Men’s Merrell Crosslander 3 Low Hiking Boots Review

This is my review of the Men’s Merrell Crosslander 3 Low Hiking Boots!

These versatile shoes, marketed as low hiking boots but more akin to hiking shoes, have been my trusted companions for a few months now. I’m sharing my experience with them in case you’re considering a similar pair for your outdoor adventures.

Choosing the right hiking footwear is crucial for a memorable and injury-free hike. I’m here to share my insights on the Men’s Merrell Crosslander 3 Low Hiking Boots to help you make an informed decision.

My goal in writing this review is to inform you about what I think of these hiking shoes. You might be looking for a good hiking shoe, and this shoe might be right for you. However, my review might show that these Men’s Merrell Crosslander 3 Low Hiking Boots aren’t right for you—it’s up to you to decide.

Men’s Merrell Crosslander 3 Low Hiking Boots First Impressions

My initial thoughts of the Men’s Merrell Crosslander 3 Low Hiking Boots were fairly positive.

I like the design of the shoes. They’re low-cut boots, but they look more like shoes. I think you look better in hiking shoes wearing shorts than you do in boots. The colors of the shoes are good, too, and they’re very outdoor and hiking-appropriate.

They look like hiking boots, but they are in shoe form, which is likely what Merrell wanted to do with them.

At first glance, the quality of the Men’s Merrell Crosslander 3 Low Hiking Boots looked fine. It’s a lightweight shoe that looks to be well-created. As I said, it does have the features of a hiking boot but looks like a shoe.

Comfort and Fit

The Men’s Merrell Crosslander 3 Low Hiking Boots provide immediate comfort right out of the box, reassuring you of a pleasant hiking experience.

I broke them in on the first hike I wore them. While they’re marketed as boots, they aren’t very stiff like boots and don’t take several hikes to break them in, at least for me. The first hike I wore them on was around three or four miles and moderately rugged.

For the most part, wearing these shoes on both flat and uneven terrain provided comfort, but taller, jagged rocks might be different since the shoe is low cut and your ankles aren’t as protected.

Size-wise, the shoes fit me true to size. I got a size 13, and they fit snug but not too snug. I typically get my boots one size larger so that I can wear thick socks in the cold of winter, but I didn’t do that this time because I’ll only be using these shoes for warmer-weather hikes.

Performance and Durability

The Men’s Merrell Crosslander 3 Low Hiking Boots do very well on almost any terrain.

I wore them on dirt and muddy trails, rocky, uneven trails, and gravel forest service roads. While they did well on dirt and rocky terrain, they didn’t do well on gravel forest service roads. I got blisters wearing them after hiking 5 miles along Snake Road, which is all gravel.

These shoes have an average grip on wet rocks, which means you should always be careful no matter what shoes you wear when on wet rocks.

These shoes are not waterproof. If you walk through puddles or anything like that, prepare to have wet feet. I do want to note that the Men’s Merrell Crosslander 3 Low Hiking Boots try faster than my normal Oboz Waterproof Hiking Boots.

Since this low hiking boot is more like a shoe, I’ll say that the breathability is very good during longer hikes. My feet never got hot like they would if I was wearing regular hiking boots.

These shoes are lightweight and not thick like boots. They protect your feet from smaller rocks, but I definitely felt pokes from larger, jagged rocks. Since there really isn’t any ankle support, you’ll want to be careful around larger rocks.

I’ve been using these hiking shoes for more than a few months now, and they’ve held up well with little to no wear.

Support and Stability

As I’ve stated above, these do not provide any ankle support because they’re basically shoes.

The cushion between the ground and the bottom of your feet is minimal. That isn’t to say it’s uncomfortable; it is comfortable. However, it was made to be like a shoe, so you can’t expect it to be as cushioned as a boot.

The arch support of the Men’s Merrell Crosslander 3 Low Hiking Boots is very stable, and I found them comfortable to wear on longer hikes, which averaged around 10 miles a day.

Weight and Portability

While the shoe is marketed as a boot, as I said, it’s more like a shoe, and because of that, it’s a lot lighter than a boot.

These shoes help me during longer hikes. My hiking boots are waterproof and heavy because they’re made for winter, but I wanted a shoe so that I could be more comfortable during the summer hiking season.

The shoes are also light enough to pack in case I take them traveling or even backpacking, but the size can be an issue as I wear larger shoes.

Pros and Cons of the Men’s Merrell Crosslander 3 Low Hiking Boots

There are a few pros and cons of the Men’s Merrell Crosslander 3 Low Hiking Boots.

The shoe’s pros are that it’s lightweight and comfortable during warmer weather. It’s stylish, looking like a hiking boot turned into a shoe. It’s built well, and it’s lasted in some pretty rugged hiking conditions.

The CONs are basic, including the fact that there is no ankle support and that they don’t wear hiking boots on gravel or rocks that are pointy and jagged.

I think Merrell could improve these low hiking boots by adding a thicker but lightweight sole. I’d almost add something like you’d see on a running shoe. That would solve most of the issues that people would have with the shoe.

Comparison with Competitors

Compared to other hiking shoes that are relevant to the price of these shoes, I’ve found that the Men’s Merrell Crosslander 3 Low Hiking Boots are just as good, if not better.

I’ve worn similar shoes by the company Keen. While Keen often makes fairly good hiking shoes, I’ve found that their grip isn’t always as good as Merrell’s. Even though I won’t completely rely on a grip being the best, I at least want something made to walk on wet rocks, and Merrell has always delivered on that need.

Men’s Merrell Crosslander 3 Low Hiking Boots Price and Value

The Men’s Merrell Crosslander 3 Low Hiking Boots will cost you around $70.00 new at most shoe stores thar carry Merrell hiking shoes and boots.

I’ve found that this price is fair. My hiking boots typically cost over $200 because they’re thicker and waterproof. I wouldn’t want to pay over $200 for a hiking shoe that isn’t waterproof, so I’m happy that I paid under $100.

Final Verdict

The Men’s Merrell Crosslander 3 Low Hiking Boots are great for summer hiking if you want something other than a heavy hot boot.

These hiking shoes are best for any hiker, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned hiker like me. If you want something lightweight and stylish, these are a great choice. However, if you need ankle support and water resistance, these are not for you.

I encourage you to try them out on a few hikes and then comment on this blog to tell me what you think about them—I’d love to know.

Men’s Merrell Crosslander 3 Low Hiking Boots Final Thoughts

I’m glad I bought the Men’s Merrell Crosslander 3 Low Hiking Boots for my summer hiking activities. They look good with whatever I wear, whether that’s shorts, hiking pants, or even running tights. Aside from the style and look, they feel comfortable and breathe.

But when it comes to winter hiking, I’ll be back in my boots for that.

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