Men’s Merrell Thermo Chill Mid Boot Review

Bottom Line

The Merrell Thermo Chill Mid is a lightweight and versatile winter hiking boot sure to please winter hikers and recreators with its excellent warmth and traction. Using these boots in Alaska’s Chugach Range, we were immediately struck by their high level of performance at a price point that won’t break the bank. The Merrell Thermo Chill Mid beat out other winter hiking boots we tested in various metrics while still coming in at an attainable price point.

The boots are supportive and comfortable, and we were never plagued by any uncomfortable feelings through the footbed. This boot has a slightly narrower fit, so those with wide feet may find this boot a little narrower than others in our lineup. The traction in these boots is top-notch, and with a stiff sole, kicking steps allows the user to climb on steep and snowy slopes.

We loved using these boots on a variety of winter trails, including steep and icy mountain hikes and strolls on neighborhood trails. Paired with winter socks, these boots are warm, comfortable, weather-resistant, and ready for the long haul.

Comfort

The Merrell Thermo Child Mid was comfortable right out of the box as we headed up into the alpine of Alaska’s Chugach range. It required little to no break in time. The footbed is supportive and stiff while still being comfortable enough to wear for multiple hours.

With two levels of hooks up the shaft, the Thermo Chill Mids can cinch snugly to the ankle, providing great ankle support. Walking on uneven and slippery trails felt solid and supported while wearing these boots. The only feelings of discomfort came from the hooks on the boots while tightened. The shaft has minimal padding. Although that makes the boot light, it also means the metal rivets of the hooks have dug into our ankles at times. This is fixed with either a thicker sock or loosening up the boot.

Warmth

On a single-digit day in Alaska, we took these boots on a hike with trepidation- at first feeling concerned that they wouldn’t keep our feet warm. But those fears were quickly diminished as the Thermo Chills were plenty warm and provided top-notch insulation for an active outing. With 200g of insulation, we found these boots to be plenty comfortable for most winter temperatures we encountered.

These boots are warmest when used during activities with moderate to high levels of energy output. They lack the heavy-duty warmth of other boots that tested well for more stationary time spent out in the cold. The Thermo Mid Chills work best with a winter-weight sock for both cushioning and added warmth.

Traction

As we tested these boots on steep mountain trails, we were quickly thankful for their high level of traction. A stiff sole with sharp-edged lugs gave us confidence in our footing when kicking steps into steep packed snow and ice. The lug profile on these boots has an interesting pattern of rearward-facing chevrons on the midfoot and toe with a forward-facing chevron pattern through the heel and back half of the boot. 

Combined with ample negative space in the tread pattern, we loved the level of traction provided by these boots. We used these Thermo Chills to climb through steep, ice-covered trails through the forest and into the alpine and never felt the need to take our traction devices out of our backpacks. For a boot that inspires confidence in every step, look no further than the Thermo Chill Mid.

Weather Resistance

Once again, the Merrell Thermo Chill Mid punches above its weight in weather-resistant performance. With a durable rubber material, the foot of these boots is strongly weather resistant, and we were never wet while using them even in deep snow. This quickly decreased up the shaft of the boot, however. The rubber material diminishes up the shaft, and we thought this to be a potential point of weakness. However, during our tests, we found that snow never penetrated the material of the boot, and were happy with its performance. 

With a relatively low shaft height, deep snow has the biggest impact on these boots’ ability to keep out moisture. The double layer of hooks on the shaft helped keep the opening of the boot tight and secure around the ankle, but some snow was still able to enter. We were surprised that these boots come with gaiter attachment points, a great touch to fully weatherproof them.

Durability

We were initially hesitant that the Merrell Thermo Child Mid would be one of the least durable choices in our lineup since it’s also one of the cheapest. So far, that has not been the case. The soles have held up to scrapes and abrasions against rocks, and all features of the boots are still functioning as when we first wore them.

That being said, it is evident that the low price of this boot came with some concessions in design that could lead to durability issues down the road. There is no articulation through the flex point of the boot, which creates stress on the seams due to awkward bending in the toe. The webbing eyelets are much thicker than other lightweight boots we tested, and we are impressed with their ability to withstand tension. So far, the Thermo Chill Mids show no sign of slowing down.

Should You Buy the Merrell Thermo Chill Mid?

If you’re someone trying to maximize your dollar, then the Merrell Thermo Chill Mid is what you’ve been looking for. One of the cheapest boots we tested, they still hold up well and are designed with performance in mind. A stiff sole with an aggressive tread pattern provides excellent traction on a variety of winter surfaces. Warmest at moderate to high output activities, these boots may not be warm enough for the coldest winter days or stationary activities. Even though they held up during our tests, the lack of articulation in the boot leaves us wondering about the long-term durability of the material. Regardless, this boot provides some of the best value of any we tested and performs much higher than its price tag would suggest.

What Other Men’s Winter Boots Should You Consider?

Our Men’s Winter Hiking Boot Guide has several great options tested and reviewed by our Alaska-based gear analyst.

KEEN Revel IV Polar Review – With a taller shaft height and stronger weather resistance, the Revel IV Polar provides enhanced winter protection while still being lightweight enough for long days on the trail.

Merrell Nova 3 Thermo Review – Another offering from Merrell, the Nova 3 Thermo provides great comfort and traction similar to the Thermo Chill Mid, but it does not provide the same level of weather resistance.

Salomon X Ultra Snowpilot Review – If having a light boot is your number one consideration, the X Ultra Snowpilot nudges out the Thermo Chill Mid to be one of the lightest winter boots we tested.