This is a great shoe, but for fear of 'over-pumping' a product, there are a couple minor issues listed.
First, if you are backpacking, you are better off getting a really good hiking boot, and if you are gonna be where there is rain or rivers, you will want a shoe with Gore-Tex. This is a comfortable shoe for "light" hiking or trail walking, but with even a medium load pack, after 7 miles, my feet were aching. There is not enough insole cushioning for the shoe--and these shoes were broken-in. The shoe claims to ventilate, but I found them quite warm in the warmer weather.
The shoes did provide adequate support, and feel solid on the ground. So far I'm enjoying them as regular about town casual shoes.

These could be the best shoes I have ever owned. I hike a lot and they have held up well, in fact I bought another pair to wear for every day use.

These shoes simply are the best most aggressive I have ever worn. The grip on them will grip to anything and last a long time. They are very durable. I have two pairs, one for work and the other for play. I am a landscaper, and I have had boots wear out faster than these shoes. Both pairs took no time to break in. It's like they where ready to go when I got them.

I wore these for over 4 years, mainly traveling, working, and on weekend. I've used them in Middle East, Far East, and winter in North America. Never felt uncomfortable wearing them in any condition, dry, heat, wet, snow (though be aware these are not waterproof, there's Gore-tex version exist, but because I intend to wear in the desert environment, I didn't choose that option). Chameleon sole seem to hold up really well, though after 4 years they start loosing grip on wet metal surface. To my surprise the bungee lace is still going strong after 4 + years. Not the best looking shoes, but they get the job done. Some of my friends in the military and police also wear them on duty and they swear these are the best.
I'm glad this site offers Merrell now, one stop shop for everything!

These shoes are the best!

I´m a senior Broadcast Producer in a large Advertising Agency in Bogota, Colombia, and I spend most of my days on my feet, running from one meeting to the next, going to post and sound studios, and on many TV ad shoots, and these shoes give me support and confort all day long.

I have the same model in several colors, and they are the only ones I really like and enjoy.

And they last like forever.

I´ll get more soon.

If my feel could talk, they would be telling me right now that they owe me big time, these shoes are without question the most comfortable I have ever worn. The bonus with the comfort are that they also look good (midnight blue is the way forward I reckon) and once you get the hang of getting them on and using the quick tie lace, you'll wonder why all shoes aren't like this. Since the soles are Vibram, they take care of themselves and superbly finish off a great shoe. Although these shoes are labeled for hiking, which they are great for, they are perfect for just wearing. The only drawback is that they are not fully waterproof but then you'd get the Gore-Tex XCR version for bad weather days.

I have this shoe from probably 4 years ago, and it is still by go-to shoe for anything. This thing is comfortable, easy to get on and off and grippy. A perfect shoe for those of us who hate laced and never take the time to untie them when we are done before taking the shoe off. The extra stretch cord does not get in the way (although I have mine pretty loose). Simply put, buy this shoe if you want a solid trail shoe that works awesome.

These shoes are amazing for many reasons. They fit like a glove first of all (awesome with SmartWool sock). They look awesome. They have an awesome grip on rock, dirt, whatever. They're the same type of shoe Bear Gryll wears on Man vs. Wild (he uses the Gore-Tex model most of the time). I took them on a hike to Dog Lake in Utah from MillCreek Canyon with a small pack the first time I wore them and they performed immediately. I also have the Gore-Tex model (which have stood up to demanding circumstances for months now) but I thought I would get these to use on light hikes and just for looks. Bottom line: no gripes, remarkable shoe. Love Merrell!