Merrell Gore-tex XCR Stormfront

[eternalX]

A year ago I went into REI to use my dividend and 20% discount and walked out with these shoes. I've been wearing them on and off since and I had to write in and say that I've been more than happy with them.

 

The Shoes

 

Pros : There are four scenarios that come to mind where these guys came in handy. They were my main shoe on a 2 week trip to Japan. One night my friend and I sat in the puring rain for an hour or more to cath a bus to Kyoto. The parking lot was drenched and we ran through numerous puddles. By the time we got on the bus. We were both pretty soaked. The only difference was that my feet were completely dry while hers were soaked. Socks and all. I felt for her on that 8 hour bus ride.

 

Two times I've worn these shoes snowshoeing. Both times my feet remained dry without sweating to death.

 

This last weekend we did a 5 mile hike up by Goldmyer through low snow levels. My feet stayed 90% dry. My girlfriend's hiking boots were soaked through (granted her boots sucked).

 

They are also very comfortable and after a year, showing little signs of wear. I've also run in them and taken them to the gym.

 

Cons: The biggest con is the look. While the one piece navy fabric tries to give the shoe a clean look, the multiple florescent yellow Merrell logos (5 total per shoe!) and the weird gray piece towards the back oh the shoe (for support) gurantee that this shoe cannot double date as an urban shoe.

 

So I highly recommend this shoe. I think they make some that look better now too.

 

Cheers