Merrell All Out Blaze Aero Sport

Editor rating: 8.9 / 10

User's rating: based on 7 user ratings

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By Stephanie D'Adamo

All Merrell Shoes

Merrell All Out Blaze Aero Sport Review Facts

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Since their foundation in 1981, Merrell has been relentlessly focused on producing “the best hiking boots ever made”. In fact, even their first pair of shoes was hailed by Backpacker Magazine as “the most comfortable and functional boots in North America”. Today, Merrell retains those same values that inspired their iconic blue-laced boot in 1983: Comfort, design, durability, and versatility.

The new Merrell All Out Blaze Aero Sport is no exception. With its lightweight, all-terrain design this breathable trail shoe is surprisingly well-rounded. From bustling restaurants to switchback trails and riverbeds, the Blaze Aero Sport is designed to keep feet dry and comfortable no matter where you go. In fact, because of its unique ability to rapidly shed water, this Merrell shoe is often highly praised by paddleboarders and is often marketed as a dual hiking and water shoe. For Merrell fans looking for a great shoe to wear to work or on wet, unpredictable trails the All Out Blaze Aero Sport could end up being their next go-to barefoot shoe.

Editor's Pros & Cons

Pros

Lightweight
Good traction on loose terrain
Breathable
Water-resistant (dries in 24 hours)

Cons

Supportive, snug feeling in upper some dislike
No specialty arch support

See How

What are buyers saying?

We have spent 4 hours analyzing a total of 900 reviews.

These reviews are then categoried into "Positive" and "Negative" feedback.

Below you will read a summary of them:

Positive

These kept my feet pain free after many mils. They were great in the river and let the water out without letting sand and pebbles in. They clung great to the rocks and didn't make me feel insecure at all.
These have phenomenal grip and arch support. I wore them to the gym to just break them in before taking them out. They are now my lifting shoes. They are so good They have great toe space and are priced good.
These are my first Merrell’s and not my last. These shoes are fantastic. They are working great pounding the concrete all day at work. I have no pain. They are the best in comfort I have ever bought.
These shoes fit me perfect and supported my feet all day with no pain. They are really light and very airy. I want one for the winter but the waterproof ones were too tight in the toes. These are my summer runners and hikers and I love them. They do tend to get dirt in the fairly easy due to the meshy material. It is a little annoying.
These shoes got me through the flooding trails of the Escalante River in Utah. They dried really well and after 40 miles had no signs of wear. They were surprisingly comfortable. They have a sewn in tongue due to them being a water shoe. It helped prevent extra debris from getting into the shoe that the mesh would let in a bit. I really enjoyed these and am very happy with my purchase.
I wore these for three day at 10 hours a day right out of the box and no pain. I use them for everything now: yard work, the gym, running errands. They got muddy one day when we went camping and they washed right off with the hose, no problem. They do not hold water smell either, which is great.
I love that Marrell has a larger toe box than most brands, I tend to stick to them. These are my 3rd Blaze model and I am in love. They are super lightweight and dry fairly quick. The color was a bit off from what I thought they would be but no matter, they got sandy within 2 days and are gray now.
I use these for work and hiking. They are so roomy and don't move around. I added extra adding because my feet are needy. The shoe is really great though. My feet are super wide and I had no issues with my bunions.
They are very durable, yet light and cushy. They have a sexy price tag too for the quality. I am a happy customer.
I have gigantic and wide feet and these accommodate that nicely with still room to spare in the toe box. I didn't have to break them in. They ar the top 3 for me in the most comfortable category. They are well ventilated and have wonderful grip.
Merrell is my favorite brand and these shoes have proven so again. They are the most comfortable I have owned and they are very duriale. I am pleased and think they are really more than worth the money.
I had to add soles because the padding was lacking. These had great support for my bunion ridden flat feet. I didn’t have to use my orthotics with them, which is nice. I use them for work and my feet are not screaming at me at the end of the day, which is nice. The mesh on these keep my feet nice and cool too.
Lots of toe space and the width is spot on. I like the coolness of the mesh material. They are not bulky ye are really cushioned and supportive. The arch support is a bit less than I need and why did they discontinue so fast?
I bit snug, had to go up a half size. They breath well and are comfortable Thee are my lightweight travel buddies I take them everywhere because I know they are going to take care of my feet. Feel nice and cool in the heat too.
No blisters out of the box. Went hiking and they feel like they were made for my feet. I am dumbfounded that these are so damn good! I will be getting another pair ASAP.
They lacked a bit in durability, only had thema couple months and they are beat up. They are comfortable though and I wear them for everything. They are great running and trailing. I cannot find anything else negative about them. Great shoes.
Thee fit to size an are more than comfortable. I love the shoe.
I have sensitive feet and they do not like many styles of shoes. They are blister havens. These made me worry where they rubbed in the arches they are fitting nice though and had ample toe box room. I wore these to break them in before taking them to the river and absolutely no blisters. YAY! They have so much wind breezing through them and I am in love with these. I got one tiny blister on my big toe but mole skinned it up and they are magic.exceptionally comfortable.
The sole is stiffer than I expected, yet they are soft and cushy. They have a lot of support and fit well with the wide toe box. Great shoe Merrell. I will buy these again.
My go to hiking shoe. They are a perfect fit and feel great without socks. They are lightweight for the river, trudging through the water. The tread has grip for days and keeps me stable hiking This is a great shoe for any outdoor activity, for sure.
I have had these for a year and they are still like new. They come a little clunky looking but the comfort and durability are spot on.
Thee dried overnight after a day of hiking up the river. They were completely dry. They have awesome traction and worked great in the Rockies. They are so light and really comfy. I recommend this shoe to any outdoorsy people.
These are really light for a trail runner but they have more than enough support. They are breathable and see through-ish. They have a really good grip and work well in the water. They have a really roomy and nice to box. And are vegan. They also look great. The upper part was a bit low and my heel slipped a bit. Might need a bit smaller size to help with that. Otherwise, great shoe as always from Merrell.
These were better than my hiking boots on the trails in th tracktion department. I was impressed. These took about 4 hours to dry after river walking. They are over the top in comfort too, no issues at all with these.
These fit me true to size. These are really stable on the rocky surfaces on my local hiking trails They have really good comfort and I did not get any hot pots or blisters from breaking in. I have no negatives with these shoes.

Negative

I wasn't aware that these were water type shoes when I bought them. They let sand and water in like crazy and they were not great for my city walks. Guess these are not made for any of my outings.
The arches seem set back a bit t far and it gave me a lot of pain. They also really have an awful smell to them.
I have high arches and these did not suffice. They were tight in the toes too and I do not have wide feet. They just did not work for me.
After a use on the trails, I am blistered up and full of arch pain. They were stiff and really hard to wear. I tried breaking them in but it wasn’t working. I am more than disappointed.
I tried wearing these a few times on my hiking trip and they gave me ankle blisters every time, so uncomfortable. They stayed wet the whole time. After drying they started separating in th soles. They are a poor made hiking shoe in my opinion.

9.0

Outsole

Several components of the Merrell All Out Blaze Aero Sport mimic features found in the Merrell All Out Peak including a high-quality Vibram TC5+ outsole. This partnership between brands is a match made in heaven for hikers and off-trail runners who are looking for a "barefoot", or more natural, running experience. In fact, Vibram's design team were the creators of the widely popularized Fivefingers running shoes. However, the Merrell All Out Blaze Aero Sport also has uniquely hollowed lugs for lightness. With a lug depth of 5mm, the Aero Sport line is not overly aggressive or rigid. This feature makes them grippy enough for the trail while remaining comfortable even on indoor surfaces. Lastly, Merrell's proprietary M Select gripping technology features sticky, angled lugs for crossing a wide variety of terrain without debris attaching to the outsole of your shoe or hindering your trek.

Midsole

Merrell's All Out Blaze Aero Sport also features a shock-absorbent UniFly midsole topped with an antimicrobial M Select FRESH lining. The M Select lining serves to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus in your shoes (and on your feet) as your feet sweat or come into contact with liquids. This means if you happen to forget to dry out your shoes, or if you go on an extensive paddleboarding adventure, you won't end up with a musty, moldy-smelling pair of shoes. Plus, this FRESH lining is completely removable and replaceable offering you yet another degree of hygiene and protection against fungal infection. Merrell's unique UniFly midsole is made of cushiony yet durable EVA foam that's about 30 percent more lightweight than the Merrell barefoot line. The midsole runs the length of the shoe for maximum shock absorption. Firmer foam pods in the heel and forefoot also allow for firm takeoffs even on wet or unstable surfaces.

Upper

Suitable for both avoiding underbrush and food service spills, the bellows tongue on this Merrell shoe helps keep out debris. As mentioned above, the All Out Blaze line also features a full coverage mesh upper that allows for surprisingly rapid water drainage. In addition, this line boasts a "glove-like fit" from their Omni-Fit™ lacing System. In online reviews wearers heartily agree that this shoe stays molded to your feet even while underwater and without socks. Plus, the molded TPU heel counter increases the wearer's stability.

Weight

Thanks to its UniFly midsole and 5mm hollowed lugs, the Merrell All Out Blaze Sport is a cushioned, yet highly lightweight shoe weighing in around 22oz. That's nearly half the weight of some other comparable full coverage trail shoes! As far as overall feel goes, many wearers report the All Out Blaze to be one of the lightest shoes on the market.

Brethability

Merrell's shoes are known for their breathability. The upper of the All Out Blaze Aero Sport is made of a durable, synthetic, lightweight mesh that allows air to circulate your feet freely. Wearers report being able to walk for long periods of time in urban settings (3 to 8 hours) without experiencing damp socks or sweaty feet. And again, the All Out Blaze Aero Sport line is also designed to rapidly shed water when crossing streams or paddleboarding.

Comfort

This Merrell shoe is surprisingly comfortable for a wide range of activities: from urban service work to weekend trailblazing, the All Out Blaze Aero Sport should provide long-lasting comfort when properly fitted with the Omni-Fit Lacing system. This is largely due to this line's wonderfully cushioned and supportive EVA foam midsole replete with foam pods. In addition, the TPU heel counter offers yet another degree of comfort when standing or walking for long periods of time. However, not everyone appreciates the snug, supportive feeling offered by the uppers of the All Out Blaze Aero Sport in day-to-day wear.

Style

The All Out Blaze Aero Sport line comes in a total of seven colorways. Men's colorways include Dusty Olive, Castle Rock/Green, and Blue Wing. Women's colorways include: Black/Aventurine, Sea Pine, Beige/Khaki, and Dark Slate. These color choices range from casual to vibrant making this shoe a great all-around choice for either daily wear or a stand-out look. With other lines only offering one or two colorways, the All Out Blaze Aero Sport is certainly a comparatively stylish choice. In terms of design, the style is meant to be more functional than aesthetically pleasing or fashionable.

Durability

The Merrell All Out Blaze Aero Sport is highly durable in urban settings. However, exposure to water for frequent or extended periods of time (especially salt water) may cause bonding agents attaching the outsole to deteriorate and/or threads in stitching to break. Wearers report this shoe to have an extremely long lifespan (up to 22 years!) when worn in urban settings!

Protection

The M Select lining provides protection against infection (and foul odors) while traveling through wet terrain and rivers. Made of antimicrobial material, it aids in the prevention of bacterial and fungal growth. In addition, reflective textile accents provide some low-light visibility. A wide protective toe box also allows the foot to splay naturally; preventing friction injuries and turf toe before they have a chance to inhibit your daily runs. Lastly, the distinct angled lugs of the Vibram outsole with M Select grip technology offer singular protection from loose, slippery terrain, reducing your chances of injury from falls or unforgiving terrain.

Responsiveness

The UniFly midsole provides the Aero All Out Blaze Sport with excellent responsiveness and a slight cushioned bounce. Moreover, Merrell's distinctive Omni-Fit technology keeps the shoe firmly wrapped around the foot ensuring that the shoe responds with your movements without friction or discomfort.

Support

The Merrell All Out Blaze Aero Sport does not seem to offer much in the way of specialty arch support since the line focuses on providing a barefoot, neutral feel. Still, thanks to its cushiony UniFly midsole with supportive foam pods in the forefoot, many wearers consider this a good shoe for standing, walking, and hiking long periods. Plus, with its molded TPU external heel counter, the All Out Blaze locks the heel in place and helps to prevent injury.

Terrain

The Merrell All Out Blaze Aero Sport is a shoe that equally bears in mind terrain and trekker. Often labeled as a dual hiking and water shoe, the All Out Blaze Sport is designed to cover ground quickly on loose and/or wet terrain. However, Merrell's noteworthy design takes this line one step above your standard water shoe.

Price

Merrell's Blaze Sport is somewhat expensive. Priced near the top of the trail running shoe range (depending on color and style options), this shoe might not be a realistic choice for a daily walker. However, if you're looking for a shoe to take paddleboarding, caving, or hiking across varied terrain, the All Out Blaze Aero Sport might be the perfect choice for you.

Traction

The unique angled lug design on the outsole of the Merrel All Out Blaze Aero Sport gives this shoe a grippy, stable feel, even while forging creeks and crossing water. The proprietary M Select tread on this line features small, flexible nodes that keep you keep your standing on slick surfaces, but it should be noted that this is not a specialized non-slip shoe.

Flexibility

In addition to its synthetic mesh paneling, the lug pattern on the Merrell's TC5+ Vibram outsole (the brand famous for its barefoot feel) adds flexibility to this shoe. However, because of the TPU heel counter, this shoe limits the wearer's range of lateral motion and is not suitable for activities that require a wide range of ankle motion (like CrossFit).

Stability

This shoe is stable enough for continuous long hours of wear. The unique M Select lug pattern offers a more comfortable level of stability on wet surfaces than a standard tennis shoe. The TPU heel counter also offers added stability while pushing off loose or unpredictable surfaces. However, this shoe may not be suitable for those who have over-pronated feet.

Drop

The Merrell All Out Blaze Aero Sport is a zero-drop trail shoe designed to emulate your foot's natural arch while barefoot. In fact, many wear this shoe without socks.

Key Features

- Textile and Synthetic
- Imported
- Synthetic sole
- Breathable mesh and durable synthetic uppers
- Omni-Fit lacing system
- Mesh lining with odor-preventing M Select FRESH technologies
- Cushioned and protective UniFly midsole
- TC5+ Vibram outsole with 5 mm lug depth

Bottom Line

The Merrell All Out Aero Sport is a welcome addition to the existing Merrell line. This shoe offers a snug, supportive fit with just a little cushion for both wet and dry terrain. This positions the Merrell All Out Blaze Aero Sport as a well-rounded shoe for the service industry and weekend trailblazing alike. Available in several color styles, the Aero Sport also offers a lightweight and snug fit without sacrificing style. Overall, the Aero Sport is a well-rounded, water-resistant shoe perfect for those who are looking for equal parts protection, support, and breathability.