Merlin Maverick Adventure Boot review: 'An aggressive looking boot worthy of tackling a tough adventure...'

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There’s plenty of competition nowadays within the adventure boot market, from vintage styles, to the latest reinforced ratcheted off roading boot. A trade-off between function and style. The Merlin Maverick boots do well to combine both an aggressive looking boot worthy of tackling a tough adventure whilst being sleek and not too utilitarian.

Are the Merlin Maverick boots practical?

The Mavericks are a slim fitting boot, with the Velcro and ratchet clasps locking the boot to your leg, so there isn’t much room for fitting riding trousers inside, unless you wear slim fitting riding jeans. They are much more suited to a pair of over-boot motorcycle trousers so you can easily slip your jeans over the top of them to lessen the adventure look, if you so desire.

Are they comfortable?

They may be slim in profile, but they are reassuringly tough with integrated D3O shock absorbing impact protectors and reinforcement in the shin, sole, heel, and toe. With that much protection, surprisingly the combined leather uppers are quick to break in. The flex at the ankle quickly allows you to feel comfortable when walking around off the bike. And the Vibram sole gives you plenty of grip when you leave the comfort of the tarmac for uneven surfaces off-road.

• Related: Best adventure bike kit for on- or off-road

Are these boots waterproof?

As an all-season boot they work well in winter, which is when I rode with them. When paired with a decent thermal sock they certainly kept my feet warm and dry on my 3-hour weekly commute. Longer than that and I did start to notice a chill, but by that point the cold was seeping into every limb let alone my feet. 

How do the Merlin Maverick WP boots look?

They look the part when you’re all decked out in your adventure kit. These are purposeful adventure boots without being overstated or trying too hard to be a motocross or enduro boot.

Are they good value for money?

The Merlin Maverick Adventure boots are reasonably priced when compared to competitors like the Forma Predator, the Sidi Adventure 2, and the popular Alpinestars Corozal. It will likely come down to budget, and a buyers’ preference in the way they look and feel.

Merlin Maverick WP Boots – the bottom line

It’s always a battle finding boots that perform well for your riding style, and fit you well. You can count on Merlin’s Mavericks to perform on your riding adventures, so it comes down to whether the snug fit is right for you. Either way the Mavericks should be a boot to consider. Overall, this is a decent boot that will serve you for many adventures and survive the toughest of seasons.

How MCN tests waterproof motorcycle boots

At MCN, our team of expert journalists have decades of experience gained over hundreds of thousands of miles in order to provide you with opinions and evaluations you can trust, alongside news of the most significant developments in motorcycling safety gear. We want you to stay safe, enjoy your riding and hopefully look great while doing so! 

We don’t test our kit to destruction; we use it exactly how you do, in the real world and in all conditions. That means we can deliver impartial buying advice you can rely on.

Each of our expert reviewers tests their products for a variety of things, both subjective and objective, and these boots are no exception. Factors assessed include the boots’ ability to keep the rain out; what level of protection they offer; how comfortable they are to wear and walk in; how they look; how easy they are to put on; and any other features they may have.

We cover thousands of miles in waterproof boots between us and we regularly compare them with one another in the office, so collectively we’ve built the sort of knowledge base you can trust.

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When we review a product, we award it a score out of five. In the ratings tab of a given pair of motorcycle boots, you may also find more specific scores for the different aspects of a product’s performance to help you make an informed decision. We test against criteria like how comfortable a boot is; how protective it is; if it looks good; and if it is good value for it’s price tag. Here’s a guide to what each number score means:

• 1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A product with a single star rating has fallen below the expected standard and should be avoided.
• 2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A product with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level and there is room for improvement.
• 3 stars – An average performance in this area or overall. A product with a three-star rating has achieved a basic level of performance and is deemed adequate.
• 4 stars – A product has performed over and above the accepted averaged in this category or overall. A product with a four-star rating has surpassed expectation and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
• 5 stars – A product has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall. A product with a five-star rating has delivered to the highest possible level, impressing the tester with its performance. We would happily spend our own money on it.

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