Built to get wet! The lightweight hiker (297 g) ensures a natural movement of the foot in addition to speed. The high-quality Vibramยฎ outsole offers good grip with the 3 mm deep profile. The soft Lycraยฎ neoprene is water-repellent and looks good on flow crosses as well as on damp surfaces.
- Synthetic sole
- Full grain leather upper
- Integrated lacing system for a glove-like fit
- Neoprene stretch collar for easy on and off
- Protective toe cap
- Kinetic Fit BASE removable contoured insole for flexible support























David J Russell Jr –
I needed some water shoes, and my feet aren’t going to grow anymore (40yo and no more babies thank you very much) so I wanted to get a proper pair that will work for creeking and rafting/canoeing and swimming in the lake/ocean, but also for playing disc golf with my husband and light trail hiking, and will last for the next 5-10 years at least. I started off by heading to Cabela’s (FYI, I have a local Cabela’s, Field and Stream, and Duluth all within spitting distance of each other, and out of those three brick and mortars, Cabela’s had the best water-hiking-shoes selection, BY FAR). In the store I tried on the KEEN Newport Hydro, the KEEN Whisper (mostly they had KEEN and their store brand, Worldwide Sportsman…or something like that), and a few of their Worldwide Sportsman brand. I did not find any Merrell water-hikers in-store (at any of the stores). Anyway, out of the ones I tried at Cabelas, I quickly decided against the Worldwide Sportsman as they did not fit well (loose on my very wide feet, but tight on top and jamming into my leg at the top of my foot). So that left the KEEN. Both the Whisper and the Newport fit well, but I wanted something sturdy and hefty, and the Newport fits the bill on that. If you are looking for cuter and lighter, the Whisper is that. I chose the KEEN Newport Hydro…but they didn’t have any in my proper size (size 10 womens, with a wide foot). I bought a half-size down (still fit all right) and went home ($100). I really wanted to try something other than KEEN, so enter Amazon. I proceeded to order the exact same KEEN in my proper size (10) and a different color ($100), the Merrell All-Out Blaze Sieve in a 10 ($75), and the ATIKA All-Terrain Orbital in a 10 ($31). I made sure they all had free returns before purchasing, and waited patiently to try them all before returning the rest. Here are my thoughts on them all:KEEN Newport Hydro***PROS***-Cute-Very sturdy sole-Fits firmly but still has lots of room in the toe box (excellent for wide feet)-Seem to fit okay in my proper size and a half-size down. In fact, when forced to choose, I would choose the half-size down-Larger cut-outs seem as though it would be easier for water to drain from shoe. Didn’t try in water so just my assumption-Excellent and substantial toe guard***CONS***-Expensive-Back strap is less comfortable than other options-Heavy***OVERALL OPINION***Great shoe. Comfortable. Heavy. Expensive.Merrell All-Out Blaze Sieve***PROS***-Cute-Fits like a dream-Very sturdy sole-Very comfortable to walk in-Back strap has an extra layer of padding compared to others I tried and it makes a huge difference when walking. Much more pleasant than KEEN-Cheaper than KEEN-Neoprene webbing around foot has less gaps in tongue area compared to the others***CONS***-Not as cute as the KEEN (just my personal taste), but still very very cute-Smaller cutouts compared to KEEN…not sure but my initial assumption is they would take longer to dry than the KEEN when creeking-Not as substantial guard in toe area***OVERALL OPINION***Great shoe. Very comfortable. Pretty expensive.ATIKA All-Terrain Orbital***PROS***-So inexpensive!-Cute-Very comfortable***CONS***-Fit is a bit weird. The bungee on top needed to be tightened a lot to fit on my wide foot, yet they were a touch short. Where the back of the sole comes up to hug your heel was jutting into my heel a bit and while not a big deal, it would likely be a big deal after wearing all day. Would prob need to size up half a size.***OVERALL OPINION***Surprisingly great shoe for the price. If price is your leading factor in deciding, or if your foot is still growing (hey girls your feet get bigger when you have a baby…I used to be a size 8 before my four kids), this would be a great shoe for you.In the end, I’m going with the Merrell. I expected to like the KEEN best, but was surprised at the superior comfort and the sturdiness of the Merrell, and at a cheaper price tag, I’m sold.
A. Spencer –
In an effort to replace my worn out, beloved pair of Ahnu sports sandals, which are no longer manufactured, I recently purchased the following shoes, all in size 9M:Teva Omnium SlateMerrell Women’s J034170 Choprock Shandal Hiking ShoeMerrell Women’s All Out Blaze Sieve Water ShoeMerrell womens Water Shoe HYDROTREKKER LTR SHANDALBrown Oak Women’s Closed Toe Outdoor Hiking Water Shoes Sport SandalsNorthside Santa Rosa Sport SandalTeva Terra Float Active Lace Wild Dove Womens Sporty SandalNote that I have a 2โ arch to support in this review. Yes, it really measures 2โ. Even the podiatrist was surprised. Okay, hereโs the rundown:The most rugged, most sportlike, and least sandal-like were the Merrells. If youโre looking for stability, support, and good traction, look at Merrell. All of them ran longer and more narrow, particularly in the heel. The Choprock felt lighter and more open than the All Out Blaze or the Hydrotrekker.The Brown Oak pair felt far larger in general and wider, specifically. My feet flopped around in them. Little molding or cushioning in the footbed; but then, thatโs relative to the Merrells.The Northside Santa Rosa was the most open and least sporty of them all. No molding or cushioning in the footbed. No real support. Scratchy interior. Better protection than open sandals, though.If you need to seriously lockdown your ankles, look to the Teva Omnium Slate. I liked the security, but it didnโt allow enough space in the instep for me. These took slightly more work to put on with the additional buckle. So, weigh whether you need stability or convenience more.Finally, and my favorite, the Teva Terra Float Active Lace felt immediately comfortable: soft interior; snug, but not tight; ample support; sufficient space in the instep to allow for an additional ยพ orthotic for arch support; supportive, but not clunky; plenty of breathability; more coverage (in mesh) for the forefoot than my Ahnu pair, which should help keep out debris; sufficient traction for my everyday activities.Ahnu had been an offshoot of Teva, and is now manufactured by Teva. So, it makes sense that the Tevas were a good replacement for my old Ahnus. Iโm grateful I found a pair that would keep my feet comfortable.
gary f –
While these were comfortable for hiking, water crossings and wet landings, the openings allowed rocks, gravel to get inside. My husband bought the mens version of this shoe which has mesh covering all the openings except the heel area. He did not struggle with rocks getting onto his shoes. I note that Merrill has discontinued this Womenโs style. Hopefully they are planning to redesign them with mesh like the Menโs style.
toomanypets –
Like the material, it is soft and no rubbing.However the arch support is not enough for me to use these for more than very short walks.
consumer opinion –
just hiked a small mountain in these. steep up. these shoes hug your feet with comfortable support. I felt confident rock hopping dry. they do tend to be not so grippy when wet. I lose my confidence in their safety and take it very gently when they are wet (sadly. thought that was what their claim was they they are great and grippy when wet). another drawback is, you do tend to get grit and the occasional rock you want to brush out, so depending on terrain you may or may not be annoyed by that. I wear these often as just every day shoes. so comfortable. Merrell has never done me wrong (except by discontinuing styles I like!) true to size.
laurie Hardman –
Great for hiking near water or for everyday use
Kathy Chicorelli –
I have warn these brand before so I knew what size to get. I love these shoes I wear these every day in the summer!
Tracy C. –
Super comfortable I wanna wear them all the time