I was tempted to give this shoe five stars right out of the box - it was so comfortable.  But I wanted some time with the product before reviewing. So I've worn these shoes almost full time for a couple of months now and I can say without a doubt that these are the most comfortable shoes I've worn.  They fit more like socks than shoes (EXACTLY what I was looking for).  I do wear socks with these (for odor and moisture reasons, not comfort).  If you are a sockless guy, go for it.  The lining is smooth, soft and full.  If sockless, just be sure to size down 1/2 size.  For sock wearing, order your size straight up.  These size true (I now own two pair and they both size dead-on).  If you are between sizes in different brands, order up to the next size (again, only if you plan to wear socks).

These shoes have ruined me.  I cannot stand wearing my cross trainers any more.  The tongue on a typical athletic shoe absolutely bothers me now.  Once you wear the stretch style, you'll never feel as comfortable in a "tongue" shoe.

For the intended application (hiking), these have fantastic tread grip.  The tread is soft and supple to the touch, not hard.  The only time I've felt tread slip was on a slick wet aluminum bleacher tread (football game - not hiking trail).  But with any grit on any trail - save for maybe mossy wet rocks - this tread holds great.

I want to buy a lifetime supply lest Merrell's marketing group ever decides to change the design and discontinue these.  I hope they never do.  You will not regret buying this shoe.