Are Merrell and Berghaus worth the money for hiking boots?

[SatsumaFan]

Looking for some waterproof and comfy walking/hiking boots. The above brands are around £100 a pair, whereas Karrimor or Gelert are around £30.

I've never had proper walking boots before and am planning on keeping up my 5-mile ish walks a few times a week during lockdown. Wore old trainers today and my socks were wringing wet when I got home and my feet wrinkly!

Thanks

I’m on my 2nd pair of Anatom from Cotswold Outdoor. The first pair I tried on in the shop so when I needed to replace them this month I ordered the same ones as I knew they are a good fit.
I have some Salomons but not keen on the ankle support. The rest of the boot is great, but I bought without trying on.

I have brasher fabric boots from a decade ago which are excellent - I often wear a 5, but am up to a 6 with thick socks in these.

I also have some Meryll (sp?) walking shoes which I have had for only two years but am starting to wear through the lining at the heel. I have walked 4000km since I bought them though, and probably done 75% of that in those shoes, so I guess you have to sort of view them as consumables at that point.

Both pairs work well for my wide feet. The man in Millets was amazing when I went in: he just looked at my socked feet and then went and pulled a pair of shoes out and they fitted. I would definitely be looking for free returns given you can't try them on!

This was sports direct we’re talking about.....they were sent off for “testing” and it was declared they were waterproof. So no refund and I was basically accused of been a liar.

I gladly buy stuff from SD - really made the most of the NHS half-price day they had after the first lockdown; but they really are the very commercial embodiment of the old phrase 'if you sup with the devil, be sure to use a long spoon'!

I got these from decathlon. They're called snow hiking boots but I've been on long, muddy walks in them and they're light, warm, cosy and waterproof. Oh and comfortable. I love them and they're only £25.. !
I've found them true to size.
www.decathlon.co.uk/p/women-s-warm-waterproof-snow-hiking-shoes-sh100-warm-mid/_/R-p-135965

On my second pair of Merrells. Only gave up in first pair cos I think my feet got bigger and I'd had them for at least 14 years. New pair soooo comfortable and supports feet very well.. well worth it imo

Don’t get karrimor, they are not waterproof

I’m another fan of merrells. They are so comfy from the second you put them on. Mine are waterproof goretex ones. My feet are slightly on the wide side. I did a lot of research before I bought them and ordered 4 pairs of different makes from gb outdoors, but the merrells were by far the best. Free delivery and returns which is important for boots as heavy!

I've worn my old Meindl's for years and they've been excellent, pricey but they've more than paid for themselves. I'm just about ready to replace and I think I'll try Lowa. fantastic boots and great for wider fitting.

look for goretex and vibram sole. PP is right though more expensive doesn't always mean they'll last longer.

I wouldn't buy Karrimor, DH has a few times and they don't last.

Looks like Merrell is the winner then! I've just been on their website and although it's saying you can return within 30 days for full refund I can't see that it's free? And you can use a UPS collection stop thing but my local one is in a launderette which I think may be closed now due to lockdown?

I like these:

www.merrell.com/UK/en_GB/accentor-sport-2-mid-gore-tex/194713170478.html

Tempted to be patient and wait for places like Go Outdoors and Cotswold Outdoors to reopen in Dec (fingers crossed) so I can actually go and try them on.

I've actually just found an old pair of cheap ones (which are randomly a size 4!) which I picked up at a Mountain Warehouse Outlet about a decade ago (so pre dc). They were buried in the cupboard under the stairs! But seem to fit, with room. So I think I'll take your advice and invest in some decent gel insoles and thick hiking socks and use these for now. Don't think they're waterproof but like someone else said; there's only one way to find out! I'm usually only gone for a couple of hours so not a problem.

Perhaps Santa can buy me my £100 Merrell ones

If you have wide feet, avoid Karrimor. I got some recently (hadn't realised they are Sports Direct now and crap). They are much narrower than my last pair (from Go Outdoors but I forget the brand - not the most expensive though and they were good).

At 5.5 it is worth seeing how large the kids sizes go up to as some do go beyond that (though the width may be an issue) and they are then cheaper.

If I'm buying ladies boots, I go one size larger, to accommodate wide feet and thick socks.

Otherwise, I buy men's in the same size as I find there's extra room around toes.

I do have extra wide feet, which often makes buying any boots or shoes tricky.

Merrells are pretty good for wide feet so definitely woth trying when you get chance. I. Don't get on with them but dh has had a few pairs.

You can get waterproof socks..

www.sealskinz.com/collections/socks?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI34qOh-fz7AIVie7tCh07Lgg0EAAYASAAEgKMx_D_BwE

Sealskins are expensive, im sure cheaper alternatives are available

I have these and they are brilliant. Been up a few very boggy Munro's (Including a shallow river crossing) and my feet stayed dry. Fit perfectly (I sized up half a size to account for socks abs extra room for descending). https://www.merrell.com/UK/enGB/alverstone-sport-mid-gore-tex/47583W.html?dwvarr_47583W_color=J500024

Ive had 2 pairs of Merrell leather snow boots, they have been excellent. Really warm, comfortable and hard wearing. I would recommended them.
I’ve bought karrimore walking boots and they were really heavy to wear over long distances. I gave them away. I found their trainers poorly made.
I’ve also had Lowa walking boots, light and comfy but expensive.