Warm winter hiking without a bulky snow boot
Quick Answer: Merrell Thermo Chill 2 Mid Review: The Merrell Thermo Chill 2 Mid is a waterproof, insulated winter hiking boot for people who keep moving in the cold: snowy trail walks, dog walks, slushy commutes and shoveling. It is built like a mid-height hiker, so it feels lighter and more natural to walk in than a bulky snow boot, with a waterproof membrane, a fleece lining and a sticky rubber outsole for winter grip. Its moderate insulation suits active days rather than standing still in deep cold, and the mid-height collar is too low for deep snow..
The Merrell Thermo Chill 2 Mid starts from a different place than most winter boots. Instead of a tall, heavy pac boot built for standing around, it is a hiking boot first: a supportive mid-height shape, a cushioned foam midsole and full lacing, with insulation, a waterproof membrane and winter-ready rubber added on top. Merrell calls it a “winter overachiever,” and its pitch is all-over defense from snow and cold in a boot you can actually walk in.
This is the second version of Merrell’s Thermo Chill, and this review covers the men’s boot, Merrell style 60653M, sold in sizes 7 to 15 in a medium width and in Earthen, Diorite and Black. If your winter is about moving, whether that means hiking packed trails, walking the dog at dusk or crossing slushy parking lots, it is built for you.
Merrell Thermo Chill 2 Mid Waterproof insulated winter hiking boot, side view. Image: Amazon
Specs
Here are the specifications for the Merrell Thermo Chill 2 Mid:
| Type | Waterproof, insulated mid-height winter hiking boot |
| Best for | Winter walks and hikes on packed snow, slushy commutes, dog walks and shoveling |
| Upper | Breathable mesh and PU-coated suede with a protective toe cap |
| Waterproofing | Waterproof membrane designed to keep water out and let moisture escape |
| Warmth | 200 grams of insulation and a 100 percent recycled fleece lining; Merrell rates it “Warmer” |
| Midsole | Lightweight EVA foam, 30 mm at the heel and 20 mm at the forefoot |
| Drop | 10 mm |
| Outsole | Merrell sticky rubber with 5 mm lugs |
| Footbed | Removable EVA foam footbed, 50 percent recycled |
| Weight | About 1 lb 1 oz per boot (480 g, Merrell’s figure) |
| Widths and sizes | Medium width, men’s 7 to 15 |
| Price | Check latest price |
Pros
- Walks like a hiking boot, with a natural stride instead of a stiff, clunky snow-boot feel.
- Light for an insulated, waterproof boot, so long winter walks do not wear you out.
- The fleece lining and fleece collar make it comfortable and cozy from the first wear.
- Sticky rubber and moderate lugs give dependable grip on packed snow and winter trails.
- A protective toe cap guards against rocks and roots hidden under snow.
Cons
- The mid-height collar is too low for deep, unplowed snow without gaiters.
- Moderate insulation is not enough for standing still for hours in severe cold.
- Merrell lists a medium width only, so very wide feet may feel squeezed.
- The textile and suede upper is not built for heavy, daily outdoor work.
A hiking boot built for winter, not a snow boot
The easiest way to understand the Thermo Chill 2 is to picture a mid-height hiking boot that has been winterized. Underneath, it has a lightweight EVA foam midsole, the same kind of cushioning used in many hiking boots and walking shoes. Merrell lists a stack height of 30 mm at the heel and 20 mm at the forefoot, which means a moderate layer of foam under your foot. Your heel sits 10 mm higher than your toes, a common hiking-boot shape that most people find natural and that takes a little strain off the calves on climbs.
On top of that, Merrell adds the winter features. A waterproof membrane inside the upper keeps slush and wet snow out while letting some sweat escape, which matters because damp socks get cold quickly. The upper itself mixes breathable mesh with PU-coated suede, a suede with a protective polyurethane finish, and a toe cap adds abrasion resistance at the front.
Warmth comes from 200 grams of insulation and a recycled fleece lining. Merrell rates 200 grams as its “Warmer” level and says it is built for active days outside, such as hiking snowy trails, shoveling the driveway and spending extended time in cold conditions. In plain terms, it keeps your feet comfortable while you are moving. If you will stand still for long stretches in deep cold, you want more insulation. Our guide on how to keep your feet warm in winter covers socks and layering that help.
Who should buy the Thermo Chill 2 Mid
Buy it if your winter involves moving rather than standing. Hiking packed trails, walking to work through slush, clearing the driveway and walking the dog all keep your blood flowing, and in those situations a waterproof boot with moderate insulation keeps feet warm without overheating them.
It is also the boot for people who have given up on heavy winter boots. At about a pound per boot by Merrell’s count, it weighs close to an ordinary hiking boot, and it flexes at the forefoot the way a hiker does. A long winter walk feels like a walk, not a workout.
And it suits anyone who wants one boot for late fall through winter. The waterproofing handles cold, rainy hikes in November, the fleece lining adds comfort as temperatures drop, and the lugged sole carries it through snowy trails in January.
Who should probably skip it
Skip it if you deal with deep snow. It is a mid-height boot, so drifts and unplowed paths will get in over the top unless you wear gaiters. Skip it if you spend hours standing still in severe cold, at a bus stop, on a sideline or in a hunting stand, because moderate insulation runs out when you stop moving. And skip it if you need a boot for heavy outdoor work, where a tougher rubber or leather boot will hold up better.
These boots suit those needs better:
- Sorel Caribou: a tall pac boot with a waterproof rubber lower and a removable felt liner, built for deep snow and long hours in hard cold (check price | read review)
- Muck Boot Arctic Sport: a tall pull-on rubber and neoprene boot for wet, muddy yard and barn chores in cold weather (check price | read review)
- The North Face Chilkat V 400: a taller lace-up winter boot with twice the insulation, for deeper snow and more time standing still (check price)
Still not sure which winter boot suits your routine? Our Free Shoe Finder can point you in the right direction.
Fit: a familiar hiking-boot shape in one width
Start with your usual hiking-boot size and try the Thermo Chill 2 on with the winter socks you plan to wear. A thick wool sock takes up noticeably more room than a thin one, and toes that are pressed against the front of a boot lose warmth faster.
Merrell lists the men’s boot in a medium width only. If your feet are broad, that is the main thing to check before you buy. Going up half a size adds length, not width, and a boot that is too long lets your heel lift on climbs and descents, which causes rubbing over a long hike. If you need a wide fitting, a boot that comes in one is a better bet than sizing up.
The lacing works the way a hiking boot’s does, so you can snug the boot around your ankle and midfoot to hold your heel in place on hills. The fleece collar and lining make it comfortable from the first wear, with no real break-in. The footbed lifts out, which is handy if you use custom orthotics or a supportive insole; bring yours when you try the boot on, because it uses up some of the room inside.
Merrell Thermo Chill 2 Mid Waterproof winter hiking boot, alternate view. Image: Amazon
How it feels on snowy trails and frozen sidewalks
The Thermo Chill 2’s best quality is how normal it feels to walk in. The EVA foam takes the sting out of frozen ground, the sole bends at the ball of the foot and the moderate heel-to-toe drop rolls you forward naturally. You walk in it the way you would walk in a hiking boot, not with the flat-footed shuffle a heavy pac boot can force on you.
On packed trails and snowy paths, it is in its element. The mid-height collar and lacing steady your ankle over rocks and roots hidden under snow, and the toe cap protects your toes from bumps. Because it is light, a long day on winter trails is far less tiring than in a traditional snow boot.
Grip comes from Merrell’s sticky rubber outsole with 5 mm lugs. Merrell says it delivers “durable traction that grips when and where you need it.” Lugs of that depth are moderate: they bite into packed snow and winter trails and are shallow enough to feel steady on pavement. On wet, glazed ice, though, no ordinary rubber sole grips reliably, so shorten your steps and consider slip-on ice cleats for icy routes.
For durability, treat it as a winter hiking boot rather than a work boot. The mesh and coated suede are comfortable and flexible, but they will show wear faster than a rubber shell if you spend every day kicking through frozen mud and gravel. Brushing off dirt, rinsing away road salt and drying the boots away from direct heat will help them last several seasons.
Is the Merrell Thermo Chill 2 Mid good for walking?
Yes. For winter walking, this is one of its biggest strengths. Because it weighs and flexes like a hiking boot, walking to work, taking the dog out or doing a long loop through a snowy park feels easy, and the waterproofing keeps slush from soaking your socks.
Its limits show up when you stop moving or the snow gets deep. Long waits in severe cold will eventually chill your toes, and deep, unplowed snow will get in over the top. On days without snow or slush, a regular walking shoe will feel lighter and cooler; see our guide to the best walking shoes for everyday picks.
Merrell Thermo Chill 2 Mid Waterproof winter hiking boot in a second colorway, side view. Image: Amazon
Merrell Thermo Chill 2 Mid Alternatives
If you like the Thermo Chill 2’s balance of warmth and walkability but want a different trade-off, these are worth a look.
The North Face Chilkat V is a sturdier everyday winter boot with a waterproof suede upper over a molded lower shell and a heel clip for snowshoes. It suits rougher winter use better, though it is heavier on your feet (check price).
If width is the issue, the Columbia Fairbanks Omni-Heat is a light, insulated lace-up winter boot that Columbia makes in a wide fitting, with a heat-reflective lining. It is softer and more city-focused, so it suits sidewalks better than trails (check price).
For cool, wet hikes that are not truly cold, Merrell’s Moab 3 is the brand’s best-known hiking shoe without the insulation, so it runs cooler and suits fall and spring trails (check price | read review).
For more options, see our guides to the best winter boots for men and Merrell shoes.
Price and value
The Thermo Chill 2 Mid sits in the middle of the winter boot market, and its value comes from how much it does in a light package. You get waterproofing, moderate insulation, a fleece lining and a grippy sole in a boot that still walks and hikes like an ordinary mid-height hiker.
The value case is strongest for people who walk and hike a lot in winter. It is weaker for people who mostly stand in the cold or wade through deep snow, because they would be paying for agility they will not use while giving up warmth and height they need.
Final verdict
Best for: winter hikers, dog walkers and commuters who want a light, waterproof, insulated boot that walks like a hiking boot.
Avoid if: you face deep snow, stand still for long periods in severe cold or need a wide fitting.
Fit: start with your usual hiking-boot size and try it with winter socks; medium width only in men’s 7 to 15.
Verdict: The Merrell Thermo Chill 2 Mid is the winter boot for people who would rather be moving. It keeps your feet dry and comfortably warm on active days, grips well on snowy trails and never stops feeling like a hiking boot. It is not built for deep snow or long, still hours in bitter cold, but for the walking most of us do in winter it is an easy recommendation.
Check the latest price on the Merrell Thermo Chill 2 Mid.
Frequently Asked Questions About Merrell Thermo Chill 2 Mid
Yes. It has a waterproof membrane that Merrell says seals out water and lets moisture escape. Snow or water deeper than the mid-height collar can still come in over the top, so wear gaiters in deep snow.
It has 200 grams of insulation and a recycled fleece lining, which Merrell rates as its “Warmer” level for active days outside. It keeps feet comfortable while you are moving, but for standing still in severe cold, choose a boot with more insulation.
Merrell lists the men’s boot in a medium width only. If you need a wide fitting, choose a boot that offers one rather than sizing up, which adds length and can let your heel slip.
Yes, and that is what it is designed for. It is built like a mid-height hiking boot, with full lacing, a cushioned EVA midsole and lugged rubber, so it handles packed snowy trails comfortably.
Merrell lists about 1 pound 1 ounce (480 grams) per boot. That is close to an ordinary mid-height hiking boot and light for an insulated, waterproof winter boot.
Yes. The EVA footbed is removable, so you can swap in a supportive insole or custom orthotic. Try the boot on with your insert in place, because it uses up some of the room inside.
