Well-cushioned, comfortable, and attractive hiking shoes

I was looking for a lightweight replacement hiking shoe for my current Asolo hikers.

The majority of issues that I have encountered with most lightweight low hiking shoes were lack of cushioning around the entire shoe (particularly noticable when wearing thinner, lightweight hiking socks), not enough room in the toe box, and (perhaps of least importance) the fact that many hikers have started to bear a striking resemblance to bowling shoes (or occasionally clown shoes).

These hikers solved my issues on all counts... they are lightweight, they are comfortable right out of the box, they provide cushioning all around the foot (so I do not wind up with hot spots even on top of my toes where shoe seams would typically rub through thinner socks), and I do not look like I am either headed for the bowling alley or trying out for clown college.

Although I have read comments elsewhere that for some Merrell shoes either fit 1/2 size too large or 1/2 size too small, I typically wear a women's sized 8.5, and found these fit me true-to-size. It might also bear mentioning that while the color I purchased is labelled as "mint," it is closer to a muted sage.

Merrell's

They were good, and were well made, needed to return them , they were to small,