I enjoy kickin' it back in the backcountry. One thing that makes my experiences in the outdoors great is chosing good footwear. Recently I bought some Merrells and I really love them!! They are the best hiking shoe that I have ever boughten. This summer I went backpacking in the Windrivers and the first two days it rained. It wasn't like a nice cool down rain, it was a down pour monsoon. Did my feet stay dry? No. But they stayed warm. What I think happened is that my whole body was so soaked, that the water ran down my leg, soaked through my sock and got my foot wet. Moral of the story, if your going to be out in the monsoons, wear a good pair of wellies. But if your just going through puddles, mud, expecting some rain, these are the shoes to wear. They are sturdy, lightweight, and gore-tex. I have walked through shallow streems (2 to 3inches deep) and my feet stayed dry and happy. Another good thing about these shoes is that they have incredible grip on them, when they get wet, they stick to everything. I was on the top of Longs Peak with them and I was able to just walk down the south face without crab walking or using my hands. So far I have had them for 4 months and they feel like brand new. The front part of the soul comes up a few hairlines on the toe, but it hasn't increased. They take about 2 to 3 days of vigerous use to break in. The heal of the shoe digs into your ankle but once they are broken in, it is like wearing a slipper. So far, all around good shoe.
http://www.campmor.com/merrell-chameleon-3-stretch-gtx-mens-hiking-shoe.shtml?source=CI&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=18767
