BackpackGearTest.org - Merrell Passage Ventilator Mid Thomas Vickers

Tester Background:
I grew up in the piney woods of southeast Texas. Camping was a quick trip into the mosquito-infested woods behind the house. My style has evolved and over the last 4 or 5 years, I have begun to take a lighter weight approach to hiking gear (I still use sleeping bags and tents, just lighter versions). While I have flirted with lightweight hiking, I feel that I am more of a mid-weight hiker now. My philosophy is one of comfort, while carrying the lightest load possible.

Expectations:
After visiting the Merrell website, I had a good idea of what these boots looked like. I even had a very clear idea that these were day/light hikers as opposed to boots designed for more serious trail usage. What I did not find to be available was a suggested price for these boots. I also didn't find out too much technical data about the materials used in these boots. The site lists what they are made of, but doesn't provide much information about the breathability of these materials or if they need special care.

Technical Details from the Manufacturer:
– Slip Lasted Construction
– Nubuck Leather/Breathable Ventilator Mesh Upper
– Breathable Ventilator Mesh Lining
– Breathable Ventilator Mesh Bellows Tongue
– Injection Molded TPU Counter/In-Step Stability
– 4.5mm Anatomical Footbed
– Nylon 6.6 Injection Molded Arch Shank
– In-Board™ Compression Molded EVA Footframe
– Integrated External TPU Support

Manufacturer's Description:
Think of this as a right of passage: a day hiker that’s higher-cut for support but still slim and fleet-feeling. Concealed In-Board™ EVA footframe cuts the bulk; overt nubuck leather strapping reinforces a breezy mesh upper that’s stabilized by a flying bridge molded TPU side and ankle supports. Vibram® Day Hiker Plus™ sole adds larger and deeper braking and traction lugs at heel and forefoot for more demanding conditions.

Tester's Description:
The Merrell Passage Ventilators are hiking boots. Mine are a nice Grey/Black color. I wish I could leave it at that, but there is more to these boots. They are made from a Nubuck leather/Ventilator Mesh combination that makes them appear more like athletic shoes than hiking boots. I really wish the hang tags or website had more information on what the Ventilator Mesh was, but I will live with what little I know about it. The lacing system is pretty standard, with the top two lace holders on each side of the boot being designed as "speed lacing" loops. One thing I did notice was that these "speed laces" are made of plastic, instead of metal. This is quite different from other hiking boots that I have seen. The laces themselves seem a bit undersized for these boots. They are not too short, but the diameter of the laces seems like they would work better on athletic shoes rather than boots. I will be interested to see how well they work and how durable they are over the course of this test.

The toe guards seem very durable and large. I am hoping that this translates into a durable toe-box on these boots since this is normally an area of high wear for me. As a heal dragger, I am also happy to see that the soles come up to a nice level on the rear of the boots.

I would almost describe the heel area of the Passage Ventilators as clunky, but I don't want to give it a negative meaning. The first place that any pair of boots wear out for me is in this area and I am really hoping that "Big Heel/Sole" means durability and sturdiness.

As to the soles, boy are they sturdy looking. For a pair of "Light Hikers", the Merrell Passage Ventilator Mids have some serious Vibram soles. Once again I hate to say "clunky", but they are large and hopefully durable.

Inside the boots are the insoles that Merrell supplies with the Passage Ventilators. I haven't tried them on yet, so I can't comment on their feel or effectiveness yet, but that is a serious part of my testing plan. I usually have to use after market insoles, so this will an issue that I explore in depth in future reports.

Overall, these boots look good. They are well constructed with no obvious manufacturing flaws and in my initial inspection, they seem very sturdy, especially for light hiking boots.

TEST PLAN
My main activity over the next several months will me through hiking the Lonestar trail . This will take place
over several weekends in May, and also a week during June. This means that I will be hiking and backpacking over at least 80 miles (129 km) of trails during the testing period.

Location:
Southeast Texas
Sam Houston National Forest, along the LoneStar Trail
Jones State Forest
Other locations as well.

Conditions:
The altitude will always hover around sea level.
Temperatures from 70 - 95 F (21 - 35 C).
Humidity - This will range from nearly 20% to at least 100% in Southeast Texas.
Rain - Summer in Texas can be wet but if the current pattern holds, it will be dry.
Wind - Dead calm to breezy.
The terrain will be flat, dry and well worn trails. If it rains, then it may be a bit muddy.

Activities:
·Through Hike of Lonestar Trail (in sections)
·Dayhikes
·Jogging/trail running
·Geocaching

Test Strategy:
Fit:
1. How long does it take to break these boots in?

2. Can I put my own insoles into these boots? (will they fit?)

3. How comfortable are these boots with and without my own insoles?

4. How do these boots feel with normal socks? Can I tighten/adjust them to a comfortable level with just normal socks? (I use hiking boots that are one size larger so I can use heavy hiking socks, but sometimes it is too warm to wear them)

5.. How do these boots fit with my normal hiking sock setup? (Heavy liner and heavy hiking sock)

6. Do the laces allow for a wide range of adjustment to the fit?

7. Do these boots feel like boots or more like shoes?

8. Is the fit roomy or tight? Does the size match what I need for hiking boots or are there sizing differences/irregularities for this brand?

Usage:
1. How water/element resistant is the boot?

2. Do they keep my feet dry in wet conditions?

3. Do the laces stay laced?

4. Do these boots breathe well? Will my feet overheat in the summer heat? Will my feet get sweaty?

5. How quickly can I get into/out of these boots? Do they utilize a speed lace system?

6. Is this an easy task to get in/out of these boots on the trail or a task that requires great flexibility?

7. Do these boots provide adequate support for my ankles?

8. Are there any strange friction points on these boots that might cause blisters for my feet?

Durability:
1. After prolonged trail wear (3+ days) do these boots start to smell?

2. Will they have a permanently poor odor after 4 months of testing?

3. Does the Vibram sole handle mud? Will it grab the mud or will I slip?

4. How easy is it for debris to get into the boot when it is tightly laced?

5. How durable is sole? I tend to drag my heels and this causes most soles to wear quickly.

6. How durable is the toe area? This is another high wear area on my shoes/boots.

Reviews > Footwear > Boots > Merrell Passage Ventilator Mid > Thomas Vickers > Initial Report

Reviews > Footwear > Boots > Merrell Passage Ventilator Mid > Thomas Vickers > Initial Report