Verdict from 6 experts and 100+ user reviews
7 reasons to buy
- The Merrell Choprock hiking shoe has left numerous users in amazement with its ridiculous lightness.
- Its performance in and around water has impressed many an owner greatly.
- This astonishing hike-centric footgear from Merrell received praise from several reviewers for having insane amounts of comfort.
- Many patrons found the Choprock superbly quick drying.
- Some customers have fallen in love with the shoe’s sticky outsole.
- Based on a number of Merrell Choprock reviews, this quality hiking shoe runs true to size.
- The Choprock’s incredible breathability has floored about a handful of die-hard hikers.
2 reasons not to buy
- This Merrell offering disappoints a few wearers with its inability to wall off intrusive debris. They pinned this issue on the shoe’s mesh panels.
- One customer is not too pleased with the hiker’s could-be-thicker sole.
Bottom line
Outdoor enthusiasts who are desperate to own an astronomically lightweight trail shoe may find one in the Merrell Choprock. They may also discover a richly comfortable footgear in this amazingly fast-drying hiking piece.
That said, this water-friendly offering may not be “the one” for those who detest even the slightest presence of debris in their footwear. Nonetheless, the Choprock has enough tricks up its sleeve to make believers out of the most skeptical of hikers.
Tip: see the best hiking shoes.
Good to know
- The Choprock from Merrell is a shoe equipped with features designed to aid adventurers in their watery escapades. It has an integrated toe guard to give users a sense of confidence while traversing trails filled with bumpy hazards.
- Its ability to shed wet elements is a collaborative effort between the hiker’s mesh upper and Hydramorph midsole. The latter, which is a Merrell-exclusive component, works hand in hand with the footgear’s perforated stock insole and Vibram outsole in expelling water from underfoot.
- Part of its arsenal is its rockered heel and toe zones. This kind of sole construction capacitates outdoorsy men and women to negotiate flat surfaces with a rocking effect, thus making such encounters more convenient and efficient.
The Merrell Choprock men and women's is a fairly true-to-size, low-cut water hiking shoe. Owners may adjust its fit for a secure and personalized lockdown with the help of the shoe’s lace-up closure.
The Merrell Choprock water hiking shoe is furnished with a Vibram outsole to give wearers the amount of traction and slip resistance that they need on a variety of backcountry surfaces. Its 5-mm deep lugs are multi-sided, which translates to a kind of surface grip that occurs practically in every direction. The ridges at its rear zone, on the other hand, provide adequate latching power on extra challenging descents.
This water-ready hiker cushions the foot and gives users sufficient ground balance with its compression-molded midsole made of EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate). It is engineered with Hydramorph, granting its key parts channels (holes) through which wet substances may escape. Merrell designers paired it with a removable insole called Kinetic Fit for additional underfoot comfort and support. This footbed also helps the midsole improve its fluid-channeling capability.
Making up the Choprock’s below-the-ankle upper is a combination of synthetic textile and mesh fabric. It comes engineered at the heel with Hyperlock—a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) overlay that strengthens the rear region of the footgear for enhanced heel support. The shoe’s front end, on the other hand, has an integrated toe bumper made of rubber.
Its ghillie lacing is comprised of webbing loops and a synthetic lace. To help owners get in and out of the Choprock with relative ease, Merrell gave the hiker not one but two pull tabs.
Aside from hiking boots, Merrell is known for its line of water shoes and sandals. Another sought-after model is the Waterpro Maipo 2. Below are what makes these two distinct from one another.
Price. If you're looking for a cheaper water shoe from Merrell, the Waterpro Maipo 2 is a great choice. At a price less than a hundred dollars, it's among the most budget-friendly water shoes in the market today.
Design and fit. Both the Choprock and the Waterpro Maipo 2 feature synthetic and mesh uppers that are quick-drying and highly breathable. However, the Maipo features a webbing lacing with straps around the midfoot and ankle, allowing a secure fit that can be adjusted whenever needed. The Choprock features a ghillie lacing system that makes wearing or taking off the shoe easy. It also has two pull tabs (one on the tongue and another at the back) whereas the Maipo has only one.
Traction. Compared to the Maipo that has 3mm-deep lugs, the Choprock water shoe is more aggressive as it features 5mm-deep lugs which means it offers more grip and traction. This makes it highly suitable for challenging terrain, particularly soft soil, wet grass, and muddy trails.
-Filipino actor James Reid endorses the Choprock as part of Merrell’s Let’s Getaway campaign.
-Aside from water shoes, the Merrell Choprock hiking sandals are also available. Customers can choose between an open-toe (strapped) or a closed-toe sandal. All these water footwear feature quick-drying uppers and grippy Vibram outsoles.
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