User Review: Merrell Men's Phaser Peak Waterproof

This boot was a last ditch resort as the only one I could find in Estes Park, CO, that fit. I was teaching Outdoor Ed. at YMCA of the Rockies at the time and immediately hit the trail hiking five miles a day in them from the get go. That was three years ago, and these things are still my main hiking boot.

They took about two weeks to break in, which I learned the hard way. The waterproof label is good for about two months of constant use, a good silicon spray does the trick nicely. As for wear and tear, I've hiked all over and back and also wear them as an everyday shoe, these boots have never let me down.

The construction is solid and the treads have little signs of wear, as I have a wider foot some of the stitching on the outer side of the toe box is showing some signs of fraying, besides that these things are perfect for the weekend hiker, or for one who just needs a solid boot for a little of everything.

P.S.- if waterproofing do not use a petroleum based formula, it may dissolve the synthetic parts of the boot, aka primarily the threads holding it all together.