Comfortable Sneakers

Published on January 7th, 2023 | by Kirsten Borrink

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Merrell Alpine Moc Strap Polar Review: Retro, Cozy and Comfy

I’ve been on the hunt for a comfortable winter shoe that’s easy to slip on, provides good support and won’t bother the bunions. Since snow is scarce and temperatures above 45 so far this winter, I figured I didn’t need a boot. I’ve had my eye on these unique Merrell Alpine Moc slip-ons with their retro styling and decided to pick up a pair when they went on sale. Are they perfect for my picky feet? Not 100%, but they’re close. Read on to find out if they might work for your barking dogs.

Toe box: Not as wide and forgiving as my favorite Topo Athletic sneakers, but I don’t experience any irritating pressure on bunions. If you have wide feet, you might find these too narrow in the toe box.

Midfoot/Instep: I love the wide velcro strap across the instep–it allows me to get a snug fit. I prefer to wear the shoe sockless as the fleece lining feels soft and toasty against my feet, but if the temperatures dip, I can wear a pair of Smartwool socks and adjust the strap to accommodate them. If you need a lot of ankle support or have narrow heels, I wouldn’t recommend these–stick to a lace-up like the Merrell Alpine Sneaker.

Insole/Midsole: The fleece-lined EVA insole is removable if you want to replace it with your own favorite insole (I’d order up a half size if you plan to do this). The arch support is noticeable but not too aggressive. If you’re familiar with the excellent support of the Merrell Encore or Jungle Moc, the Alpine Moc is just a smidge below that level of support.

If you’re used to lots of memory foam cushioning in your shoes, the Merrell Alpine Moc Polar Strap will feel firm in comparison. The thick EVA midsole absorbs shock from hard surfaces, but doesn’t necessarily feel pillowy soft.

Outsole: The thick 1.5″ platform and ridged rubber outsole is what give the Merrell Alpine Moc the old-school New Balance look, and it also offers an interesting feel to the shoe. I find it functions like a mild rocker sole, taking pressure off the forefoot. If you have hallux limitus/rigidus, this shoe may work well for you.

Overall feel and fit: The Merrell Alpine Moc Polar Strap is a lot of shoe in appearance, but it’s surprisingly lightweight figuring it features 100 g of low bulk insulation to keep feet pleasantly warm on cooler days. Clearly I wouldn’t wear these in a snow storm, but for a mild winter’s day walk, they’re perfect. Even if the sidewalks are slippery, the ridged outsole offers excellent traction.

As far as sizing is concerned, I ordered my usual size 10 and it fits well if not a little on the generous side of 10 (which works out well if I want to wear socks).

I picked these mainly due to their unique look and trusted Merrell name. They will probably look cuter on smaller feet, but I still love wearing mine with leggings and slim jeans. The soft fleece lining feels comforting to my aching toes and I envision getting lots of wear out of these while the temperatures remain above 45 degrees.

Update: The Merrell Alpine Polar Moc has been discontinued by Merrell. It is still available on Amazon for $52. The lace-up version, Merrell Alpine Sneaker, is still available through Merrell.com and Zappos.

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