Merrell Nova 4 Trail Shoe - Men's

Too Narrow and Waterproof Materials Sounds Like a Unwrapping a Candy with Each Step. Returned

This shoe is flexible and comfortable. Hard to believe its actually waterproof.

It’s like they fixed the collapsing heel issue that the Nova 2’s and made the perfect shoe with the Nova 3’s, and then thought it would be good to ruin them again and bring back the heel issue for the 4’s. Why??? I had 3 pairs of 3s and loved them, and my 4s didnt even make a whole summer hiking season before the left heel wore down so much they’re unusable unless I want to be unbalanced and get weird soreness and pain from hiking/running like that. So disappointing and I will probably look at Altra or something else for my next pair.

This is my second pair of Merrell Nova waterproof. I had the Nova 2 before, and even though they felt a bit snug they were still the most comfortable shoes I had ever owned. This time I decided to go a half-size larger, and they're perfect--snug and roomy in all the right places. I am a picky, picky shoe guy, and Merrell just knows my feet!

Bought shoes a half size larger and still ended up with swollen and soar toes. My toes are so tender it hurts to walk almost a week after the 50k.

The shoes started out great, were definitely waterproof and fit well. However, after 2 total days of wearing them, the rubber at the toe tip began to separate. By the end of the second day it allowed water to get inside and became difficult to use in a rainy setting.

Very comfortable shoe, and pretty breathable for a waterproof shoe. Haven't worn them in really wet conditions yet, so I cannot evaluate how waterproof the shoe is.

These Nova 4s (waterproof version) are my 10th or 12th pair of Merrell shoes that I’ve worn during the past decade or more. I have been a big fan of the Trail Glove series and its “barefoot” design; however, I recently opted to try out the Nova 3 (waterproof) when they were on sale. I walk about 2-3 miles/day here in Ohio where it often rains, so having a waterproof shoe is a must. I really liked the Nova 3 with its reliable Gore-Tex lining and ample cushioning. So, when the soles wore down on my 3s, I was eager to upgrade to the 4s. I’ve been wearing the 4s for several weeks now. They were comfy right out of the box, they were broken-in in no time. They are rugged, lightweight, and well-constructed. Many reviews have mentioned the “crinkling” sound of the waterproof layer. This was not an issue with my pair, although there is a sound that is more of a soft whisper. Not off-putting or annoying at all. The layer is not Gore-Tex, so I assume it is something closer to the Neoprene material that wetsuits are made from. This brings me to the only slightly-negative aspect of the shoe (and why I didn’t give a full 5-star review): Whatever material comprises the waterproof layer, it makes my feet sweat considerably more than the Gore-Tex in the 3s. At the end of the day, when I remove the 4s, my socks have several damp spots (even on dry days) — definitely not as “breathable” as the 3s with Gore-Tex. As a result, I remove the insole each night and let everything air out for the next day. All things being equal, I’m very satisfied with the 4s. They are stylish, comfy, versatile, true to size, and likely to last until the next generation comes around — a very solid shoe. I recommend.