Gear Review - Merrell Mattertal Boots

If you are looking for a multi-purpose boot that is going to give you performance on any surface you’re likely to walk on in all kinds of weather then the Merrell Mattertal Boots are certainly up to the task. These have a military boot style appearance which is accentuated with the all black colouring and are made with durable materials and packed with technical features and a keen eye for design. 

The upper is full grain leather which instantly gives your feet protection against wet conditions and debris, plus the Bellows tongue doubly ensures no unwanted bits of grit and dirt gets inside.  It has a combination of an Aegis treated mesh lining and GORE-TEX Performance Comfort Footwear lining which never fails to keep your feet dry, cool and feeling fresh even after hours of hiking plus it remains secure thanks to metal hook and lacing eyelets. 

As any seasoned hiker knows you can end up with any number of hard footfalls, missteps, trips and bashed feet from loose or jagged rocks, stones and more if you aren’t careful but the protective rubber rand and toe cap, moulded TPU heel counter on the outside of the boots and EVA removable footbed gives you a great deal of protection and support with extra comfort so you feel reassured and barely feel any rough terrain. 

The midsole is polyurethane and features a grade 6 nylon insole giving you extra support and can stand up to the weight of a mid-range sized backpack without overly compressing the boot and the Vibram Outbound Sole made from CT rubber is very grippy and gives a lot of traction wherever you walk whether it’s rocks, wet ground or a loose stone trail.

Overall this is a great walking and hiking boot and even when worn for a few hours when you’re exhausted they will still feel comfortable on your feet thanks to the support and snug fit.  While the style might not be for everyone’s tastes it has all of the features you could want in an all-season boot though the price tag is just shy of £150 so the performance, support and comfort does come at a cost but it is certainly worth it in the long run as other than the possibility of having to re-proof the waterproofing every now and again you can tell they will last through many a trail.   

Review date - 12th November 2013 - Reviewed by PC