Review: Merrell Women’s All Out Blaze Aero Sport Hiking Water Shoe

If you’ve ever attempted to plan a vacation in an unfamiliar destination, you are likely familiar with the challenges and frustration involved in packing for a trip that requires both water shoes and hiking boots. You need a pair of shoes that offers breathability and quick-drying properties, while at the same time allowing you to hike many dozens of miles in the backwoods. The Merrell Women’s All Out Blaze Aero Sport Hiking Water Shoe does that.

You’ll want to limit the number of shoes you need to lug around with you. As well you would be wise to consider a shoe that offers a two-in-one design. 

Although this shoe has a long name, its purpose is anything but complicated. Merrell has an easy-to-wear, quick-drying, and comfortable footwear option in this dynamic model for ladies.

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The Appearance of Merrell Women’s All Out Blaze Aero Sport Shoe

This stylish shoe comes in over half a dozen colors, including Very Grape, Beige, Black, Sea Pine, Vapor, Grey, and Blue Heaven. These creative color combinations make it possible for you to tailor these shoes toward any stylish hiking ensemble, without having to sacrifice form or function in the process.

These shoes are attractive, riding low on the foot and making them a good choice no matter where or when you choose to wear them.

The Fit of Merrell Women’s All Out Blaze Aero Sport Shoe

These lightweight shoes ride a bit lower on the ankle than other hiking shoes. They have an open back and a mesh lining that makes them nice and cool for any setting. The Vibram outsole of the shoe grips surfaces nicely, but also flexes so that your foot does not feel cramped inside the shoe.

They offer stability and all-around support, making them ideal for rough ground or for an easy urban walk.

Performance of Merrell Women’s All Out Blaze Aero Sport Shoe

This shoe is ideal for any hiker looking for a multi-purpose, no-nonsense hiking shoe. The Omni-fit lacing system is designed to provide a precise fit that molds to your specific foot like a glove.

The unique Bellow tongue of the shoe also helps keep dirt out, reducing friction and discomfort inside your shoe. The shoe allows you to scramble over rough rocks easily, without having to worry about scratching your foot or scraping your ankle.

Merrell Women’s All Out Blaze Aero Sport shoe also has a breathable mesh lining that allows for hiking in all kinds of conditions and weather. It is well ventilated, making it ideal for both hot temperatures and damp riverbeds.

Even better, it is incredibly lightweight, weighing less than twelve ounces for the pair. You will barely notice that you are wearing shoes when you tie these rugged hikers on.

The only downside to these shoes is that since they are water shoes and designed to be worn in the water, they are not waterproof. While the mesh outer lining of the shoes allows water to move through easily, this provides for a somewhat soggy experience if you fully submerge the shoe.

That being said, because they are so lightweight and well-ventilated, any water that comes into contact with the shoe or with your foot dries incredibly quickly. Because they dry so quickly, you will be less likely to encounter blisters and other moisture-related problems.

For rocky trails, these shoes are ideal. They offer decent ankle support for a lightweight, more breathable shoe. If you’re hiking in varied terrain, these shoes are optimal, allowing you to switch back and forth between damp and rocky conditions with ease.

Stability and Support of Merrell Women’s All Out Blaze Aero Sport Shoe

These shoes have a synthetic sole that grips swell to a vast majority of hiking surfaces. Comprised of a molded TPU heel counter, the shoes have stability that surpasses comparison with other models.

Many users swap out the insoles of these shoes with orthotic inserts. This helps add more comfort to these shoes, which tend to have a thinner outer sole and less cushion than other hiking boots. That being said, they are so lightweight that much cushion is not really necessary.

Many users are so impressed with this shoe’s arch support that, despite a lack of cushioning, they don’t need to even use an insert anyway.

Traction of Merrell Women’s All Out Blaze Aero Sport Shoe

These shoes hold up well under rugged conditions. They have excellent tread and while they don’t offer much in the way of arch or toe support, they work well for traversing long distances – particularly those where lots of water is in the way.

Durability

These shoes are durable, with most users reporting several hundred miles of use before they begin to wear down. They can take a serious beating, with one wearer reporting that they have “gone…to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, the top of a mountains, across rivers, up cliffs…and to work 40 hours a week for an entire year.”

That’s quite the resume – and it’s a resume you want your shoe to have if you are looking for a durable, long-lasting option.

The best thing about this shoe is it’s easy to keep clean, requiring very little in the way of special care. All you need to do is wash it with mild soap and warm water to remove the majority of all dirt and discoloration.

Pros

• Wide toe box that is roomy, even for those with wider feet
• Quick drying mesh makes it easy and comfortable to hike in hot or wet weather
• Insoles aren’t necessary, unless you are looking for added arch support
• Lightweight shoe that handles wet conditions with ease, providing fantastic traction

Cons

• One of the more expensive options, with prices ranging dramatically depending on size and color

Out-of-the-Box Use of Merrell Women’s All Out Blaze Aero Sport Shoe

I found that I didn’t have to wear these for extended periods of time to break them in. However, you could do that so you can decide if you want to insert an additional or alternative insole.

Because these shoes are a bit thinner and offer less ankle support, it’s a good idea to try them out on easy paths for a while to make sure they are the right shoe for you.

How It Stacks Up With Other Hiking Water Shoes

This is a great every day shoe that works well in most conditions. I was able to wear the shoe as a daily footwear option, as well as on long travels and over  more rugged backwoods hiking trips.  The main criticism of these shoes?

Because the shoe is made mostly out of mesh material, it’s easy for dirt and debris to work their way inside the shoe. This can add to some discomfort during a hike. That was only a minor annoyance because there are a myriad of other advantages of this shoe.

If you’re thinking about ordering these shoes, go half a size up.

This will help keep debris away from your foot and prevent any uncomfortable pinching or rubbing.

Plus, wearing socks are not required for these shoes since they’re really designed to be worn in the water as well as on the trail.

However, a larger shoe size will give you the flexibility to wear socks or insert orthotics if so desired.

Womans Merrell Blaze – Our Verdict

If you like to fish, swim, hike, or any combination of those activities, these could be the shoes for you.

The Merrell Women’s All Out Blaze Aero Sport Hiking Water Shoes are designed for the jack of all trades. The person who doesn’t want to limit their activities to a single sport, all because they only have one pair of shoes.

Consider these shoes if you are looking for a versatile, affordable option that will help you to check many of your recreational boxes in one fell swoop.