Merrell Men's Nova 3 Tactical Mid Waterproof Military Boot Review
The Merrell Men's Nova 3 Tactical Mid Waterproof Military Boot is engineered for those who demand both comfort and durability while working outdoors. This boot combines sneaker-like lightness with rugged hiker attributes, making it an ideal companion for various outdoor activities. The boot's waterproof membrane effectively seals out moisture, ensuring your feet stay dry while allowing excess vapor to escape. With its innovative COMFORTBASE™ footbed, you can enjoy all-day comfort, no matter where your adventures take you.
Related Products
Features
- Waterproof membrane that seals out water while letting moisture escape
- Merrell Air Cushion in the heel for shock absorption and stability
- COMFORTBASE rubberized EVA midsole enhances shock absorption and cushioning
- NXT treated to prevent odors, keeping your boots fresh
- Vibram TC5+ outsole offers exceptional traction for outdoor multi-sport activities
Pros
- Lightweight design provides sneaker-like comfort
- Excellent waterproofing keeps feet dry in wet conditions
- Durable construction suitable for rugged environments
- Great traction from Vibram outsole enhances stability and grip
Cons
- Some may find the ankle height a bit restrictive
- Limited color options available
Comparison With Other Similar Products
| Boot Model | Weight | Waterproof | Traction Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merrell Men's Nova 3 Tactical Mid | Lightweight | Yes | Exceptional |
| Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX | Moderate | Yes | Good |
| KEEN Targhee III Mid Waterproof | Moderate | Yes | Very Good |
Detailed Review
Comfort: The Merrell Nova 3 Tactical Mid excels in comfort thanks to its COMFORTBASE footbed, which adapts to your foot’s shape, providing support where you need it most. The lightweight design doesn’t weigh you down, making these boots suitable for extended wear during outdoor tasks or hikes.
Durability: Crafted with high-quality leather and reinforced materials, these boots are built to withstand the rigors of outdoor work. You can trust them to hold up against tough terrain and environmental factors, making them a worthwhile investment for any outdoor enthusiast.
Performance: The Merrell Air Cushion enhances stability while reducing the impact on your joints. When paired with the Vibram TC5+ outsole, you get outstanding grip and traction across various surfaces, whether you're navigating rocky paths or muddy trails.
Fit: While the boot typically fits true to size, some users have noted that the ankle height might feel restrictive at first. However, with time and wear, they often break in nicely, offering a snug yet comfortable fit.
Detailed Rating
| Category | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | 9/10 | Extremely comfortable for long hours of wear, thanks to the advanced footbed technology. |
| Durability | 8/10 | Constructed with high-quality materials; excellent for rugged use but may show signs of wear over time. |
| Performance | 9/10 | Outstanding traction and shock absorption make it reliable for various terrains. |
| Fit | 7/10 | Generally true to size, but the ankle height may initially feel too firm for some wearers. |
User Reviews
I am a UPS Delivery Driver and I am always searching for the best footwear for the long hours of we do. By far these are the best pair of shoes I have ever purchased. I had an opportunity to test the out on a rainy day, my feet stayed dry, the slip resistant soles were great. Merrell shoes are definitely a great shoe for long intensive work days!
Had to look didn't you. LolNice shoe's and are very comfortable, only had them a week so will have to wait and see how durable they are.
At first I thought that they wouldn’t keep me confortable because the sole looks pretty thin but I was wrong again the sole held up to a 16 hour shift.
I have had several pairs of Merrell footwear over the years and have always been satisfied with the fit, comfort and quality of their product. These boots look very similar to my Trail Glove 5s and I expected the same type of quality, however these were a huge disappointment. While I will say that they are comfortable right out of the box, as other reviewers have pointed out - these boots make a very noticeable “swooshing” plastic bag like crinkling sound while walking, and the rubber-like coating on the toe box also sounds as if it is delaminating as the material rebounds fromhaving any sort pressure on it(IE kneeling down). Not sure if it is the type of materials used or the construction, but either way this is not the type of quality you should expect for $160. For a company who has made some great tactical boots, these are a total miss. Do better, Merrell.
I had high hopes for these as Ive always been a fan of this brand. They are very comfortable however, the arch area is significant more narrow then other shoes and over about a month of daily use, they have cause my plantar fasciitis to flame up due to a weird pressure they put on the arch. I would not recommend these for people unless you have very high arches.
The materials, color, and comfort is all there in these Merrell tactical boots! I definitely would buy them again!
They are extremely comfortable boots. The color in some pictures make it look coyote brown and the description even has it listed as dark coyote brown. They are honestly more of a sandy tan type of color.