Merrell Mix Master Tuff Mid Waterproof

UPDATED: This is great entry-level footwear for ultralight and minimalist beginners. I've had the time to review this alongside a pair of inov-8 shoes and I've really come to appreciate Merrell's design here. This one, if you're interested in a lightweight hiker that gives a bit of support, is worth your consideration.

The Mix Master Tuff Mid Waterproof is one of Merrell's first attempts, if not their first serious attempt, at meeting the needs of the ultralight and minimalist markets. In some ways, it's neither fully ultralight or minimalist by today's top tier standards.

For example, a typical minimalist would not like that the overall sole thickness of this shoe is too thick by their standards. While that's a bad thing for that person, it's probably a good thing for someone that is just starting with ultralight / minimalist hiking. So, don't let that sway you away.  

If you're new to either ultralight or minimalist hiking then you might consider this as a shoe / boot that helps your transition. Personally, that's where I think this boot really shines.  I've had a chance to put these up against a pair of inov-8 minimalist hikers and I have to say, there's a big difference between them. The inov-8 sole is so thin, you really will feel every single rock on the trail.

That's not the case with these Merrell boots. While the mid-sole does not have a rock-plate, it is firm and rigid enough to get you on your way without the pains of feeling every little bump in the trail. So to be clear, this is VERY different than the construction of the inov-8 shoe I was testing.  If the inov-8 qualifies as a minimalist shoe, then these are somewhere between minimalist and fully supportive.  I like them a lot.

The 3.5mm lugs on the bottom are smartly angled for best traction at the different parts of the outsole. This is a good design.  That said, I have slipped more than once on roots and rocks, so footing awareness is key with these guys.  What I'm saying is, these are not the grippiest soles I've used, but they're not dangerously slippery either.  They are good quality.

Here are some details:

Size: I usually wear 11W for my shoe size. For boots, I order 11.5W to accommodate thick socks and that turned out perfect. There is even a little extra room, which I'm sure my feet will fill as they swell during longer hikes.  Long story short, these seem "true to size".  As a part of my update to this review, I'll add that the sizing and fit are designed well to support athletic movement on the trail.  Further, I rarely jam my toes in the footbox, so I think Merrell gets points for this too (you don't want to be the hiker that gets their toes jacked up in the backwoods if you can help it).

Weight: The Merrell website says these shoes are 22 ounces per pair. I'm sure that's for a smaller size. My size 11.5 shoes weighed in at 29.21 ounces on my digital postal scale (for the pair). That's not quite the 22 ounces (or less) that typifies the ultralight / minimalist category, but they certainly are not heavy by any stretch. My last pair was over 47 ounces, so I'm pretty happy with 29!

Break-in period: They arrive ready to go. No break-in necessary.

Outer design: These are small shoes compared to typical hiking shoes. Here are a few pics to compare how the Merrell is a fraction of the size of the boots they are replacing.

Inner design: Merrell has certainly earned their reputation for making outstanding footwear. Rest assured, this boot is no exception. Please note that you can't expect this boot to wear the same way that a more fortified boot does. For example, there's minimal arch support which likely plays into reduced weight. If you don't need a lot of arch support, then no worries. If you do, then you'd likely use inserts anyway. No loss for either buyer.

Otherwise the support is sure-footed, and the inner mid-sole provides a basic pivot point for when you're hiking with a load. This earns top marks, provided you're not trying to carry a 40lb+ pack.  So, they're designed for "fast and light", but they won't hold up to heavy loads.

As for the question of how they hold up under distance and trail rigor, I've put just under 50 miles on these in 6 trips with about 12,000 feet of ascent and they're holding up fine. On the longer mileage days I don't think these boots add or detract from the fatigue. Honestly I don't remember owning a hiking boot that could take away fatigue, but I've used plenty that have poor design and that can make a hiking day worse.  These most definitely do not make a hiking day worse.

Insulation: These boots have nearly no insulation. They certainly provide more protection than sandals, but don't expect a whole lot more insulating support compared to a pair of tennis shoes.  Your thick wool socks will be your friend.  However, because the boot does have a waterproof barrier (which works well, I'll add), this also creates a bit of a vapor barrier effect which adds to the insulative qualities.  I had these in some alpine snow and my feet never once felt cold.

Good luck and happy adventuring!