Do you understand why people wear shoes? Essentially, footwear is designed to promote comfort for wearers. It also protects human feet from harsh circumstances. Similarly, hiking shoes' primary functions are to protect your feet from bruising and abrasion caused by rugged wilderness terrain. They cushion your soles and give adequate traction on rocky, steep, slippery, rainy, and muddy terrain.

Hiking shoes must also be stable and long-lasting. A trustworthy hiking shoe is a long-lasting shoe that won’t leave you in the middle of the route. Shoes for long-distance hiking should be supportive and, ideally, lightweight. They must also be flexible and comfy when walking. Shoes over rough surfaces, on the other hand, may need to be stiffer and more supportive.

Hiking footwear must also be functional and adaptable to varied situations and surfaces kinds. This is usually determined by the boot's structure.

Here is one such company called Merrell founded by Clark Matis and John Schweitzer. They quit their management positions at Rossignol Ski Company in 1981 to design a new, more inexpensive, high-performance hiking boot.

They two teamed up with Randy J Merrell, a custom boot maker, and set about designing and constructing a terrific new boot.

Backpacker Magazine named the original Merrell boot "the most comfortable and functional boots in North America" when it debuted in 1983. Women's shoes were introduced in 1983 so that women's feet, which differ greatly from men's in bone structure and stride, may benefit from Merrell's comfortable, performance boots. As a result, he began a fast ascent into the hiking footwear industry.

Randy J Merrell relinquished his stake in the company that bears his name in 1986 to pursue his prior job as a custom bootmaker; the same year, he sold its 25,000th pair of boots. This footwear was purchased by finish sports manufacturer Karhu shortly after his departure.

They continue to expand their product lines and sales with the addition of garments to the catalog in 2006, as well as innovative technologies such as M-Select Dry Waterproof, M-Select Wind, and M-Select Warm Insulation. They continue to make high-quality footwear and apparel, ranging from snow boots and trainers to waterproof coats and backpacks.

Here is the list of best Hiking shoes, gear, and boots by Merrell Australia all you need to know when you are out in the wild for adventure.

Merrell MOAB Flight: Best Overall

The Moab Flight is a shoe equivalent to the Toyota RAV4. It looks well, can tackle moderate dirt tracks, and is comfortable enough to use in a variety of settings. While it is not the quickest or most aggressive off-road shoe, it has enough qualities to merit consideration if you are seeking an excellent all-around trail shoe.

Pros

1. True to size
2. No break-in period
3. Comfortable ride
4. Light
5. Excellent ventilation
6. Reasonably-priced

Cons

1. Average performance
2. Not so durable
3. Poor grip

Merrell Nova 2: Best Merrell trail running shoes

The Nova 2 is a classic trail running shoe with less flare than many newer options, but enough versatility and grip to establish itself as one of the finest trail running shoes for beginners.

Pros

1. Fits true to size
2. In favorable conditions, the grip is excellent
3. A sufficient amount of padding
4. Excellent-Lockdown on sides of the foot
5. Sturdy upper
6. Dependable Vibram outsole
7. Good laces

Cons

1. For some, the amount of ground feel is excessive
2. Heavier than average
3. In rainy situations, traction is erratic

Merrell Agility Peak 4: Best Merrell cushioned running shoes

If you're a runner who isn't sure what's coming on the trails, the Merrell Agility Peak 4 comes in handy. One disadvantage of this trail shoe is that it is slow. So, for the more agile fell runners, you might want to look elsewhere. If you want the same adaptability but a gentler ride, then Rubato is a good option.

Pros

1. Ample protection
2. Delivers ground feel
3. Multisurface traction
4. Glove-like fit
5. Comfortable upper
6. Lightweight
7. Excellent lockdown

Cons

1. Not responsive
2. Lace bite
3. Heel slippage
4. Lacks ventilation
5. Difficult entry

Merrell Antora 2: Best value Merrell trail running shoes

The Antora 2, the women's equivalent of the Nova 2, provides sneaker-light comfort and confidence-boosting performance on both light and tough trails. It includes a tough gripping outsole for uphill and downhill runs, as well as underfoot cushioning that is specifically designed for female runners. This trail running shoe will not disappoint on long-distance and slow-paced runs because of its protective and solid foundation. With these trail running shoes, one can even climb 875-meter-high Mount Gower on Lord Howe Island. This is considered one of the best day hikes in Australia for trail runners.

Pros

1. Straight-out-the-box comfort
2. Grippy
3. Protective
4. Stable
5. Versatile use
6. Spacious toe box
7. Light

Cons

1. Stiff
2. Not for narrow feet

Merrell Trail Glove 6: Most popular Merrell trail running shoes

The Trail Glove is a well-known Merrell minimalist shoe series that provides runners with a barefoot experience. The minimal cushioning lets you feel the trail while encouraging natural foot movement. However, one should keep in mind that it is best suited for short hikes. Aside from improving the collection's performance, they also take a more sustainable approach by integrating recycled and environmentally friendly materials in the Trail Glove 6.

Pros

1. Natural ride
2. Lightweight
3. Snug fit
4. Durable
5. Grippy
6. Straight-out-the-box comfort
7. Stable
8. Versatile
9. Sustainable

Cons

1. Less ground feel

Merrell Vapor Glove 5:Best Merrell road running shoes

The Vapor Glove has become a mainstay in its category if you enjoy being barefoot but want to be protected. It is a barely-there shoe that allows you to move more naturally during a variety of sports. If you don't want to feel every stone underfoot, look into the Trail Glove series. On rocky trails, it provides extra protection.

Pros

1. Natural sensation
2. Sock-like fit
3. Versatile use
4. Lightweight
5. Roomy toe box
6. Durable
7. Easy on and off

Cons

1. Not breathable
2. Less barefoot than predecessors

Conclusion

Merrell Australia is one of the leading shoe-making companies. They make one of the best quality hiking shoes and gear. Above we have provided some of the top-quality hiking shoes and trail running shoes from this brand. While selecting hiking or trail running shoes one should keep in mind the requirements and purpose that it fills. One should also check according to their level of comfort.