Contributions by Mr. Bingbang (1)

The Vasque Mercury lands squarely between two of my other favorites, the Vasque Endorphin and the North Face Prophecy. Both the soles and the uppers of the Prophecy are very light, it fits well and feels very good for casual walking. The Endorphin has a relatively heavy sole and light uppers. My foot feels far more protected on rough trails and rocks. The Endorphin also boasts excellent traction. The Mercury, by comparison, has a light sole and a somewhat heavy and more stiff upper. You may need to break these in a bit. They offer light weight and very good control, but would not be my first choice on rocky trails. A plus is the reflective inserts. Night walkers will notice cars giving them a wider berth. These have a more urban sensibility in function and appearance. Try them out.