Merrell Aurora 6 Ice+ Review

8.7
8.7 score
[Editors rating (8.7)] = (WalkJogRun) score (8.7)/10


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Editor rating: 8.7 / 10
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The Merrell Aurora 6 Ice+ Waterproof boots are designed for harsh winter conditions, helping give you amazing traction and aid in keeping you nice and warm. They feature Vibram Arctic Grip outsoles with 4.5mm lugs to help you on your way, allowing you to walk on ice with ease. Merrell's M Select WARM insulation combined with the Conductor fleece lining ensures that you will be able to stay nice and warm throughout the day. Customers love the comfort they receive from them. They might have a slightly higher price tag than some want to pay, but they are extremely durable and offer so much more than some other similar products which make them well worth the cost. Customers love these boots and stated that they would recommend them to their friends and family.

Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Great comfortability
  • Long-lasting durability
  • Phenomenal traction
  • Keeps you warm
  • Waterproof upper
Cons
  • High price tag
  • Few color options

Outsole

The outsole of these shoes is amazing! They are made using Vibram Arctic Grip technology with 4.5mm lugs on the bottom to give you phenomenal durability and even more traction. You are not going to need to worry about the soles wearing down on your too quickly, they are designed to take quite the beating and persevere.

The traction on these, however, is amazing. They are going to help keep you on your feet, whether walking on ice or other wet slippery surfaces. They are perfect for most cold weather conditions. No need to walk around worrying whether or not your feet are going to unexpectedly slip out from underneath you causing you to fall and potentially hurt yourself or someone else. If you are going to be doing a lot of walking around outside in hazardous conditions then allow these to give you a little piece of mind, knowing they are going to help keep you upright. Something that you might want to note is that even though a vast majority of the customers agree that these have fantastic traction, there are a few who said that they do not and were unpleased with the grip they provided.

Not only are you going to get a superior grip but you are also going to get some added stability while you are out and about.

Midsole

The midsole of the Merrell's features a single density footbed that gives you a little extra comfort underfoot. This insole is, however, removable so if you are unhappy with the way they feel right out of the box you can always swap it out for something that will better fit your comfort needs. That being said, most reviewers were happy with the underfoot cushioning that they provided and did not need to swap out the insoles.

In the arch of these winter shoes is a molded nylon arch shank that is going to help give you a little bit of extra stability while you are wearing them. The fact that this is made out of nylon means that they are going to be able to keep some unnecessary weight off the boots while still giving you the protection and support that you need. You will also still get a decent amount of flexibility, allowing you a more natural movement to your feet while on the go.

Additionally, the heels have Merrell's air cushioning in them to help give you even more stability as well as excellent shock absorption to help reduce some of the impacts your joints might take while you are out and about.

Upper

The uppers of the Merrell Aurora 6 Ice+ Waterproof boots are made out of strong and super durable leather material. They also have a TPU waterproof shell to help keep your feet dry when wandering around in cold and wet weather conditions. Not only are these going to help keep your feet dry but they are also designed to ensure that you stay nice and warm inside of them. They have M Select WARM insulation that is lightweight (only 200g) but still does a fantastic job at keeping your feet toasty and warm, even on the coldest of day. This insulation has little reflective, micro-spaces that will trap in the heat from your body and deliver it back to you creating warmth without all the added bulk of some other types of insulation.

In addition to the great insulation, they also feature a Conductor fleece lining inside of them to help aid in keeping you warm and cozy. It is also extremely soft, adding to the comfort level for a pleasant in-shoe experience. The boots have faux fur cuffs and lining and a plush collar and tongue. Finishing off the uppers is a traditional lace-up closure.

Support

When you are putting anything on your feet you want to make sure that you are going to get a decent amount of support. Some types of footwear are going to require a little more than others, but it is going to vary depending on what you are doing while wearing them. In the case of these winter boots you are going to want a little more support than you would expect from a pair of sandals or sneakers, and you will get that.

You are not going to have any problems with the locked in and snug feel while wearing these. As long as you get the correct size for the perfect fit you are not going to have to fear too much wiggle room inside that might cause you to slip around inside the foot chamber causing your fall. The lace-up closure is going to help allow you to get the perfect fit for optimal support.

As for your arches, you will get some extra padding where you need it thanks to the cushioned footbed and the nylon shank located there. If you find yourself with not enough under-arch support then you can consider an additional insert to give you what you need.

Comfort

Comfort is one of the most important things to look for when you are purchasing your footwear. You want to make sure that they are going to give you a decent amount of comfort, otherwise, why would you wear them? The great thing about the Merrell's is that they provide you what you need in those regards. They footbed offers you a decent amount of cushioning but if it is just not enough for you then you can always remove it and replace it with one that you like a little better.

The cushioned midsole and soft interior lining help make sure that your feet are going to stay cozy and warm all day long. You are not going to have to worry about irritating chafing or blisters with these boots either, so that is a huge bonus.

Durability

When you are in the market for a pair of shoe that you will be wearing around in the winter and in wet conditions you are going to want to make sure that you find something that is going to be able to stand up and survive the task. The Merrell Aurora 6 Ice+ Waterproof boots are going to do just that. They are designed to take quite the beating and make it through unscathed. The strong leather upper and even stronger Vibram outsole ensure that you will have these for quite a while. They are waterproof so water damage is not going to be a problem either.

They have a hefty price tag on them but with everything that they offer you and the long-lasting durability makes them well worth the money spend. You might pay a little more upfront but you are not going to have to worry about replacing them any time soon so that is money saved in the long run.

Stability

These boots are going to offer you a decent amount of stability while you are out and about. There is a molded nylon arch shank located in the midsole that helps give you a little extra support and stability when they are on your feet. Additionally, they have Merrell's air cushion located in the heel to help give you just a little bit more as well as providing you with a decent amount of shock absorption. Even the outsole helps contribute to the stability of this winter footwear. The amazing Vibram rubber outsole gives you a great grip as well as increased stability to help you stay on your feet while you are on the go.

Style

Customers seem to appreciate the simple and basic look of these winter boots. They are not overly flashy and do not stand out, but that is OK. They do come in a couple of different color options, however, so you can pick something that will best fit your wants and needs. You can choose between ash (white), Merrell tan (brown), or black.

They have a padded tongue and collar a faux-fur lining that spills up around the collar. They have a traditional lacing system to them, but some customers have mentioned that the design of this is flawed. There are boot lace hoops at the tips of them that some say are just a little too open and can catch on things, such as the laces from your shoes. This reviewer mentioned that this might become a tripping hazard and warns at you might want to make sure that you close the loops a little with pliers or you make sure that your pant legs cover them so you do not risk falling.

Fit

When you are looking for something that you are going to be putting on your feet you want to make sure that they are going to fit properly. You want them to be snug fitting so they gently hug your feet. You want them snug enough that you will not have too much room to slide around inside of them, but at the same time, you do not want them too tight that they squish your feet or pinch your toes causing you discomfort.

When it comes to the Merrells, they are running pretty true to size but a lot of customers suggest that you might want to go up about a half size if you are planning on wearing thick winter socks with them, or if you are going to be inserting an orthopedic insole. If you are unsure as to what size you should order you can always consult a size chart, just to make sure.

Protection

Protection in your shoes is important, especially when you are talking about winter boots that you will be wearing in the cold and slippery conditions. These are going to offer you a decent amount of it so you can stay relatively safe while facing the harsher winter conditions.

The Vibram outsole is going to provide you with amazing traction to help you stay on your feet, preventing you from slipping and falling which can lead to injury.

Additionally, the midsole provides you with a decent amount of shock absorption to help out your joints. When your foot hits the ground the sole is going to take in a lot of that impact so that way it does not put as much pressure on your knees and other joints which can lead to discomfort or pain.

These boots are also going to shield you from the elements. They are waterproof so they are going to keep you dry, promoting a healthier in-shoe environment for your feet as well as helping you stay warm. The M Select WARM insulation and the Conductor fleece linings keep your feet nice and toasty so you will not have to worry about suffering too much from the cold conditions.

One thing that customers warn about is that if you are stepping into deeper snow, around 5 or more inches, then you are going to run the risk of the snow slipping down into your boots from the top, so that is just something that keeps in mind when deciding whether or not these are going to be right for you.

Bottom Line

If you are in the market for a great pair of winter boots then you might want to consider the Merrell Aurora 6 Ice+ Waterproof ones. As the name states, they are waterproof so they will help keep your feet nice and dry, but also provide amazing insulation and a soft lining that keep you nice and toasty, even on the coldest days. They feature Vibram Arctic Grip outsoles with 4.5mm lugs to help ensure you get great traction and can walk safely on the ice. Offering fantastic support and good stability these boots are going to be the perfect addition to your winter gear.