Merrell and Vasque are two notable contenders in the competition of the top hiking shoe brands. Both companies are excellent at producing high-quality shoes that provide practicality.
By offering a variety of styles, these two brands have benefitted millions of outdoor enthusiasts all over the world, regardless of their requirements.
Many people often question which brand provides the best value for the money, so in this blog post, we will see the major differences between these brands and find out which of the two options would be most beneficial to you.
Comparison Table Between Vasque And Merrel:
| Vasque | Merrell |
|---|---|
| Founded in 1964 | Founded in 1981 |
| Hiking, Winter Boots, Casual Styles, Waterproof options | Hiking, Trail Running, Slip Ons, Sneakers, Boots, Shoes, Sandals |
| Initially Stiff and Rigid | Comfortable |
| Some Models Feel Heavy | Lightweight |
| Less Breathable | More Breathable |
| Runs Narrow | Wider fit |
| Less Flexible | More Flexible |
| Long Break-in period | Little to no break-in time |
| Durable | More Durable |
Overview of Vasque:
Since its inception, the footwear brand Vasque has been commonly associated with outdoor activities. The brand believes that whether it’s a day visit in the backcountry hiking or a stroll around the park, we can all benefit from some time spent in nature. Therefore, they are proud of how Vasque has evolved and contributed to the enjoyment of outdoor activities by offering the highest quality footwear.
In addition, Vasque is a well-known subsidiary of the Red Wing Shoe Company, its history dates back to 1964, when the company’s founder, W.D. Sweasy, traveled to Europe and observed a hiking craze overwhelming the continent.
When he returned to the United States, he was determined to make practical hiking boots to get more Americans to enjoy the outdoors.
Since then, their boots and shoes are designed alongside professional hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts to make outdoor experiences more pleasant, as the brand is obsessed with the comfort, durability, and performance of their footwear.
Moreover, from their extensive shoe collection their best seller, the Breeze has become one of the best mid-duty hiking boots globally.
Vasque separated from the Red Wing brand and become an independent company in 1997. Today, the brand offers footwear for walking, hiking, backpacking, and long outdoor trips.
Overview of Merrell:
Merrell is a footwear and apparel company founded in 1981 by Clark Matis, John Schweizer, and Randy Merrell. John and Clark have considerable background in outdoor travel gave them a boost in building a successful company, Randy, on the other hand, had the appropriate shoemaking skills.
The main goal of this friendly and cooperative partnership was to design, manufacture, and market high-quality outdoor shoes and boots without sacrificing the wearer’s comfort or productivity.
There’s a lot to like about all of the phenomenal Merrell shoes, and their best-selling Merrell Moab 2 Waterproof Shoes are durable, provide great grip, and feel very comfortable on most types of trails.
Due to their exceptional footwear brand got worldwide appreciation and millions of nature enthusiasts all around the world still consider Merrell a top-tier shoe company.
Despite the brand’s success, Randy Merrell preferred to sell his share of the company a few years later, and in 1997 it became a part of the Wolverine World Wide label.
Presently, Merrell’s footwear is still crafted from superior materials, exactly as it was in the 1980s, however, the brand now designs and sells a variety of other products.
Merrell has always a strong commitment to quality and safety in its manufacturing processes, has believe in the shoes they manufacture, and aims to inspire and encourage its customers by providing them with reliable footwear.
Major Differences between the Brands:
I will now examine their features side by side to determine who is preferable to the other. Without further ado, here’s our breakdown of Vasque and Merrell.
1) Comfort:
Vasque shoes have a lot of the features we look for in good hiking boots, but they aren’t the most comfortable and don’t feel as flexible as designs inspired by trail runners.
Their shoes are pretty stiff right out of the box, and they take a long time to break in, but once they’re broken in, they’re easy to wear, and the leather top molds to the feet.
In addition, the midsole of these shoes is a true highlight in terms of comfort, with a fantastic combination of cushioning from the EVA foam, and sufficient support for technical terrain. Also, the extra padding around the ankles and the interior of these shoes is soft which enhanced the overall comfort.
On the other hand, Merrell hiking boots are the best out there if you’re looking for something that will keep your feet feeling relaxed while you’re out in nature.
Their shoes are constructed of waterproofing leather and mesh, with streamlined upper overlays, air cushions, protective padding, nylon arch shanks, and lace closures that contribute to the wearer’s comfort.
The most important factor that makes their hiking boots extremely comfortable is their lightweight. Since your feet absorb the majority of the impact during a hike, shedding a few pounds from your hiking boots will allow you to hike more quickly and for longer distances.
Ultimately, the company’s dedication to giving comfort and support exactly where it’s needed is exemplified by the “M Select cushioned KinteicFit footbeds” of Merrell shoes.
2) Popularity:
Merrell is the global leader in footwear for outdoor activities and was named “Brand of the Year” at the Footwear News Achievement Awards, and many of its products got prestigious rewards. In addition to Hypebeast, and Travel + Leisure, this brand has been featured in Forbes and other well-known publications.
Conversely, Vasque hiking shoes are commonly known as “serious” boots for all kinds of outdoor activities, which have been most popular among people spending long hours in extreme weather. Also, North American hikers well-liked these shoes for their plain designs and functional utility.
3) Target Market:
Merrell makes shoes for anyone who likes to enjoy the great outdoors. The brand doesn’t necessarily cater to a certain age group, but it has offerings for everyone in the active community.
On the other hand, Vasque shoes are intended for urban dwellers mostly people who participate in outdoor recreation activities.
4) Price:
Vasque shoe prices range from $140 to $220, whereas Merrell shoes will charge you $50 and can go up to $200 for each pair in both men’s and women’s categories. These boots are durable and protective, thus people considered the cost to be justified.
5) Design:
Vasque footwear follows the leading trend in outdoor gear by being made from as many sustainable and recyclable materials as possible. The nubuck leather upper, finely woven mesh cutouts, and rubber outsole in most of their hiking boots are of high quality, and they have held up flawlessly and show no signs of wear after considerable usage.
Their footwear has a secure fit and provides plenty of underfoot protection from rocky paths. In addition, the midsole is solid but offers decent isolation underfoot, which is especially appreciated during a backpacking trip.
Using groundbreaking composite material, the brand developed RPM technology to drastically reduce the weight of the boot without sacrificing durability.
So, whether you require a pair of lace-up or pull-on boots, a pair of traditional leather hiking boots, or something in between, Vasque has you covered.
Conversely, the brand Merrell has been making shoes for many decades and never disappoints its buyers in terms of quality. Its shoes are designed to resist the rigors of the trail and the abrasion that comes with it by the use of natural and synthetic materials.
Furthermore, The Vibram rubber outsoles of these shoes not only provide excellent balance and traction but also guarantee that your experience of hiking and other outdoor activities will be enjoyable.
Most Merrell footwear is entirely waterproof, with ample ventilation to ensure rapid evaporation of any moisture. So, if you’re looking for shoes suitable for hiking, trail running, or backpacking while carrying loads on a wide range of trails, Merrell is for you.
Conclusion:
Hikers should consider all the features of both brands to make sure which fits their feet and matches their hiking style. The shoes of both companies have distinct features that are designed to serve different purposes.
When it comes to mid-weight hiking and backpacking footwear, Vasque is a trustworthy option, but their hiking boots are heavier than those of certain other brands due to the material used in them for weather protection.
Meanwhile, Merrell shoes, are preferable for outdoor activities like camping and hiking due to their lower weight and superior comfort in both wet and dry conditions.
In the end, everything boils down to individual preferences and requirements, although superior quality speaks for itself.
