On the market, there are numerous boots that all claim to be great for hiking. Among them is the Moab 2 family of hiking shoes and boots. These boots are part of a company with a long history of high-quality shoes. In fact, the company was started in 1981 and since merged with Wolverine World Wide. Their headquarters is in Michigan.
Anyone who has attempted to give them a try has been pleasantly surprised by their comfort and their performance. This is why we put together our review of their newest edition in hiking boots. We took an in-depth look at them. The results can be found in our full Merrell Moab 2 hiking boot reviews. Our hope is that they meet your needs.
The Merrell Moab 2 Family:
When looking at the Merrell Moab 2, you are looking at an entire family of shoes. This means you have a lot of different options. For the right person, any of them can be a great choice in shoes. The family includes:
1. Merrell Men’s Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoe
These suede leather and mesh shoes have bellows and a closed-cell foam tongue to keep moisture and debris out when you are hiking. Inside, they have a breathable mesh lining. They are comfortable right out of the box according to most people and are typically true to size in every way. They are designed for everyday wear and more casual hiking experiences.
2. Merrell Men’s Moab 2 Mid GTX Hiking Boot
The Mid GTX hiking boots are made of synthetic leather and mesh. They have a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane, which will provide exceptional breathability while keeping your feet dry. They are also able to keep moisture and debris out because of the closed-cell foam tongue and bellows. They have a supportive footbed and a lightweight feel.
3. Merrell Men’s Moab 2 Vent Mid Hiking Boot
With the same overall style as previous Moab 2 shoes and boots, this one remains the same. It has a Vibram sole, suede leather and mesh, as well as other similarities. They have a breathable mesh lining, a molded nylon arch shank, bellows, and more features that ensure a comfortable fit and added stability. They also have the EVA contoured footbed with zonal arch and heel supports.
All of these shoes are worth considering, but for the sake of simplicity, we will only be reviewing the Merrell Men’s Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot.
Our Review on Merrell Moab 2 for Men
Performance:
You really cannot talk about how these shoes perform without also talking about what it is like to wear them. Right out of the box, these shoes promise to be extremely comfortable for the life of them. They require virtually no break-in period, support in all the right places, and more. In fact, it is one of the upgrades from others in the Moab family because it now has a decent arch support and a molded heel that holds your foot in place. There is enough overall padding in and around on these shoes that it feels like you grow taller and walk on a cloud.
Weight:
Moab shoes are always very comfortable in the weight department. These are no exception. They weigh in at approximately two pounds per shoe. Most of the weight seems to stem from the padding more than anything else. This makes it a good combination of weight and comfort for most people.
Traction:
Much the same as other boots from this line of hiking shoes, you can expect stable footing when you wear these hiking boots. When you look at the bottom, you will notice thick lucks with narrow strips between them. This can lead to them caking a little and holding some mud.
They have Vibram rubber compound soles, which have proven that they can last. This is something we like about them. The soles are also soft enough to keep you firmly standing up whether you are walking over rocks, dirt, or mud, but we wouldn’t try to walk over wet, slick rocks until you know how they feel on your feet.
Stability and Support:
These shoes are made for hikers. This means that they promise to be very stable. In fact, we have discovered that it is mostly true. They do seem like a very stable shoe. They are unlikely to cause you ankle rolls when on rocker terrain. They have two silicon bands that are built into the uppers of the shoe. These bands run lengthwise to add structure.
Inside the boot, you will notice that they have the Merrell M Select FIT.ECO+ blended EVA contoured footbed. This is further enhanced by a zonal arch and heel support to ensure you are comfortable and supported throughout the day. They also have an air cushion in the heels to absorb shock and increase stability, even further. In short, these are a very stable shoe option for most people.
Where it could fall a little short is that it isn’t always a good option for carrying heavy loads or walking over steep inclines. This stems from the fact that it is a flexible shoe. Great for comfort, but not always ideal for other things.
Waterproofing:
The shoes that we are reviewing are the waterproof ones, though both are available. The waterproof shoes still have a suede leather and mesh body, but they also have M Select DRY seals. This seals out the water and lets moisture escape so that you stay drier when on the move. In short, it isn’t so much that they stop water from reaching you, though there is some of that. They do prevent a lot of it, but if water gets in, it will eliminate the water that is there without bothering the socks.
Breathability:
When it comes to breathability, you should expect these shoes to perform very well. They have a fair amount of mesh all along the sides and on the top. Waterproof shoes will always have less breathability. It’s kind of a “side effect”.
Toe and Ankle Protection:
These hiking boots have protection in a variety of areas. It has toe protection in the form of a rounded rubber toe cap. Around the ankles, you will find padding and a dip that will wrap around your ankles. This can lessen the risk of sprains.
Quality and Durability:
These shoes seem to hold up really well. There are people who have tested them for months and have nothing bad to say. There are also people who have owned them for longer and still remain satisfied with their durability.
The possible weak area is the mesh. Anytime you have mesh on a shoe, there could be issues, especially with rough wear. We by no means want this to sound like we are knocking their durability. We aren’t. They are too solid performing to try to knock them because of mesh.
Fit and Sizing:
Overall, these shoes seem to be true to size. They have a good length and there is a fair amount of space in the toe box area. They have a nice insole with more arch support, which does make them more comfortable than previous Moab shoes. They also have a nice heel cup. Your feet will not slip around inside them, which will virtually eliminate all risk of blisters, especially if you lace them properly.
Pro & Con of Merrell Moab 2 Hiking Boot:
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Pros
• Everything we love about the original Moab family of shoes is still there. The comfort, breathability, and more are all there for you to enjoy.
• With M Select Dry seals, most of the water from your adventures will stay away from your feet. Any moisture that gets through will be dried quickly through the mesh.
• These hiking boots are made well and very durable according to most people within their limits. If you use them to hike in extreme areas, the comfortable, soft, soles may sustain damage.
• Merrell is a brand that cares about the world. They recycle, reduce, reuse, and conserve as much as possible when they make their shoes.
• Several color options are available. You can match the shoes with your personal style, which is always good for some people.
Cons
• These shoes are not the best for rugged or challenging terrain.
• Their flexibility makes them comfortable, but not great for every type of trail.
Merrell Moab 2 vs Other Hiking Boot
In the world of hiking boots, there are several options. The three most popular boots are the Newton Ridge by Columbia, the Timberland White Ledge, and the Merrell Moab 2. How do they compare to one another? Well, to determine this, you must first look at what each one brings to the table.
1. Newton Ridge boots have a rubber sole. They are lightweight and have a durable midsole. These boots also have very impressive traction that will not hold mud and other stuff. They have a full-grain leather outer and a mesh bootie inside. A mesh tongue improves its breathability. They are waterproof, as long as you aren’t standing in a stream that allows water to flow over the tongue.
2. White Ledge boots are made with full-grain leather that is waterproof. They have seam sealing and rustproof lace hardware. They are casual boots that show how truly good they are when you go hiking. These boots have an EVA footbed and an EVA midsole. They have multi-directional lugs. You can expect them to never weigh you down. They are perhaps the lightest hiking boots around and offer extreme durability.
3. The third most popular hiking boot is the Moab 2. This doesn’t mean they aren’t impressive in their own rights. Quite the opposite. They are simply different in every way. They are suede leather and mesh, which makes them more breathable. These boots may get wet, but dry quickly. They have tighter lugs that are larger in width. They promise to be very comfortable.
Overall, the three boots are all comparable in style and comfort. They are all great for casual hiking, but none will work well for extreme mountain climbing. They are all lightweight, which means that you can wear them for work, play, or simply running errands and you will experience less fatigue in your feet.
At the end, which you choose will be dependent on which style you like the most. Either way, you should be happy with the way they fit.
Conclusion
Choosing a pair of hiking boots is not something that you should do lightly. When trekking through the wilderness, you need to have boots that comfort your feet and provide stability when you need it the most. You also need to know that you can depend on them to have grip when climbing over rocks and boulders or walking on a muddy path.
In our opinion, and on our Merrell Moab 3 hiking boot review, we have determined that although there may be better shoes out there, these definitely are a boot that is worth considering. They have everything most hikers want in a boot, and we hope you find them to be as great as they do.
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