Are Merrell shoes waterproof? Merrell has a wide selection of waterproof shoes and boots. However, they also have plenty of shoes that are not waterproof.
If you want to know whether all Merrell shoes are waterproof, the answer is no.
Merrell does have more than 200 different type of waterproof shoes. So if you are looking for a solid waterproof shoe or boot, Merrell is definitely not a bad brand to look at.
To get a very clear overview of all the waterproof Merrell shoes, you should take a look at this page: summary of Merrell’s waterproof shoes.
Are Merrell shoes waterproof?
So, you already know most of what there is to know. However, there are a couple of important things to mention.
The general rule is that the GORE-TEX version of a certain shoe is the waterproof version. This means that GORE-TEX is used in the shoe (and GORE-TEX is waterproof).
For example, let’s take a look at one of the most popular Merrell shoes, the Merrel Moab 2. We quickly see that this shoe is not waterproof. However, once we do some more research, we find a similar shoe, the Merrell Moab 2 GTX. The Merrell Moab 2 GTX is basically the waterproof variant of the regular Merrell Moab 2.
This is true for many Merrell shoes and even in general this is something to remember when researching footwear. Did you find a shoe that you really like? But it’s not waterproof? Try to look for a GTX/GORE-TEX version of the shoe.
However, there are also some shoes that are waterproof without being GORE-TEX. The easiest way to find out whether a Merrell shoe is waterproof is to consult the official website. Generally, Merrell labels their waterproof shoes with “GORE-TEX”, “Waterproof” or “Hydro”. Note that there are some exceptions.
Waterproof means that some other waterproof fabric was used, usually this means waterproof leather. This is even more waterproof, but also warmer and heavier.
Hydro is more a water shoe than an actual waterproof shoe. These are more comparable to a sandal than a shoe.
I know some people also ask about “Are Merrell hiking shoes waterproof?”, the answer would be exactly the same: Merrell has a wide selection of waterproof hiking shoes and boots. However, they also have plenty of hiking shoes that are not waterproof.
Is Gore-Tex actually waterproof?
Keep in mind that GORE-TEX is considered waterproof, but there is always a limit to how waterproof a fabric actually is. Meaning that if it rains enough, water might eventually start to seep through. If you want to know more about this, you should learn about the hydrostatic head rating and what this actually means.
If you are not interested in the specifics behind it, I will simplify it for you. GORE-TEX shoes are considered waterproof because they can resist a very large amount of water. It can eventually start to let water through, but only after a long time of heavy rainfall (we are talking extremes here). To give you an idea, a fabric is considered waterproof once it reaches a waterproof rating of 1,000 hydrostatic head. Gore-Tex has a minimum rating of 20,000, so there is probably nothing to worry about, but I thought I should mention it nevertheless.
The same applies for jackets and even tents, just so you know!
Waterproof shoes can malfunction
There is a little bit more to the story than simply looking at what fabric was used. For example, a manufacturer might claim that a shoe is waterproof because GORE-TEX was used, but once we try them out in wet conditions, it turns out the shoe isn’t that waterproof at all.
There could be a few reasons:
- Water might run along your legs into the shoe
- Your feet might sweat, which gives you the illusion water got in your shoes
- The shoe has reached the promised water-resistance (for example, when a GORE-TEX shoe is submerged for longer periods)
- The shoe has a malfunction
A malfunction is often a problem with the seams, which can allow water to get through. Or a sloppy finish at the tongue of the shoe. There can be many other reasons.
The important thing to remember, it’s not because waterproof materials are used, and the manufacturer claims a shoe is waterproof, that a shoe actually is waterproof.
Now, Merrell is a high quality shoe manufacturer and usually, their shoes do not have any waterproofing issues. Especially the more popular shoes are a pretty safe bet.
What Merrell shoes are waterproof?
It would take way too long to list all waterproof Merrell shoes. As I stated at the beginning of this post, Merrell has more than 200 waterproof shoes.
However, I will list the most popular Merrell shoes that are waterproof.
- Merrell Moab GORE-TEX
- Merrel Nova GORE-TEX
- Merrel Antora GORE-TEX
- Merrel Encore 4 Zip Polar Waterproof
- Merrel Chameleon Waterproof
- Merrel Hydro Moc (A water shoe)
- Merrel Siren Edge Waterproof
- Merrel Jungle Zip Polar Waterproof
- Merrel MQM Flex GORE-TEX
- Merrel Thermo Waterproof
Where to buy waterproof Merrell
You can find a nice overview of waterproof Merrell shoes on their official website.
However, I prefer to buy my shoes from Amazon, very often I will find a good deal on there. This results in me usually finding the best price on amazon.
You can find an overview of the best waterproof Merrell shoes here: Best waterproof Merrell shoes.
Or if you want to take a look at the GORE-TEX Merrell shoes: Best gtx Merrel shoes.
As always, being on the lookout for promotions will help in terms of getting good value for money.
The Merrell Moab’s even made it on the list of the best cheap hiking shoes.
What is the best waterproof Merrel shoe?
As always, it really depends on your personal preferences. However, Merrell is mainly known for making very good hiking shoes.
We talk a lot about hiking footwear on Hikeheaven, so we do have a good understanding of what makes a good hiking shoe.
If I had to make one single suggestions, it would be the Merrell Moab 2 GTX:
This shoe is a great all round hiking shoe that you can’t go wrong with.
It’s available for both man and women:
If you prefer a higher hiking shoe, the Merrel Moab also has a mid top version.
How does Merrell waterproofing compare to other brands?
So, as I have explained earlier in this article, waterproof doesn’t mean that the fabric will hold water out forever. However, all GORE-TEX shoes are somewhat similar in terms of how waterproof the fabric is. Meaning that this would not vary that much between brands.
However, there are other factors to consider that can have a huge impact. It doesn’t matter that the fabrics are good, if the finishing isn’t. Mainly, accurate and seam sealing is important when it comes to waterproofing a shoe. However, durability also comes in to play. Once a fabric tears… well it obviously doesn’t matter how waterproof the fabric is, if it has tears in it.
So how does Merrell hold up against other brands? It’s probably not a huge surprise that Merrell performed really well. As I already stated earlier in this article, Merrell is a trustworthy and solid hiking shoe manufacturer. They do not make many mistakes in when it comes to seam sealing, they do not end up with a sloppy finish and they make durable products. However, there isn’t a single brand in the world that never makes a mistake, so researching the specific shoe that you want to buy is always a recommendation.
Another thing to consider is that if you wear low cut shoes, water will usually find its way in your shoe down your legs. Therefore, if you really care about keeping your feet dry, consider mid cut shoes, or waterproof gaiters.
Conclusion
The article started with a simple question, “Are Merrell shoes waterproof?”. The answer was simple and straightforward. Merrel has many waterproof shoes, but not all of their shoes are waterproof.
Merrell usually labels their waterproof shoes with the label “GORE-TEX”, “Waterproof” or “Hydro”. However, keep in mind that there are some exceptions.
Happy hiking and keep your feet dry!