Merrell Capra Bolt Mid - Women's Review

The Merrell Capra Bold Mid is a lightweight hiking boot that is easy to break in, breathable, and flexible underfoot. They provide the feel and comfort of a running shoe with additional support around the ankle that makes them fit into the hiking boot category.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

The beauty of the Capra Bolt Mid lies in their relaxed fit and quick break-in period. True to Merrell's ability to make shoes that require little break-in, these boots were comfortable as soon as we put them on. They felt soft with ample padding in the ankle and tongue. However, their soft, malleable quality does not provide as much arch support as other boots we tested. Also, we noticed that because they have a lot of seams holding together the panels of the upper, they do have the tendency to create pressure points in those with wider feet.

Support

Because the Capra Bolt is so lightweight and similar in design to a running shoe, they do not have the same level of support as the many more traditional hiking boots we tested. The ankle shaft height is lower and not very substantial, giving the boots very little ankle support. Their soft mesh and synthetic upper are breathable, but do not provide much structure to the shape of the boot. Boots with a similar price tag and more support are the Keen Targhee II Mid - Women's and the Vasque Monolith - Womens.

Weight

These boots are some of the lightest boots we tested, comparable to the Columbia Redmond Mid - Womens and the slightly heavier Keen Targhee II. Because they have qualities that are more akin to a hiking or running shoe, the Capra Bolt weighs less than the average hiking boot.

Traction

Though the Capra Bolt does have 4 mm lug depths that keep small rocks and other debris from impacting the bottom of the foot, these boots scored lower in traction because they had a tendency to skid out on the loose dirt and rock trails where we tested them. The rubber on the bottom just did not hold up in comparison to the other boots with Vibram soles, such as the Ahnu Sugarpine II, the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid - Women's and the Ahnu Montara III.

Water Resistance

The synthetic and mesh upper that makes the Capra Bolt breathable and light does not provide the same level of water resistance as a boot with a more substantial upper. Boots with a more effective waterproof coating are the Vasque Monolith - Womens and either of the Ahnu boots we tested. These boots did not protect against wetness at all, so they are not the best option if you want a boot that will keep your feet dry in wet weather, or on hikes with lots of stream crossings or puddles.

Durability

Because of the number of seams holding together the mesh and synthetic upper, the Capra Bolt began to show signs of wear after only a few trips. The sides of the foot, especially on hikers with wider feet, wore out more quickly than any other spot on the boot. Again, their light, running-shoe feel comes at the price of durability and water resistance.

Best Application

The Capra Bolt Mid is a hiking boot that can double as a running shoe. Its light, breathable design, and flexible sole made it a great option for day hikes where long-term support is not as much of a concern. The Capra Bolt does have a decent amount of cushion in the sole and we felt like these boots would perform well on a light jog.

Value

Sold on their website for $140, the Capra Bolt Mid does cost a bit more than some of the other lightweight hikers we tested, such as the Columbia Redmond Mid or the Vasque Monolith. These other options were more durable, even though they cost less than the Merrell Capra Bolt.

Conclusion