Merrell Hiking Boot

When it came down to finding the right pair of Merrell hiking boots you currently own, you did everything right. By the book, in fact. You checked the soles for solidity. Checked ankle support. You wore the same socks you would have worn during hiking. And you tried them on.

You basically researched the boot universe, not just Merrell hiking boots in general, to zero in on the perfect model that suited you best – you and your peculiar needs. Because you want to make sure that your Merrell hiking boots fit properly. That is, they cradle your heel just so while giving your arch proper support and your toes room to wiggle.

And after you bought your precious, precious pair of Merrell hiking boots, you followed all the rules in breaking the boot in, so that before hitting the trail, your feet feel as comfy as though you weren't any boots at all.

So end of a very happy story?

Not quite.

To avoid any future existential malaise with your Merrell hiking boots, you need to do a little more work than that. For peaceful coexistence with boots requires staying one step ahead of fitting problems and mechanical breakdowns that might mar an otherwise perfect relationship between you and your Merrell hiking boots.

Below are the tricks of the trade you can use as you go the distance with your precious:

Sensitive Feet

If you're one of those people with sensitive feet (and there are many), then you may already know that the inside of a Merrell hiking boot, or any boot for that matter, can be an inhospitable place for your feet. No matter how many times you've tried the boot on before actually buying, after miles of walking on rugged terrains, boots do have a tendency to cramp. The effect ranges from tired feet to blisters.

What's the solution? There are many actually, but the most obvious one is to relieve the pressure by skillful lacing.

Skillful lacing how? Well, it really depends entirely on which part of your foot feels the pressure. Skillful lacing takes knowing which foot part is suffering.

For instance, if the top of your foot feels tender, then reduce the local pressure by bypassing the lace rings that would guide the laces over that tender spot. Or if you feel a little tight over the toes, then remove the laces from the bottom rings.

Sometimes, you may find that you need a tighter fit over certain areas of your foot. Good boots like Merrell hiking boots usually have locking hooks at the bend of the ankle to grip the laces and allow you to have different tensions above and below the hooks. Use these.

But if your pair of Merrell hiking boots do not have locks, or maybe they are positioned in the wrong place for you, then take an extra turn of the laces around the hooks or through the rings. You can also tie a half-knot before you continue lacing to the top for a better grip.