User Review: Merrell Switchback Gore-Tex

Merrell Switchback Gore-Tex
Above: The current Switchback Gore-Tex, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed December 31, 2007 by Mike G

Rating:
Price Paid: $150

Saw in a magazine at a hiking store and had them ordered the next day. I typically wear around an 11.5 and these hit the mark, with a near perfect fit at size 11.5.

First things I noticed were that these boots were a few inches taller then my previous pair and started to rub a little which lasted throughout the first week (Break in)on my leg, but quickly subsided. After that it was on to the torture test which was running a 3000 ft water line under ground in absolutely miserable conditions, wet/muddy as hell/cold for 4 days straight. My feet were kept warm and extremely comfortable without a single incident.

Several hiking trips later and one backpacking expedition confirmed my original conclusions that these boots are definitely keepers. They have these wonderful toe buffers making down hills climbs a breeze. I've had these for about a month now still without issue, so as usual time will indeed probably tell, but for now I'm extremely pleased.