Merrell's roots are on the trail with a rich history of backpacking with boots like the Wilderness. But things have changed in the last 41 years and that's what prompted them to create the new Rogue Hiker. They set out to create the best hiking shoe in the world that has three key elements: lightness, traction and durability. Because when carrying a heavy backpack, it's not just about stability and directional stability, but also every single gram. The market is full of robust, heavy backpacking boots, so Merrell took a unique approach to the design.
Merrell's roots are on the trail with a rich history of backpacking with boots like the Wilderness. But things have changed in the last 41 years and that's what prompted them to create the new Rogue Hiker. They set out to create the best hiking shoe in the world that has three key elements: lightness, traction and durability. Because when carrying a heavy backpack, it's not just about stability and directional stability, but also every single gram. The market is full of robust, heavy backpacking boots, so Merrell took a unique approach to the design.
Merrell's roots are on the trail with a rich history of backpacking with boots like the Wilderness. But things have changed in the last 41 years and that's what prompted them to create the new Rogue Hiker. They set out to create the best hiking shoe in the world that has three key elements: lightness, traction and durability. Because when carrying a heavy backpack, it's not just about stability and directional stability, but also every single gram. The market is full of robust, heavy backpacking boots, so Merrell took a unique approach to the design.
Merrell's roots are on the trail with a rich history of backpacking with boots like the Wilderness. But things have changed in the last 41 years and that's what prompted them to create the new Rogue Hiker. They set out to create the best hiking shoe in the world that has three key elements: lightness, traction and durability. Because when carrying a heavy backpack, it's not just about stability and directional stability, but also every single gram. The market is full of robust, heavy backpacking boots, so Merrell took a unique approach to the design.
Last updated at 03/20/2025 00:42:14
originally posted on merrell.com
I only got about 50 wears out of these. After paying $230....So I bought these for a new job in October. I work in land surveying In New England. So I work in terrain very similar to the Appalacian Trail.I wore them till December (3 months total) and then started wearing them again in March. After 4 month total of wear time they were wrecked. so I only got about 50 wears out of them. At first I loved them. After about a month I started to see the low quality. My sole had to be expoxyd. I have tears in my gortex that water started coming in. The upper started to tear.I kept maintaining repairs so that I could keep working and wouldn't have to but new shoes. It took me awhile to save for these boots that I thought would be good.Some could argue that with ... MoreI only got about 50 wears out of these. After paying $230....So I bought these for a new job in October. I work in land surveying In New England. So I work in terrain very similar to the Appalacian Trail.I wore them till December (3 months total) and then started wearing them again in March. After 4 month total of wear time they were wrecked. so I only got about 50 wears out of them. At first I loved them. After about a month I started to see the low quality. My sole had to be expoxyd. I have tears in my gortex that water started coming in. The upper started to tear.I kept maintaining repairs so that I could keep working and wouldn't have to but new shoes. It took me awhile to save for these boots that I thought would be good.Some could argue that with surveying my job is rougher on books and I assure that I put the same wear as any hiker with about 5-10 miles a day tracked.Probably a good idea to get wax laces for these because the laces come undone by stretching out and falling off the hooks.When I first bought these boots for the first month I thought they were great until they started to fall apart. They were comfy and I loved them. But then it just became a lot of falling apart rapidly.The tread is the only upside and my tread I did have to re-epoxy onto the shoe. I really like the tread pattern.
originally posted on merrell.com
I’ve worn the Moab hiking for years in Southern Appalachia. However, after moving to New England, I needed a shoe with more grip on exposed rock. After trying a few competitors, I came back to Merrell, this time with the Rogue. The Rogue has been every bit of the shoe I hoped for: comfortable, durable, and grippy (even on a wet surface). I’ve thrown away all my other hiking shoes and grab the Rogue whenever I’m going to a trail.I also have the Thermo Rogue and love it just as much for winter adventures (although I usually wear them with spikes).
originally posted on merrell.com
I bought these in order to get more cushioning and ankle support while hiking steep, rocky, rooted up trails in the Cascades. The orange color was also an attraction, as well. Although I was at first a bit concerned that the wide heel on these would hang up in tight trails, that concern turned out to be unfounded, and the wider, running-shoe-like heel actually provides additional support and balance on sketchy terrain.They were presumably designed as a heavier weight boot for backpacking - so far I haven't tried them with that, but they work fine with my 20-lb. day pack. At 70 years old, I'm not as spry as I was at 30, and any footwear feature I can get to help protect my knees and add traction and stability is welcomed - and these Rogue Hikers do very well.
I only got about 50 wears out of these. After paying $230....So I bought these for a new job in October. I work in land surveying In New England. So I work in terrain very similar to the Appalacian Trail.I wore them till December (3 months total) and then started wearing them again in March. After 4 month total of wear time they were wrecked. so I only got about 50 wears out of them. At first I loved them. After about a month I started to see the low quality. My sole had to be expoxyd. I have tears in my gortex that water started coming in. The upper started to tear.I kept maintaining repairs so that I could keep working and wouldn't have to but new shoes. It took me awhile to save for these boots that I thought would be good.Some could argue that with ... MoreI only got about 50 wears out of these. After paying $230....So I bought these for a new job in October. I work in land surveying In New England. So I work in terrain very similar to the Appalacian Trail.I wore them till December (3 months total) and then started wearing them again in March. After 4 month total of wear time they were wrecked. so I only got about 50 wears out of them. At first I loved them. After about a month I started to see the low quality. My sole had to be expoxyd. I have tears in my gortex that water started coming in. The upper started to tear.I kept maintaining repairs so that I could keep working and wouldn't have to but new shoes. It took me awhile to save for these boots that I thought would be good.Some could argue that with surveying my job is rougher on books and I assure that I put the same wear as any hiker with about 5-10 miles a day tracked.Probably a good idea to get wax laces for these because the laces come undone by stretching out and falling off the hooks.When I first bought these boots for the first month I thought they were great until they started to fall apart. They were comfy and I loved them. But then it just became a lot of falling apart rapidly.The tread is the only upside and my tread I did have to re-epoxy onto the shoe. I really like the tread pattern.
I’ve worn the Moab hiking for years in Southern Appalachia. However, after moving to New England, I needed a shoe with more grip on exposed rock. After trying a few competitors, I came back to Merrell, this time with the Rogue. The Rogue has been every bit of the shoe I hoped for: comfortable, durable, and grippy (even on a wet surface). I’ve thrown away all my other hiking shoes and grab the Rogue whenever I’m going to a trail.I also have the Thermo Rogue and love it just as much for winter adventures (although I usually wear them with spikes).
I bought these in order to get more cushioning and ankle support while hiking steep, rocky, rooted up trails in the Cascades. The orange color was also an attraction, as well. Although I was at first a bit concerned that the wide heel on these would hang up in tight trails, that concern turned out to be unfounded, and the wider, running-shoe-like heel actually provides additional support and balance on sketchy terrain.They were presumably designed as a heavier weight boot for backpacking - so far I haven't tried them with that, but they work fine with my 20-lb. day pack. At 70 years old, I'm not as spry as I was at 30, and any footwear feature I can get to help protect my knees and add traction and stability is welcomed - and these Rogue Hikers do very well.
Bought these for a 1000 walk up Ireland’s west coast - Kerry Way, Dingle Way, Burren Way, and roads. Mixed conditions - rough trails, rocky hill/mountain climbs, paved and dirt roads, and more. Wet mostly, mud, bogs, and rain. Boots held up pretty well. No real break in needed, just 50 km or so to get used to them. Water resistance wore down at about 750 km+ but not unexpected. Very comfortable, good cushioning for road walks. High ankle support was very welcome on rough ground. They felt more like high-top walking shoes than boots - very light, flexible but stable at the same time. In hot weather they likely would have been too warm but in Ireland they worked well. Note - wore them with my custom orthotics so not the standard insoles they come with.Overall, good ... MoreBought these for a 1000 walk up Ireland’s west coast - Kerry Way, Dingle Way, Burren Way, and roads. Mixed conditions - rough trails, rocky hill/mountain climbs, paved and dirt roads, and more. Wet mostly, mud, bogs, and rain. Boots held up pretty well. No real break in needed, just 50 km or so to get used to them. Water resistance wore down at about 750 km+ but not unexpected. Very comfortable, good cushioning for road walks. High ankle support was very welcome on rough ground. They felt more like high-top walking shoes than boots - very light, flexible but stable at the same time. In hot weather they likely would have been too warm but in Ireland they worked well. Note - wore them with my custom orthotics so not the standard insoles they come with.Overall, good shoes. Not for everyone or every set of conditions.
I am a true believer in Merrell! My wife and I have 7 pairs and now our kids and grandkids are wearing them. I bought these in March for an upcoming trip to Alaska, I wanted a new pair of Gortex boots to break in, After hiking a few miles on numerous hikes my feet hurt so bad I usually turn back. I am not a small guy, 6'-4" 250 pounds. They don't support my weight like my Moab's (shoe or boot) do. The ankle support is missing in these boots, they want to roll easily and seem narrow in the instep to the toe area. You can feel every root and rock underfoot and it doesn't feel good. I will probably purchase a new pair of Moab's
I bought these boots about two months ago. Maybe put ~80 miles in them total. I work in Glacier National Park and my profession is Trail Maintenance. I spend hundreds of hours in the backcountry every summer. I know a good pair of boots when I see them, or at least I thought.These boots are extremely comfortable and required no breaking in right out of the box. The first time I ever wore them was when I climbed Heaven's Peak, which is a ~6000 foot vertical, 9-mile round trip with Class Three Scrambling. The outside of the boots held up in the sharp scree and limestone scrambling. The final two miles is up a 60-70% grade slab rock and it's kind of terrifying walking up, but these boots have an amazing tread design and the Vibram soles held up great.From that hike ... MoreI bought these boots about two months ago. Maybe put ~80 miles in them total. I work in Glacier National Park and my profession is Trail Maintenance. I spend hundreds of hours in the backcountry every summer. I know a good pair of boots when I see them, or at least I thought.These boots are extremely comfortable and required no breaking in right out of the box. The first time I ever wore them was when I climbed Heaven's Peak, which is a ~6000 foot vertical, 9-mile round trip with Class Three Scrambling. The outside of the boots held up in the sharp scree and limestone scrambling. The final two miles is up a 60-70% grade slab rock and it's kind of terrifying walking up, but these boots have an amazing tread design and the Vibram soles held up great.From that hike onwards I've solely used them on one Search and Rescue (off trail) which is a total of 15 miles, and to and from camp and the trailhead. I would never work in these because there is really no durable external coverage.One of the eyelets popped out because the metal pegs that hold them in place sheered off. I don't lance up my shoes tight because I have size 14 and a EEE width. Need some breathing room. It is pretty terrible that their return policy considers this a non-defective item simply because they were worn in the field.I highly recommend you find another shoe because while they feel and hike comfortable, they just can't hold up for more than a 100 miles.
I received the shoes quickly, and the communication was good. I wanted to like the shoes however, I believe I received a defective pair. The right shoe has a seam where one material meets the other, at this area there is a ripple that will not flatten out, this puts pressure on a small area on the top right side of my foot. This creates pain within a few minutes, I have tried inserting an object to form the area of the shoe, however this ripple will not smooth out. If this is a rare defect then I would enjoy the shoes, as the left shoe is comfortable. I can not comment on longevity or handling of terrain as I am unable to wear for maore than a few minutes.
Only worn a few times but have walked through some deep puddles and stayed dry. I haven't had a lot of luck with manufacturers claims of waterproof footwear. At best I find they might be as much as rain resistant. So far these have remained waterproof, but too early to say that they will remain that way. I was also concerned about ankle covering boots. I find some boots will rub my ankles to the point they bleed. I haven't had that issue with these boots. They are surprisingly light for the size and are comfortable. I'm sure they will be really hot to wear in the summer, but haven't had hot weather yet to test my theory.
These high top hiking boots from Merrell performed perfectly this past summer on several backpacking trips in the NH White Mountains, including a 22+ mile multi-day excursion involving very rocky terrain. They kept my feet dry on some serious water crossings. More importantly, the good ankle support helped to prevent what could have been a pretty serious ankle sprain when I rolled my ankle after stumbling on a rock. I was able to finish the trip (with help of a good supply of ibuprofen). Merrell boots fit my foot very well and I appreciate the consistency in sizing which makes mail order less complicated.
The lower metal lacing hook of the boots digs into my ankle, specifically the Medial Malleolus (bottom of the tibia) bone. This alone makes the boots unbearable.I wore the boots once, to the supermarket for about 30 minutes. I understand the process of breaking in boots, however I've never experienced severe metatarsal pain from new boots after such a short period of wearing them.I have already worn them once, so I assume a refund is too late. With that, I will attempt to try different lacing techniques, and possibly buying new insoles. However, I am extremely dissatisfied by the high cost of these boot, and the fact that they are potentially unwearable.I was happy with my previous Merrells; MQM and Strongfields, but they got it all wrong with these.
