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Posted: 7/9/2017 3:24:07 AM EDT
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So I've been looking for some new work boots as an EMT, and while I love my Danner Acadias, I miss having a side zip and something much lighter. As I was googling, I stumbled across these. I loved my original Moabs and wore them until they fell apart. Anyone here tried them yet?
Merrell Tactical Attached File |
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Hmmm, that's disconcerting. I hope it's not true. I was already planning on buying a pair of the new regular Moab 2s to replace my old ones. |
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Check out Salomons, I've never been disappointed with thier any of thier products. I've had some issues with Merrills. And I know they make all theirs in plain black. You're paying for quality with Salomons, and you see exactly where your money went when you put em on. I've been stunned at how durable my 4D's have been |
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Salomons are too narrow for my feet. I was looking at the Lowa Renegade, but again I miss having the option of having a zipper like I did on the Bates I used to wear before I learned about Danners.
I started looking at the Danner Strikers and the 5.11 ATACS, but didn't like how either felt. Then I thought about Danners new Lookout boot, but the reviews aren't good. I have a pair of Belleville 700s and like em, so I tried out their Tactical Research line....nope. Right now the top contender is the Under Armor Valsatz. Any other suggestions? |
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Salomons are too narrow for my feet. I was looking at the Lowa Renegade, but again I miss having the option of having a zipper like I did on the Bates I used to wear before I learned about Danners. I started looking at the Danner Strikers and the 5.11 ATACS, but didn't like how either felt. Then I thought about Danners new Lookout boot, but the reviews aren't good. I have a pair of Belleville 700s and like em, so I tried out their Tactical Research line....nope. Right now the top contender is the Under Armor Valsatz. Any other suggestions? |
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I went through 3 pairs of moabs quickly just in casual wear. Toes kept separating. Also had another pair of more expensive Merrells come apart. Keen is no different after going through two pairs. They just fail in different ways. |
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Wow, I guess YMMV because I had one pair that lasted me from 2012 to up until a couple years ago. Wore em hiking, fishing, yard work and just tons of casual wear. Ultimately the heel tore out so much the heel cup was cutting into my Achilles tendon, but the tread and stiching were still G2G. If you want a wide toe box, skip Asolo, and check out Keen. |
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I went through 3 pairs of moabs quickly just in casual wear. Toes kept separating. Also had another pair of more expensive Merrells come apart. Keen is no different after going through two pairs. They just fail in different ways. |
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x2 And I know they make all theirs in plain black. You're paying for quality with Salomons, and you see exactly where your money went when you put em on. I've been stunned at how durable my 4D's have been |
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i have a pair of Chameleons I got in 2011 that are STILL good to go. Everything I bought since then has been noticing very cheaply made. If you want a wide toe box, skip Asolo, and check out Keen. |
| Shame to hear that Merrell's quality has taken a shit. I have a pair of old Sawtooths that I've been rocking for 4 years and I love them, still going strong. I also have a pair of Salomon Quest 2 4D GTXs that I love to death. Honestly I would say that all of my serious footwear would be from Salomon if I could stomach the prices. |
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New tactical boots from Lowe:
http://soldiersystems.net/2017/07/10/millbrook-tactical-offers-preview-of-new-lowe-task-force-models/ |
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As others have said, quality is lacking.
Salomon just came out with some nice wolf gray boots but they don't have a side zip. Not sure if they are offered on Experticity / Promotive yet. I had some Bates boots back in the day with a size zip. They were very nice. Nike SFB would be my pick if you don't need Goretex or a zipper. 
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Salomons are too narrow for my feet. I was looking at the Lowa Renegade, but again I miss having the option of having a zipper like I did on the Bates I used to wear before I learned about Danners. I started looking at the Danner Strikers and the 5.11 ATACS, but didn't like how either felt. Then I thought about Danners new Lookout boot, but the reviews aren't good. I have a pair of Belleville 700s and like em, so I tried out their Tactical Research line....nope. Right now the top contender is the Under Armor Valsatz. Any other suggestions? They are not the most high speed looking but you will find the solid European design integration on the inside. |
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Valsetz isn't that impressive to me.. |
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Ill reiterate here a little, Valsetz are fucking garbage. Thankfully they come with a lifetime replacement warranty, because every 3-4 months youll need it. Soles are very soft, and break down long before the upper half of the boot shows any wear. Quoted:
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Valsetz isn't that impressive to me.. |
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Ill reiterate here a little, Valsetz are fucking garbage. Thankfully they come with a lifetime replacement warranty, because every 3-4 months youll need it. Soles are very soft, and break down long before the upper half of the boot shows any wear. |
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I love my Lowa's. Zephyr GTX are super comfortable and last. I wore mine everyday for 2 years before wearing a hole in them. They don't have a zipper but are the best. Salomons and Lowas are the only duty boots I wear anymore. Wish salomon would come out with an 8" or 10" 4D & 3D and I wish Lowa would make the Z11 (11" boot) in black 
I prefer an 8-10" duty boot. |
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The Merrell's of 10 years ago are not the Merrells of today. My last pair of their hiking boots started going to shit within a month. First it was the pull tabs on the back of the shoe. They ripped off with hardly any pressure whilst putting them on. Then the eyelets started to tear and then one of the hooks where the laces anchor it at the top of the boot went loose.
Hiking in them, I might as well went barefoot. The soles flexed so much that I could feel sharp rocks on gravel or on the trail. There were still hot spots even after they were broken in. I finally threw the damn things out while I was camping when I tried to dry them out by the fire after crossing a stream. They melted and I had them about a foot away from the coals. I've had good luck with boots from Columbia. I got about six years out of one pair and the ones that replaced the Merrells have been going strong after a hunting season and everyday wear. Hell they hardly even look used. |
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This. Salomons and Lowas are the only duty boots I wear anymore. Wish salomon would come out with an 8" or 10" 4D & 3D and I wish Lowa would make the Z11 (11" boot) in black
I prefer an 8-10" duty boot. I own green and grey civilian Quest 4D with Goretex, Forces Quest 4D non Goretex in black, and Urban Jungle in polishable black leather. The leather is a lot slower to break in but the boots give fantastic support and breathability. Just wish they were side zip because lacing up a full height boot is a chore. |
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Have you not tried the Salomon Forces Ultra Jungle or Urban Jungle? I own green and grey civilian Quest 4D with Goretex, Forces Quest 4D non Goretex in black, and Urban Jungle in polishable black leather. The leather is a lot slower to break in but the boots give fantastic support and breathability. Just wish they were side zip because lacing up a full height boot is a chore. Thinking about picking up a pair of the Speed Assaults, but doesn't look like they're waterproof either. |
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Haven't tried their tactical stuff, but I have a pair of old Merrell Moab Ventilator shoes and a pair of Merrell Capra Bolt mid-boots and both are ultra-comfortable and have had more longevity than the Energizer bunny.
That being said, reading the other responses is making me wonder if that experience would be repeatable if I bought new ones now. 
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The quality of Merrell is lacking compared to what I've seen in other brands. I've had a pair of Moab's for less than 2 years now and they have been falling apart. I haven't put them through very rough use either. A little hiking/rucking and wearing them in my wood shop.
I plan to get a pair of Salomons for my upcoming deployment. |
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Merrels toe will seperate. Sad because I love merrel.
Valsetz are super comfortable if you aren't carrying a lot of weight. But like dude above said the soles are too soft and wear down way before the upper shows wear. I'm looking for my next hiking,gunning,tacticzl boot. I've had everything I don't know what's next |
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Surprised my thread is still going. As I said, Ill probably stick with my Acadias switched out with my Belleville 700ST. I guess if all else fails and I want a lightweight, zip tactical boot, I'll just get another pair of Bates UltraLites (reviews still show they have the same lifespan I was getting out of them).
On a side note, anyone here tried the new Danner Mtn 600's? The reviews seem good and I notice they have a black pair that appears polishable. Had my eye on the Low in Dark Brown as a possible replacement for my old Moabs. |
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