If you think climbing coaches spend all their time dangling off cliffs yelling motivational quotes, you’re… not entirely wrong. But what people don’t see is what happens before we even touch the rock—like scrambling up steep terrain with a 20kg gear bag, dodging tree roots, and trying not to lose a toe to a rogue pinecone. That’s why I take my footwear very seriously. Merrell hiking shoes—the only thing more reliable than my morning espresso.
I’ve gone through my fair share of boots. Some were too stiff, others too soft, and one pair basically disintegrated halfway up a trail in British Columbia. I won’t name names, but they know what they did. Then, one of my fellow coaches casually mentioned the magic of Merrell. I scoffed. “I need climbing shoes, not comfort clogs.” He grinned, handed me his muddy pair and said, “Try ‘em. You’ll see.” I did. I did see.
First off, the grip. These shoes are like mountain goats for your feet. I’m talking about scrambling up slick granite, bounding over wet roots, and hopping down loose scree like I’m starring in my own personal outdoor action film. Zero slippage, even when I stepped directly on a suspiciously shiny patch of moss.
The first weekend I wore my Merrells, I took my team on a two-day training session out near Jasper. It rained. And I don’t mean light drizzle—I mean apocalyptic “build-an-ark” kind of downpour. While other shoes became soggy regret sponges, mine held strong. Waterproof? Check. Still breathable? Somehow, yes. My feet stayed dry and blister-free. At the end of the trip, while everyone was peeling their socks off like damp fruit roll-ups, I was doing a victory dance in mine.
But what really sold me wasn’t the trail performance—it was the post-climb pub visit.
There’s this moment after a long day in the wild when you transition from “trail goblin” back to “civilized human,” and I never thought hiking shoes could be part of that transition. But these? Sleek enough that I didn’t look like I just crawled out of a ravine. A student even said, “Hey coach, nice kicks.” High praise from a Gen Z’er who usually wears moon boots with neon laces.
Since then, Merrell has become my go-to. I even convinced our most stubborn team member, Greg—who used to swear by some minimalist barefoot brand that looked like toe socks mated with rubber tires—to make the switch. After his first trek in Merrells, he muttered, “Okay, I get it now,” and has never looked back. We call that a Merrell miracle.
So whether you’re summiting peaks, leading a group of overzealous beginners up switchbacks, or just want to keep your toes intact during surprise thunderstorms, these shoes deliver. Reliable, rugged, and surprisingly good-looking, they’ve earned their place in my gear pile—and in my heart.
If you’re curious (and I know you are), check out merrell hiking shoes canada. Just don’t be surprised if your old boots mysteriously “go missing” after one hike in these.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a date with a crag and a pair of Merrells that are itching for altitude.