Our verdict
Whenever people say that hiking shoes always look ugly, whip out the Catalyst Suede in front of their faces and say, "booyah!" That said, the featured shoe's attractive design is only part of the story as its performance is as convincing as most of Merrell's doozy hikers. With this kick on, outshining your co-adventurers is inevitable, whether in the city or on the trail.
Pros
- Super-dependable stickiness
- Who should buy the Merrell Catalyst Suede
- Merrells doozy hikers
- Durable
- Cranked-up support
- Gives extra balance
- Fits superbly
- Quite eye-catching
Cons
- Its laces can drag
- Heel slippage
Powers through wear and tear
Gives sound and steady steps:
- You don't want to overwork your arches on long hikes.
- Surefootedness is high on your footwear wanted list.
- You're after attractive hiking shoes that aren't pushovers durability-wise.
Merrells doozy hikers
Same brand only Powers through wear and tear is a fantastic alternative to the Catalyst Suede. And if excellent overall lockdown is what you're after, check out the Trail 2650 from Danner.
Surefootedness is high on your footwear wanted list
Dozens of hikers are impressed with the Catalyst Suede's tenacity. One of them says that it delivers "good grip on wet and loose surfaces." Another adventurer says that "the tread is perfect for walking urban and trail landscapes." Yet another outdoorsy individual commends its grippy sole on steep rocks.
Merrells doozy hikers
This leather kick is considered quite supple right from the get-go by many. Its "comfort level is excellent," says a reviewer. It's "far more comfortable than I would have thought," says another.
An excellent shoe with a lovely fit
The Merrell Catalyst Suede is a collector of durability-centric comments. Two great examples are "they hold up very well" and "still look like new."
Merrell Catalyst Suede
"What a design flaw"—this is how an experienced trail-goer finds the lengthy shoestrings of the Merrell Catalyst Suede. Several others share the same opinion, with one saying that this is the only fault he can pin on the shoe.
Gives sound and steady steps
A decent number of testers find the Merrell Catalyst Suede as stable as it is supportive. A non-professional reviewer among them says that the shoe gives "a strong base while working out at the gym."
An excellent shoe with a lovely fit
There are those who admire the just-right snugness of the Merrell Catalyst Suede's confines. One of them says, "they fit like slippers."
The Catalyst Suede's underwhelming heel lockdown
"They do a poor job of keeping your heel in the shoe," says a disappointed trail-goer about his Catalyst Suedes. Another hiking enthusiast is a bit more heartbroken because his heels slipping inside the shoe wore through the fabric around the area, leaving his pair partly damaged as a result.
One of Merrell’s stunners
According to many, the Catalyst Suede is a real sight to behold. "Stylish and practical with quality at the core" is how one reviewer describes the hiker overall. Another tester is more flavorful with his words, hailing the shoe as having a "rugged style of royalty."
