So comfortable - they put summer in my step! (Merrell Siren Ventilator)

Member Name: Trix1212

Product:	Merrell Siren Ventilator
Date:	05/04/09 (116 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Comfortable, light, quick to dry

Disadvantages: Not waterproof, perhaps not sturdy enough for more challenging walking

A last minute summer holiday in beautiful Pembrokeshire two years ago had me frantically searching for a pair of comfortable walking shoes. My old boots were rubbing my heels and, not being a huge fan of clunky walking boots anyway I decided that some light shoes would be enough. Of the very little choice in my small town I finally plumped for these in Millets. I think they were about £65 which seemed pricey but they seemed comfortable, Merrell was a name I knew and I have only ever heard good things about them so I decided to risk it. Two years later I think that they were worth every penny!

Faced, a week later, with an eight mile coast walk in the hot sun in new shoes, worn only a couple of times - I feared blisters by the end of the day! From that very first walk I was very impressed, the shoes were comfortable from the start and only rubbed (a very little) in the last hour or so of the day. From then till now I have worn them on summer walks in many, many times and have never had any problems at all. Supremely comfortable, light and airy, they are perfect for avoiding nasty sweaty feet and blisters!

They are made from breathable fabric with suede (I usually avoid leather wherever possible but will occasionally buy it for good quality walking shoes that I know will last, not great for a vegetarian I know but there are limited alternatives and several pairs of cheap synthetic shoes will only wear out and go on to clutter up the planet! I have a tendancy to overthink these things!) which means that they are not at all waterproof and therefore totally unsuitable for winter/rain walking but they do dry out very quiclkly and on the few occasions where I have got my feet wet they are not really uncomfortable to wear. I would also avoid the beach where possible because of the suede but mud and wet seems to do them no harm at all. I am notoriously bad at remembering (or bothering) to clean shoes - another reason that I am prepared to pay more for quality and sturdiness! - and as I type they sit beside me caked with mud!

Perfect for summer walks, for holidays (I packed just these and a pair of flip flops for a recent break in Tenerife and they were perfect for the plane and the walking we did there) and they look better with jeans than trainers! I would highly recommend them as an alternative to heavy walking boots for general use and will certainly buy Merrell shoes again. They have some very nice sandals and summer is coming again...

Summary: The best shoes I have ever bought!