Nova 4 Waterproof

I’ve owned Moab 3 low and now hike in Moab Mids Ventilators (non-waterproof). I’ve also owned Peregrines in the past and currently have a pair of Merrell Nova 4 waterproof trail runners. I too have had a really bad sprain in the past. I prefer to hike in boots now to prevent this. Given the choice I will hike in boots. When I’m home I hike in boots. When I travel by car I hike in boots. When I travel light by plane I take my trail runners as they are easier to wear on the plane and just look like normal shoes. If I’m checking a bag traveling and plan to hike I’ll bring the boots. Definitely non-waterproof for those locations done them all. Another big benefit of boots is avoiding getting rocks, pebbles, sand in them vs low cut shoes.

I don’t think waterproof (preventing water in) hiking shoes are good unless you will encounter snow, cold water, or cold rain as they take a long time to dry if water gets in and they are hot. I prefer to hike in ventilated boots for majority of my hiking. Lastly, water shoes (meant to get wet, dry fast, submerged, and drain water fast) differ from waterproof shoes and are good option in the summer. My shoes: Hiking boots- Merrell Moab 3 Ventilator mid boots Hiking trail runners waterproof- Merrell Nova 4 waterproof Water Closed Toe Sandals- Keen Hyperport H2

The Hyperport is lighter and more cushioned with more bounce to the step. It also has a different heel back which I like the comfort of. The Newport if I had to guess is probably more durable. Also, since the back is just a strap and more open it may allow you to empty rocks and such out easier. I have sensitive feet and tend to wear max cushion type shoes my everyday shoes being Brooks Ghost Max 2, so naturally I liked the Hyperport better.

Black waterproof trail runners. I have Merrel Nova 4 waterproof in all black that I like a lot they have a high stack and very cushioned, I get steep discounts on Merrel being retired military. I only wear waterproof if it’s cold+wet like my trip to Alaska. Otherwise, I’m a Brooks and Saucony fan on running and trail running shoes. Salomon probably makes the best aggressively tread and feature trail runners. My wife loves her Altra LonePeak waterproof and are great if you have wider forefoot and don’t mind zero drop shoes. Just know it’s probably impossible to get a do everything shoe, although a trail runner comes close. A Waterproof shoes is going to be terrible for watersports and differs from a Water-shoe which is designed to be fully submerged and shed water, and also not good for hot+wet I’d rather not have WP in that environment and rather have a water-shoe or sandal. Also, some trail runners are better designed for snow and ice but give up everyday road running.

That goes for cities too. I took a waterproof Nova, a black pair to Lisbon during Christmas and they started to stink. Imagine having to ask the shoe cobbler for something to kill the stench. I gestured by holding my nice close and acted if I wanted to barf as I pointed to my feet. They laughed and gave me a spray that did kill the stench. From that point on it was black and breathable for me. Lately I've worn Adidas Free hikers to Peru, high tops. Fantastic experience. Went up mountains and walked the Amazon in them. Then wore low tops Free hikers to Jordan Egypt and Asian capitals this summer. They did great, I have flat feet and felt good after 25k steps daily. The only problem was that in Deserts where sand would get in between the lining of the shoe. It would then bunch up in my big toe area and making it annoying. So I'm interested in the recos for black shoes that do everything as well

I never had that problem with waterproof Merrell Nova trail runners. I used them in Spain and Italy in the late Spring and Florida year round.

All black Merrell Nova. They might look a little goofy in the website pics, but they look fine in person. I wore the Nova 3’s year round in Florida and in Spain and Italy in late Spring with no problems. Very light and comfortable, good for cities and trails. I didn’t have any issues with overheating or abnormally sweaty feet.

Merrells a brand that is slept on but I've had great experiences in them. I just ran a 100 miler in their Nova 4 that I got for $70 and I couldn't be happier with how they performed. It's no Topo or Altra toe box but being a lover of an Altra toe box, these were generous enough to keep me happy and blister free for over 20 hours.

By the sounds of it you don't need a trail shoe at all. I'd take a road shoe into that one personally. Not a Hoka guy but putting another good hybrid shoe on the table that I just ran 100 miles in, the Merrell Nova 4. Good grip but not clunky on the road, firm midsole that feels good over long miles, generous fit to accommodate swelling.

001s are worth it if you can find them for $150 (I got mine for $100). I was able to stack over 500 miles on them before I retired them to be my golf shoes. I went a full size up and the fit was ok. Not overly spacious but accommodating. They also run very warm but made for a great winter running shoe since they don't let water in (or out). A very boring and firm shoe that just kept going. 005s not worth it. They are light and the upper is more generous than the 001 but the lace bite through the tongue is miserable and the heel cup jabbed into my achilles like a dagger. The midsole was smoked after about 200 miles for me. I'm not big by any means at 5'9" and 170lbs, so the midsole flattening this early left me pretty disappointed. I only got 260 out of them before tossing them in the trash. I logged 100 training miles in them before running a full 100 miler in them. After those 200 miles I tried logging runs as little as 5 miles and rock hits were piercing through the shoe and my feet would kill me afterwards. So it's hard for me to recommend or justify them at their insane price tag of $325. For half the cost, the Mount to Coast H1 seems like a superior buy in almost every aspect. Heck I ran my latest 100 miler in a pair of cheap ($80) Merrell Nova 4s and they were an excellent shoe. A brand that gets slept on in the trail running space.

While it's more of a trail shoe the Merrell Nova 4 worked great for me at my 100 miler last weekend. I came from running my trail 100s in the Altra Olympus series. The merrells weren't as spacious but were surprisingly more generous than expected and I had no blisters after. Cushioning was firm but supportive over the long haul. I don't have them (yet) but will likely end up trying the Mount to Coast H1 that comes out soon. Sounds like the toe box is very accommodating with ample cushioning and a nice road to trail outsole.

Both are great. TG is more technical and a tighter shoe. The nova is comfier and works well on roads too

Merrell Nova 4 and New Balance Nitrel V6 are both 4E wide. If you go with either of those, or another soft woven mesh trail runner, do yourself a favor and extend their life by getting some Shoe Goo that you can coat a thin layer over the fabric on inside of your feet where the base of your big toe is. This will prevent the soft mesh fabric from ripping due to abrasions cause by having wide feet. I've started doing this pre-emptively and it's helped extend the shoe's lifespan significantly compared to previously not doing anything. Signed, a Rocksylvanian.

Would be worth a trip to your local REI or outdoor store and try several on. Shoes are a very personal fit and preference. That’s why there are different drops and toe box’s and widths. Most of us have brands we prefer of course but don’t mean it will be good for you. I happen to have those Solomon’s and they are a nice shoe but also love my Merrells as well.