Merrell Moab 2 Mid - Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Men's Hiking Boots

Merrell Moab 2 Mid: Out-of-the-box Comfort Hiking Shoes

Jan 05, 2021
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It is difficult to find trustworthy hiking shoes with a great balance between comfort, safety, weight, durability, and traction. We have researched a variety of products available and we consolidated our findings into a Merrell Moab 2 Mid review to bring you the very best qualities that these shoes provide.

The Merrell Men's Moab 2 Mid waterproof hiking boot is true to size with out-of-the-box comfort and great traction. If you are a hiker or backpacker on a budget, the Merrell Moab 2 Mid waterproof hiking boots are your best choice. There is extra padding on the collar and in the heel that gives the shoe a customized feel.

These shoes will provide underfoot protection, which is useful for hiking over rocks or other rough terrain. The Merrell Men's Moab Mid waterproof hiking boot’s core users are day hikers, as they are not ideal for carrying heavy loads or hiking over long and steep areas.

 

AVERAGE SCORE9.4

Durability
9.3
Comfort
9.4
Versatility
9.6
Easy to clean
9.2
Light weight
9.4

However, the Merrell Moab 2 mid waterproof review shows that you can wear these boots over a week-long backpacking trek without feeling any foot fatigue. They are also ideal for trail running without worrying about getting any blisters.

Pros:

  • Great value, ideal for budget hikers
  • Out-of-the-box comfort
  • True-to-size
  • Wide size ranges available
  • Breathable mesh lining
  • Moderately lightweight
  • No break-in time
  • Vibram soles provide good traction
  • Large toe box and roomy feel

Cons:

  • Wide fit isn’t for everyone
  • Not enough support for long and heavy trips

Below are the quality features and attributes of the Merrell Moab 2 mid weight for your references. Want to learn more about the Merrell’s specifications, versions, differences between Merrell Moab vs Moab 2 and more? Scroll to the end for everything you need to know about the Merrell Moab 2 mid waterproof hiking boots.

Merrell Moab 2 Mid Review: The best hiking shoes for beginner hikers.

Merrell Moab 2 mid: The best hiking shoes for beginner hikers

Merrell Moab 2 Mid Review: Features and Attributes
 

Comfort

This mid-top hiking boot features a well-padded ankle collar and cushioned tongue that provides great support and flexibility to keep you trekking. The Merrell Moab 2 mid waterproof hiking boots provide generous arch support with extra padding in the heel. This feature gives you a customized feel over long days on the trail. The sole is light and flexible, allowing the foot to move freely. The boots are supple without a need for any break-in time.

The shoes remain comfortable even when you are carrying some weight. The roomy toe box is ideal for wide feet and great for descents, too. When we were hiking for a long period, our feet felt nice and cosy in the heel box. The Merrell Moab 2 mid waterproof hiking boots are warmer than other hiking shoes, making them perfect forcool weather hikes.

    ➜ RELATED: Keen Targhee II Women’S: Affordable, Waterproof Shoes For Hiking

Merrell Moab 2 mid waterproof hiking boots feature EVA foam in the footbed for flexibility and heel support.

Merrell Moab 2 mid waterproof hiking boots feature EVA foam in the footbed for flexibility and heel support

Stability & Support

The Merrell Men's Moab mid waterproof hiking boot delivers a fair amount of flex around the collar and underfoot. The boots are available in wide sizes, which prevent ankle rolling and slippage. The Merrell Moab 2 combines the stability of hiking boots and lightweight trail shoes. They are best for light packs on day hikes or transforming from hiking to trail running.

The Merrell Moab 2 vent waterproof features sturdy toe and heel kicks to maximise forefoot support. Their nylon shank protects against shock and bruising while the Vibram sole gives great stability and traction.

The Merrell Moab 2 vent waterproof Vibram sole gives great stability and traction.

The Merrell Moab 2 vent waterproof Vibram sole gives great stability and traction

Traction

The Merrell Moab 2 mid review gives these boots top ratings for traction. The Vibram outsoles provide varying degrees of density. The Merrell Moab 2 Mid waterproof hiking boots feature a high-friction sole, which sticks well to rocks. This feature allows us to step on steep surfaces, wet rock, mud, and snow without worrying about tripping or hurting ourselves.  

Weight

The Merrell Men's Moab 2 mid waterproof hiking boot is considered a lightweight hiker, weighing around 2 lbs for a pair of men’s size 9. They are on the lightweight side but remain sturdy – a great combination of weight and comfort for most hikers and backpackers.

Versatility

The Merrell Moab 2 vent waterproof can handle rough terrain for reasonable periods. They resemble hiking shoes, but you can also jog in them comfortably.

Waterproof

The Merrell Moab 2 can keep water out and ensure that your feet remain dry. We have tested the Merrell Moab 2 mid weight on several rainy occasions, and the feet were kept dry for several hours. According to some user reviews, the Merrell Moab 2 Mid GTX did not prevent water as well as the other Merrell Moab 2 options.

   ➜ RELATED: Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX

Durability

The Merrell Moab 2 mid GTX main material is rubber, but they do not wear out too easily. We tested the boots up and down hills, hiking across the country for several months, and the shoes are still in good quality. For a medium hiker like myself, I walk 20 to 30 miles a week in these shoes and they never fail to impress me. The shoes work as hard as you want them to!

Even after a year, you can feel a combination of comfort and durability in these Merrell Moab 2 mid waterproof hiking boots. The laces refuse to come loose, and the balance is still there.

The Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof hiking boots’ laces do not easily come loose.

The Merrell Moab 2 mid Waterproof hiking boots’ laces do not easily come loose

Best uses

You may still ask yourself, “What  are the best hiking boots?” Well, the answer depends on your hiking habits and preferences. If you are a beginner or intermediate hiker who loves going on light day hikes, we strongly recommend the Merrell Men's Moab mid waterproof hiking boot.

We hope that you find the specifications and different versions of Merrell Moab 2 mid waterproof review useful. The product is our year-round favorite hiking boots. Still curious for more? Read below for some user feedback and other options before you make your final decision.

   ➜ RELATED:  Salomon X Ultra Mid 2 GTX: Must-Have Boots For Part-Time Hiking Enthusiasts

Merrell Moab vs Moab 2

Merrell is a well-established brand that makes some of the world’s best shoes for trail running and hiking. Of all the different Merrell shoes out there, the Moab remained our favorite for a long time. Ten years after the first Merrell Moab appeared, we now have the more updated Merrell Moab 2 for walking or running the trails.

The Merrell Moab 2 comes in several versions for everyone to enjoy: Merrell Moab 2 mid GTX, Merrell Moab 2 ventilator, Merrell Moab 2 Vegan, and the Merrell Moab 2 mid WP hiking boots.

Merrell Moab vs Moab 2: What you need to know.

One of the major differences between the two models is the footbed. The classic Merrell Moab includes an Ortholite footbed while the Moab 2 is updated with an M Select FIT.ECO + footbed. Merrell’s best engineers and designers crafted this improved feature to deliver ultimate support.

Another new attribute is the performance suede leather upper, which is softer, more reliable,and higher quality suede. All versions but the Merrell Moab 2 mid GTX include this feature, making them comfortable right out of the box and reducing break-in time.

Last but not least, the Merrell Men's Moab mid waterproof hiking boot features a slip-resistant Vibram TC5+ sole, ensuring that your feet will grip on any wet surfaces. If you hike over rocky ground or muddy trails, the Merrell Moab 2 will keep you moving forward.

Other Merrell Moab 2 versions

We now go deeper into our analysis of different versions of the Moab 2 for both men and women. Let’s see which one of them suits you best!

Merrell Moab 2 Mid GTX

The Merrell Moab 2 mid GTX will keep your feet dry. 

The Merrell Moab 2 mid GTX will keep your feet dry

The Merrell Moab 2 mid GTX includes a waterproof GORE-TEX membrane. This new technology will keep your feet dry from all the rain and puddles while making the shoes incredibly breathable. The GORE-TEX linings also last through years of extensive use.

The Moab 2 GTX comes in two different heights for the shaft: regular Merrell Moab 2 GTX and Merrell Moab 2 mid GTX (Mid means the shaft covers up to the ankle, while others have more sneaker-like designs).

Merrell Moab 2 Mid waterproof hiking boots

The Merrell Moab 2 mid waterproof hiking boots.

The Merrell Moab 2 mid waterproof hiking boots

The Merrell Moab 2 mid waterproof hiking boots feature Merrell’s M Select DRY protection for moisture resistance. And unlike the GORE-TEX, the Merrell Men's Moab 2 mid waterproof hiking boots include a performance suede leather upper.  

Merrell Moab 2 ventilator review

Merrell Moab 2 ventilator review: This model is ideal for a hot summer day hike.

Merrell Moab 2 ventilator: This model is ideal for a hot summer day hike

If you care about breathability and moisture protection, the Merrell Moab 2 ventilator might be the best hiking shoes for you. It is lightweight and allows heat to escape through mesh panels in the performance suede upper. The Merrell Moab 2 ventilator reviews show that this model is ideal for a hot summer day hike.

Merrell Moab 2 vegan review

Merrell Moab 2 vegan is made entirely of vegan material. 

Merrell Moab 2 vegan is made entirely of vegan material

If you care about reducing landfill contribution through recycling, then the Merrell Moab 2 vegan reviews rate this version highly. The boots are carefully crafted with completely vegan material for both men and women. They are extremely comfortable to wear and ready for hiking right away.

Merrell Moab 2 Mid WP hiking boots women’s review

Merrell Moab 2 mid WP hiking boots women’s review is positive. 

Merrell Moab 2 mid WP hiking boots women’s review is positive

Like every Merrell Moab 2, the Merrell Moab 2 mid WP hiking boots women’s review gets positive marks for their consistency and comfort right out of the box. They are suitable for moderate day hikes, especially in hot weather, due to their support and breathability. These boots are your best choice if you don’t want to overthink the buying process.

Alternative Choices

Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX

Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX is one of the most highly-rated hiking boots. 

Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX is one of the most highly-rated hiking boots

The Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX can withstand any weather. They are also a great choice if you want to pick up the pace in rough, muddy, or slippery terrains. The Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX review gives good ratings for comfort and breathability.

They weigh 1.93 lbs, so a few ounces less than the Merrell Moab 2 mid waterproof hiking boots. The boots’ upper breathes well, letting out moisture under heavy hiking or trailing activity.

The Salomon shoes deliver great stability with their stiff outsole and the molded shank. They are well-known for their traction ability. You don’t have to worry when climbing on wet or muddy rocks because the Salomon x Ultra 3 GTX will grab onto loose terrain. These reasons are why the Salomon x Ultra 3 GTX review is our favourite hiker for wet conditions.

La Sportiva TX4

La Sportiva TX4 is best for both hiking and climbing.

La Sportiva TX4 is best for both hiking and climbing

The La Sportiva TX4’s leather upper and sticky sole makes it one of the best climbing hikers on the market. If you love to climb over rocks and small edges, the TX4 is the right fit for you. The product provides protection and comfort on the trail with remarkable climbing ability.

They also deliver ample water resistance in the rainy season and superb breathability on warm days. The La Sportiva TX4 is a great choice for hiking in wet brush or across snowfields. One thing to consider before choosing the La Sportiva TX4 is that if you have narrow feet, the TX4 may be too roomy. If you’d like good, rugged, and durable waterproof hiking shoes, then this model may be the right choice for you.

Keen Targhee III Low Hiking Boots

Keen Targhee III Low Hiking Boots are stable & grippy hiking shoes with a wide toe box.

Keen Targhee III Low Hiking Boots are stable & grippy hiking shoes with a wide toe box

Keen has been a long-time brand in the hiking footwear industry. If you develop a taste for style and flexibility, then the Targhee III is made for you. Using softer and higher quality leather with little break-in period, the Keen Targhee III remains popular with many hikers and backpackers.

Weighing 2.26 pounds for a US men’s size 11, the Targhee III is on the heavier side. However, it is a rugged hiking shoe designed with high durability. The outsole performs well on either wet or dry trails, with average traction. If you love to venture off the trails on rocky tracks, then we think the Keen Targhee III might be a good choice.

Final Words

We hope you found some really useful information after reading our Merrell Moab 2 mid review. To sum up, we love these shoes because they are warm-weather hikers with excellent out-of-the-box comfort at a reasonable price. They give a customized feel, and will last you a long time. The Merrell Moab 2 mid waterproof hiking boots are definitely a great bargain for any beginner hiker.

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