The Siren Edge 3 is a budget-friendly model from Merrell with a lot to recommend them but be aware that they lack waterproofing which may limit their appeal.
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Very light
- Often very reasonably priced
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Not waterproof
- Some durability concerns
See the Merrell Siren Edge 3 in more detail:
Editor’s note: This article is part of our guide to the best hiking shoes, be sure to check out the rest of this guide for our top buying tips:
Light, breathable, stylish, from a reputable brand, and often very reasonably priced. The Merrell Siren Edge 3 has a lot of positives going for it. The downside is that they lack waterproofing – at least in the variant we assessed – and we did have some long-term durability concerns. Despite the negative points, we were still impressed overall with these shoes, and we think they would make an excellent choice for those who live and hike in warm, dry conditions. The lack of waterproofing means that we can’t recommend them as an all-round, general hiking shoe, but, if you need something that will keep the rain out and otherwise like the sound of the Siren Edge 3, it’s worth noting that Merrell offer a slightly more expensive variant of these shoes that integrates a waterproof membrane.
Compare to Similar Products:
Product | Danner Womens Trail 2650 | Columbia Women's Trailstorm | Hoka Speedgoat 5 | Adidas Terrex Swift R3 Gore-Tex | Keen Zionic Speed | Altra Lone Peak 7 | Adidas Terrex AX4 Gore-Tex Hiking Shoes | Keen NXIS EVO Low Height Waterproof Hiking Shoe | La Sportiva Spire GTX | Merrell Moab Speed | Oboz Sawtooth X Low Waterproof | On Cloudwander Waterproof | Merrell Siren Edge 3 |
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Our Ratings | Best Overall Women's | Best Budget | Best Lightweight | Best for Winter | Best for Long Distances | Best for Trail Running | |||||||
Pros | Durable build. Extremely comfortable | Exceptionally good hiking shoe for the price point. Clever traction design in the lugs | Extremely well cushioned and comfortable fit. Deep lugs offer good traction on slippery surfaces | Well protected and durable. Great traction and feels very grippy | A great fast and light shoe. Roomy toe box, and comfortable for wider feet | Roomy toe box. Excellent traction. | Striking design. Makes use of recycled material | Light weight. Good environmental credentials | Light Weight. Ultra breathable | Lightweight. Iconic Moab fit and comfort | Durable build. Good water resistance | Excellent balance of weight and waterproofing. Stiffer design gives a more technical feel | Very light. Often very reasonably priced |
Cons | Not the cheapest. We found they didn't keep our feet warm in wet conditions | Breathability concerns in warmer temperatures | Colorways are divisive. lacking in stiffness between outsole and midsole | Pretty rigid - not the most fast and light shoe on the market, can feel a little big | Not waterproof. Durability concerns on the sole | Less durable. Pricey | Looks may be too much for some. Slightly narrow fit may be unsuitalbe for wider feet. | May not be best fit for narrower feet. A bit pricey | Pricey. Some may prefer a more rigid shoe | Not most supportive. More expensive than the regular Moab | Heavy. Longer break-in period | Some may find them too stiff. Can be pricey. | Not Waterproof. Some durability concerns |
Traction | Vibram outsole with medium/deep thread pattern | Extremely good | Very good | Extremely good | Average | Full rubber outsole with medium/deep thread pattern | Continental outsole with medium deep thread depth | Full rubber outsole with medium thread depth | Vibram outsole with deep thread pattern | Vibram outsole with medium/deep thread pattern. | Very good | Very good | Good |
Breathability | Perforated suede outer with breathable mesh inner | Not so great | Good | Good, but Gore-Tex membrane does play in here | Excellent | Full mesh upper | Breathable mesh upper with Core-Tex membrane | Breathable mesh upper and lining with anti-odor treatment | Breathable mesh upper with Gore-Tex | Full mesh upper | Average | Good | Very good |
Ankle Support | Minimal - Low top shoe with minimal ankle support | Minimal | Minimal | Minimal | Minimal | Minimal - Low top shoe with minimal ankle support | Minimal - Low top shoe with minimal ankle support | Minimal - Low top shoe with minimal ankle support | Minimal - Low top shoe with minimal ankle support | Minimal - Low top shoe with minimal ankle support | Minimal | Minimal | Minimal |
Arch support | Gentle arch support | Regular | Regular | Regular | Minimal | Gentle | Subtle arch support | Gentle arch support | Gentle arch support | Gentle | Good | Regular | Regular |
Fit | Available in medium width and in sizes from US 5/ UK 3.5/ EU 36 up to US 11/ UK 9.5/ EU 44 | Regular | Standard/slightly wide | Regular/wide | Standard/slightly wide | Roomy and good for wider feet with natural movement. Available in sizes from US 5.5/UK 3.5/EU 36 to US 12/UK 10/EU 44.5 | Available in sizes from US 5/ UK 3.5 /EU 36 up to US 12/ UK 10.5/ EU 45.3 | Iconic Keen fit' - Wider fit with extra space at forefoot. Available in sizes from US 5/ UK 3.5/ EU 36 up to US 12/ UK 9/ EU 43 | Fits true. Typically suitable for normal to narrow feet. Available in sizes from US 5/ UK 3/EU 36 up to US 11/ UK 9/ EU 42 | Similar to the Moab 3 - but a little more narrow but still suitable for most hikers. Available in sizes from US 5/UK 2.5/EU 35 to US 11.5/UK 9/EU 43 | Normal and wide verisons available | Standard/slightly narrow | Normal and wide versions available |
Materials | Suede and synthetic | Synthetic | Synthetic | Synthetic with 50% recycled upper | Synthetic | Fully synthetic | Fully synthetic with Gore-Tex membrane. Adidas claims upper contains a minimum of 50% recycled material | Fully synthetic with waterproof 'KEEN.DRY' membrane | Fully synthetic with Gore-Tex membrane | Fully synthetic. Merrell claim these sheos are vegan. | Synthetic and leather | Synthetic | Synthetic |
Appearance | Modern design with classic elements and materials. Available in a wide range of colour ways. | Modern cross between hiking shoe and trail runner | Trail running shoe | Modern hiking shoe | Trail running shoe | A really nice looking shoe that could work well for multiple purposes such as hiking and trail running - with a variety of striking color designs | Striking angluar design available in a wide rang eof colour ways | Distinctive good looks available in multiple colour ways | Available in multiple colour ways with striking styling, typical of La Sportiva. | Does something inbetween a hiking shoe and trail runner and comes in a variety of striking colourways | Modern hiking shoe | Modern hiking shoe | Modern hiking shoe |
Durability | Very high | Considering the price point, seems durable | Average | Rip resistant synethetic finish with durable Continental sole | Longer term durability concerns | Medium to high | Medium to high | Medium to high | Medium to high | Medium to high | Excellent | Good | Some durability concerns |
Weight (pair) | 680g/1lb 08oz | 500g/1lb 3oz | 460g/1lb | 700g/1lb 7oz | 544g/1lb 2oz | 635g/1lb 4.5oz | 758g/1lb 11oz | 644g/1lb 6oz | 740g/1lb 10oz | 640g/1lb5oz | 800g/1lb 12oz | 640g/1lb 7oz | 560g/1lb 4oz |
Insoles | Removable three-layer cushioned insoles | Standard insole | Standard insole | Standard insole | Standard insole | Removable padded insole | Removable insoles | Removable padded insole | Removable padded insole | Removable padded insole | Paded, shaped 'O FIT' insole | Standard insole | Standard insole |
Break-in Period | Minimal | Minimal break in | Minimal | Minimal break in | Minimal break in | Very minimal | Minimal | Minimal | Minimal | Very minimal | Short break in period | Short break in period | Very minimal |
Lacing system | Standard laces | Ghillie lacing | Standard lacing system | Traditional laces | Traditional laces | Standard laces | Standard laces | Standard laces | Standard laces | Standard laces | Standard laces | Standard laces | Standard laces |
Toe Protection | Rubeerized, semi-rigid toe cap with rubber rand around front section of shoe | Rubber toe rand | Rubber toe rand | Rubber toe rand | Minimal rubber toe rand | Hard but not solid | Rubberized, reinforced, but non-rigid toe and front section | Hard, but not solid, rubber toe cap. | Non-rigid PU 'TechLite' toe cap | Hardened rubber toe cap | Reinforced toe | Rubber toe rand and small toe cap | Reinforced toe |
Analysis and Test Results
Merrell are one of the big players in the outdoor footwear industry and they make a range of well-respected products targeting both hikers and trail runners. These Siren Edge 3 shoes are definitely a budget-focused product, and they can often be found at a very attractive price point. This alone will surely make them appeal to a lot of people, but beyond their price these shoes are comfortable, very light-weight and breathable too – all of which are very desirable characteristics. The downside is that they are not waterproof at all – which, in our opinion, should rule them out if you hike anywhere you are likely to encounter rain or have to cross wet ground. However, if you live and hike somewhere warm and dry, they are a compelling choice, and we think they warrant some attention.
Performance Comparison
Traction
The Merrell Siren Edge 3 features a Vibram sole with a deep thread pattern. The sole provides positive grip on uneven surfaces, but as with all the shoes we’ve assessed, wet, muddy or icy surfaces can cause the traction to fall off dramatically. On this note, it’s worth bearing in mind that as the Siren edge 3 has no waterproofing, it’s a poor choice for hiking in wet weather, so these traction limitations should not pose a problem under the conditions this shoe is intended for.
Breathability
The Merrell Siren Edge 3 has excellent breathability. The shoe features large, vented panels in its side and there is no waterproof membrane. Whilst waterproof membranes like Gore-Tex are breathable, they do compromise breathability somewhat – that isn’t an issue here! The bottom line is that if you are hiking in warm conditions, these shoes are a good option.
Ankle Support
These are hiking shoes and not boots, so, they don’t provide any direct ankle support. Many hikers will prefer the lighter weight and increased foot mobility offered by shoes over boots, so the lack of ankle support isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Arch Support
The Siren Edge 3 comes with a fairly generic set of insoles that offer neutral arch support. These are on par with what’s provided by most of Merrell’s competitors and will suit most buyers of these shoes just fine. If you do prefer or need more arch support, it’s trivial to swap out the provided insoles for something more heavily shaped and supportive.
Fit
Merrell offers the Siren Edge 3 in a wide range of sizes – from US 5/UK 2.5/EU 35 all the way up to US 12/UK 9.5/EU 43.5. The shoes are also available in either standard or wide widths. The shoes fit true to size.
Materials
In common with many contemporary hiking shoes, the Merrell Siren Edge 3 is made completely from synthetic material. The choice of synthetics helps Merrell to keep the weight low and the breathability good – both key features of these shoes.
Appearance
The Merrell Siren Edge 3 has the look and feel of a modern trainer. It’s a very subjective thing, but the design is maybe not as elegant as some of the other shoes we’ve assessed, however we certainly don’t think these are bad-looking shoes. Indeed, we could easily imagine that a lot of these shoes get bought for day-to-day wear and never go anywhere near a trail. The shoe is offered in a wide range of different color ways ranging from neutral options to some more vivid combos.
Durability
We have some concerns about the long-term durability of the Merrell Siren Edge 3. The shoes appear well-made and finished, but the lightweight materials show signs of wear quickly. The shoes are far from flimsy, and we suspect that any wear they show would be purely cosmetic for a long time, however it’s clear that the low weight and attractive price point of these shoes does come at the expense of durability.
Sustainability
Merrell’s sustainability credentials are a bit of a mixed bag. The company has some ambitious sustainability targets including a commitment to integrate recycled material into every one of their products by 2025, reducing water used in production and cutting back on plastic packing material. However, for now, they don’t publish data on individual products outside of a few specific models (which don’t include the Siren Edge 3), so we can’t tell for sure if these shoes incorporate any recycled material or use sustainably manufacturing methods.
Water Resistance
The Merrell Siren Edge 3 is offered in two versions: there’s the regular version we have assessed and slightly more expensive ‘Waterproof’ version that has an integrated waterproof breathable membrane. The upshot of this is that the shoes we’ve assessed here are not waterproof at all. The outer will keep your feet dry in very light rain or from gentle splashes, but that’s it and, if you wear these in wet conditions you have to expect that your feet will get wet. In our opinion, this lack of waterproofing makes the Siren Edge 3 – at least the non-waterproof version we’ve assessed – unsuitable as a general-purpose hiking shoe if you hike in mixed weather. However, if you live and hike somewhere warm and dry, water resistance is likely not a key concern and in this case, the Siren Edge 3’s light weight and breathability make them quite an attractive option.
Weight
Weighing in at 560g/1lb 4oz, the Merrell Siren Edge 3 are amongst the lightest shoes we’ve assessed. The fact that they are also a very budget-friendly model is particularly noteworthy as extreme lightness normally comes at a cost. Even if cost isn’t your main reason for considering these shoes, their light weight is certain to attract attention as weight carried on your feet is disproportionately fatiguing relative to the same amount of weight carried elsewhere – in short, if you want to reduce the weight of your gear to hike further or faster, then weight saved on your shoes will make more of a difference than the same amount of weight saved on, say, a backpack. Unfortunately, the low weight of these shoes does come with another cost: as we mentioned above, we do have some concerns with the durability of these shoes and the light materials used are certainly a contributing factor to this.
Insoles
The Merrell Siren Edge 3 are supplied with some fairly generic padded insoles. Most buyers probably won’t give the insoles a second thought and will be absolutely fine with them. However, if you want to fine-tune the fit of your shoes or add extra arch support, swapping out the insoles for some aftermarket or custom-made alternatives is a great and relatively inexpensive way to transform the fit of your shoes. For some hikers, this swap can make a massive difference to comfort on the trail too.
Break-in Period
These shoes are light, soft and flexible. This means they are comfortable straight out of the box and, whilst we don’t think any footwear is completely without a break-in period, these come very close. We’d be confident to wear these out on a long hike after just one or two shorter walks.
Lacing System
The Siren Edge 3 fastens with regular laces. Whilst laces may not seem like an interesting subject, the fact is that they are a very versatile way to close your shoes and give you a lot of flexibility in terms of fine-tuning the fit of your shoes. If you experience rubbing or chafing, then adjusting the laces can often go a long way towards remedying this. You can make even bigger changes to the fit and comfort of your shoes by experimenting with different lacing patterns.
Toe Protection
The Merrell Siren Edge 3 offers fairly minimal toe protection, though it is in line with other light weight hiking shoes. The front of the shoe is slightly reinforced, and the sole extends up at the very front to form a small toe cap or bumper. This level of protection should be enough to take the edge off the kind of bumps you get if you kick into a rock or trip on a root on the trail and will certainly go some way towards preventing stubbed toes.
Conclusion
The Merrell Siren Edge 3 are a budget-friendly hiking shoe from a well-known and well-respect outdoor footwear brand. Whilst they do offer some attractive features – they are very light and breathable – it’s important to note that they have their limits too. We have some concerns about the long-term durability of these shoes, and they lack any sort of waterproofing which, straight away, will rule them out as an option if you hike in changeable weather. On this last point, bear in mind that there’s a near-identical, but slightly more expensive variant of this shoe that does have a waterproof membrane. Reservations aside, these are capable shoes and if you hike in dry places and value light weight, they are a very interesting option.
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