and efficiency than shoes with outright more sturdy/rugged designs. I have strong legs and ankles so my thinking is this low-top less rugged pair will fit my habits/style me well. The Nova 3 Gore-Tex performed well in the backcountry for me. I knew I wanted my first Gore-Tex pair as my last 2 Merrells did not fair well in puddles and wet conditions. This turned out to be a godsend as unfortunately I stepped into a few puddles and muddy patches which would have normally soaked my prior Merrell's but the Nova3 held up fantastic!My trip involved a lot of technical areas, some minor scrambling. Nova3s held up well except it's construction is more for a trail-runner it was not suited well in other technical areas. As a result the fabric in a few areas started to wear and fray from abrasions with the environment. This is not anything wrong with Nova3 itself, rather I am pushing these shoes to the extremes, and they still performed well other than the outer fraying. This is the only reason for a 4 and not 5 star.pros: lightness, traction, waterproofnesscons: lightweight construction will use less rugged materialsMost other trekkers had the full-fledge rugged high-top shoes compared to my Nova3s and I was still outpacing them :D
