The Merrell Thermo Freeze 6″ Waterproof Winter Hiker

I’ve always been a fan of a good deal, so when I saw the Merrell Thermo Freeze 6″ Waterproof Winter Hikers on sale (cause I got last season’s style) I was stoked!!! If there’s one thing we love here at C&C, it’s finding a bargain on all of the gear that we have researched and use in the field. While the gear we typically review on this blog can get to be pretty hefty in price, I can assure you that we’re checking all of the online outlets and saving as much as we possibly can when hunting down these deals.

I found these beauties on sale at Zappos for 65% off normal retail because they were from the 2019 collection and not the coveted 2020 batch so widely revered. Another great thing about finding this pair is because when shopping for discounted items it can be rough to find them in your own size, but here we are, set and ready to go for the 2021 winter hiking season. What really stood out for me was performance and weight. These shoes are extremely lightweight and durable.

Merrell Product Description – Stay warm all season long with the long-lasting durability and insulated comfort of the Merrell® Thermo Freeze 6″ Waterproof winter boot. Waterproof PU-coated leather and mesh upper with a protective rubber shell. M Select™ DRY waterproof membrane keeps feet protected from the wet elements. 400g M Select™ lightweight insulation keeps you warm and comfortable. Traditional lace-up closure with fabric laces and metal hooks for a secure fit. Front and back pull loops for easy entry. Bellows tongue keeps debris out. Removable Kinetic Fit™ Base insole is contoured for underfoot support and comfort. EVA midsole for stability and shock absorption. Molded nylon arch shank for added stability. Vibram® Arctic Grip™ outsole delivers maximum traction on wet ice and in most winter conditions. 5mm lug depth. Imported. Measurements: Weight: 1 lb 2 oz Shaft: 4 3⁄4 in Product measurements were taken using size 11, width M. Please note that measurements may vary by size. Weight of footwear is based on a single item, not a pair.

I typically buy shoes a little larger so that I have some room for my toes, so while I’m a 13 normally, I purchased a size 14 for these shoes, and it was a good choice. Because of the additional padding and whatnot, they fit perfectly. So if you’re looking at this shoe, get it a size larger than normal.

Over the New Year’s weekend, we went up to Kohler-Andrae State Park and winter camped, and these beauties really came in handy.

It was about 10 degrees colder than either of us had camped before, but with the Merrill Thermo Freeze, my toes stayed nice and warm and dry. I didn’t even use the toes warmers that Jaime had purchased (probably because those are going to get a lousy review somewhere down the road).

The Vibram Artic Grip soles performed great while traversing really icy areas. I never felt like I was going to slip or slide on the ice and that alone made me really like these shoes. They were completely stable even in rough and slippery conditions.

All in all I’d give these shoes a 9 out 10 rating for performance, and a 10 out of 10 rating on the price I found them for.

Happy New Year everyone! Get out there – explore – and make the best of whatever your situation is.

Cheers!

~CK