bone_naga
Explorer
Just got my new boots in, the Merrell Proterra. I went for the low style (they have a mid-boot style, but in addition to costing more I just don't find that style to be as comfortable) with the gore-tex lining.
Merrell markets the Proterra as a minimalist boot, something that is rather painfully hard to find. Unfortunately, it really isn't. It's more like a really good hiking shoe than a minimalist anything.
It has a 4mm heel to toe drop. I really prefer 0mm but 4mm isn't too bad. It's noticeable but I don't think it will cause a lot of pain like some of my other boots have. The sole is flexible compared to most hiking boots, but again that just puts it at about the realm of a normal running shoe rather than a true minimalist shoe. I doubt I will get much ground feel through this.
Still, it's better than most of the options out there. I wanted something that still had some sole on it to provide some cushion when I'm carrying a lot of weight.
The mesh upper is pretty breathable, much more so than my other gore-tex boots. I wonder how warm they'll be in cooler weather, though. I'm also interested to see how they hold up in wet weather since the gore-tex is only an inner lining, which means the outside could still get thoroughly soaked.
I think some of the heel height is coming from the insole, so today I am experimenting by removing it and see if it provides any improvement for me.
I was also hoping it would come in a wide size, but it does not so I had to just order 1/2 size up. With most minimalist shoes, my fat feet aren't really a problem since they tend to be roomier and stretch a bit to accommodate my feet. Again, these are not true minimalist boots. However, the 1/2 size up seems to be working pretty well.
Merrell markets the Proterra as a minimalist boot, something that is rather painfully hard to find. Unfortunately, it really isn't. It's more like a really good hiking shoe than a minimalist anything.
It has a 4mm heel to toe drop. I really prefer 0mm but 4mm isn't too bad. It's noticeable but I don't think it will cause a lot of pain like some of my other boots have. The sole is flexible compared to most hiking boots, but again that just puts it at about the realm of a normal running shoe rather than a true minimalist shoe. I doubt I will get much ground feel through this.
Still, it's better than most of the options out there. I wanted something that still had some sole on it to provide some cushion when I'm carrying a lot of weight.
The mesh upper is pretty breathable, much more so than my other gore-tex boots. I wonder how warm they'll be in cooler weather, though. I'm also interested to see how they hold up in wet weather since the gore-tex is only an inner lining, which means the outside could still get thoroughly soaked.
I think some of the heel height is coming from the insole, so today I am experimenting by removing it and see if it provides any improvement for me.
I was also hoping it would come in a wide size, but it does not so I had to just order 1/2 size up. With most minimalist shoes, my fat feet aren't really a problem since they tend to be roomier and stretch a bit to accommodate my feet. Again, these are not true minimalist boots. However, the 1/2 size up seems to be working pretty well.
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