The Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof hiking boots are great options for the average hiker. They provide a reasonable amount of support and flexibility over casual hiking trails, and can even manage some rough terrain.
Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Boots
With the help of the high-performance Vibram outsole, you can walk confidently on slippery surfaces without worrying about slipping and falling.
I recently tested these boots during my trek through the Kulen Mountain in Siem Reap, and was really impressed by the durability, traction, and even the underfoot protection.
Unfortunately, these boots struggle with heavy-duty backpacking trips, lacking the proper support for your feet when carrying a heavy pack load.
That said, if you’re looking for footwear that’s comfortable on moderate hiking trails, able to keep your feet dry, and affordable, then this is an ideal choice to go with.
Below, we’ll get into the specifics of how this hiking boot fared during its testing period, how it compares to past and current products, and how others feel about it.
Specs
- Leather: 100%
- Traction: Vibram
- Midsole: Lightweight EVA foam
- Insole: Kinetic Fit ADVANCED removable
PROS
CONS
Things We Tested When Reviewing Merrell Moab 2 Mid
1. Traction
The Merrell Moab 2 waterproof hiking boots are made with a Vibram TC5+ outsole, which has a 5mm lug depth grip [1]. This means that the boot’s grip is meant to provide traction and stability on all surfaces regardless of the weather.
Now, when I tested these hiking boots on the Kulen Mountain trail, they gave me a really solid grip on the wet rocks and muddy surfaces near the waterfalls.
While they didn’t hold up as much as I would’ve liked on drier surfaces, since the grips had nothing to dig into, these shoes excel at clinging to the surfaces they’re meant to.
2. Durability
The suede leather and mesh layers hold up extremely well over rough terrain. In fact, by the time I finished my hike, the protective toe caps had no obvious signs of scuffing or tearing, despite how hard they may have impacted solid surfaces.
As a hiking boot that’s made to perform well in conditions like mud and wet rock, even the soles showed no real signs of wear or damage. After a few months of regular use, I can confidently say that these boots are made to last when used for their intended purpose.
3. Comfort
The M Select Fit.Eco+ blended-EVA gives the Merrell Moab 2 Mid waterproof its flexible design and ability to support the heels and arches of your feet.
Something I immediately noticed is that the performance suede leather and breathable mesh layers work together to reduce the need for the infamous break-in period. Combined with the contouring footbed, the boots didn’t feel awkward around my feet at all.
While the boots could provide more protection on rocky and jagged surfaces, they’re made to accommodate casual hikers on less demanding trails.
4. Breathability
The mesh panels on the Merrell Moab 2 Mid boots run along the top of the foot, near the toes, and along the sides.
Overall, my feet stayed cool and well-ventilated throughout my hike. I didn’t experience any problems with sweating or humidity, or if I did, the mesh layers did an excellent job at keeping it to a minimum.
As I approached the waterfall, the terrain became a little wetter, but these boots did better than I imagined at repelling any moisture that attempted to get inside.
5. Weight
The Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof weigh in at 2 lbs., or 4 oz., making the pair slightly heavier than some previously designed Merrell boots, which I know some people may not like.
However, while the boot is a little heavier, it makes up for this with the added protection and thick padding it provides.
Personally, the weight wasn’t a problem for me, and I don’t think that most people will really notice the difference between this boot and past products since it’s such a subtle change.
6. Waterproofing
As I said before, these shoes have breathable mesh layers along the sides, which some might think would make them terrible at protecting your feet from the water. However, during my hike, I occasionally stumbled into pools of water and realized that my socks remained dry.
Even though the outer layer of my shoes retained some moisture, the mesh layers dried incredibly fast. By the time I was clear of the water, I could hardly tell that the mesh had been wet.
I’ve also included this hiking footwear in the 4th position as the best waterproof hiking boot.
7. Support
When carrying a reasonable pack load on a moderate trail, the Merrell air cushion and nylon arch shank give a significant amount of support to the heel, while also relieving any tension from the bottom of the foot.
The shock absorber is made to support more than the hiker weighs, so I get a lot of stability out of it.
Another thing that I really like about this hiking boot, is that not only does it fit firmly around the ankle, but the footbed is contoured to my shape, preventing a lot of slipping, loose space, and blistering.
8. Fit & Sizing
As a mid-height hiking boot, the Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof provides a great fit. Between the simple lacing system, contouring, heel cups, insoles, and toe boxes, my feet feel completely safe and secure inside.
It all comes down to personal preference, but this product does come in two styles besides a mid-height. It can be bought as a low-top, losing its length around the ankle to resemble more of a traditional shoe, or as a high-top, allowing it to extend higher over the ankle.
Regardless of the style chosen, the Merrell Moab hiking boot comes in sizes that work for all foot types, wide included.
How Has It Evolved Over Time?
When compared to its original design, the Merrell Moab 2 Mid has several clear benefits over its predecessor.
For example, the original Moab was designed with an Ortholite footbed, but when compared to the proprietary M-Select Fit.Eco+, which mimics the shape of your foot, the Moab 2 gives your heels and arches even more stability and padding.
Another significant difference is that while the original Moab was designed with dura-leather, the Moab 2 is made with performance suede leather.
This means that what the Moab 2 trades in durability, it makes up for with increased flexibility and comfort. The Moab 2 lacks a break-in period, whereas the original Moab’s rigid dura-leather makes the fit around your foot a bit stiffer.
How Does it Compare with Other Products?
1. KEEN’s Targhee III Mid
Keen Targhee III Mid is made with KEEN.Dry technology, while the Moab 2 uses M-Select Dry technology.
Both products have membranes that pull water away from your feet. Additionally, they both succeed in being waterproof without sacrificing their breathability.
So, on that front, it all comes down to personal preference. However, where the Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof comes in strong is with its Vibram TC5+ outsoles.
The Targhee III uses Rubber Non-Marking outsoles, which are subpar when compared to the traction the Vibram provides in messy weather. Overall, the Merrell Moab 2 Mid comes out on top for utility and reliability.
2. Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid
When comparing the Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof against the Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid, the utility of the Moab pulls it ahead once again.
The Salomon brand has five Contagrip outsoles for every major terrain type [2].
However, the Merrell Moab 2 Mid has the advantage of being able to handle most of those same terrains with just one sole design.
This means you’d be spending less money for just one universal set of footwear.
3. Columbia Crestwood Mid
The Columbia Crestwood Mid, similar to the Merrell Moab 2 Mid, is designed with leather and mesh uppers and is meant to be worn as an all-purpose hiking shoe.
However, a glaring difference between these two products is that while the Crestwood has excellent cushioning, due to its Techlite lightweight midsole, it’s not made with the same flexible material as the Merrell Moab 2 Mid.
The Crestwood has to be worn for at least several miles worth of hiking before they start to feel natural around your feet. In terms of fit and ease of use, the Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof is superior.
Where Does the Merrell Moab 2 Waterproof Perform Better?
The Merrell Moab 2 Mid excels on simple and well-kept trails. The grips of the boots are intended to dig into surfaces like mud, snow, and loose sediment. Also, the Merrell Moab 2 Midboots display the effectiveness of their heel, arch, and toe supports at moderate hikes of up to 15+ miles and beyond.
If you want to test the maximum benefit of this footwear, then taking these on your regular day-hiking trails is a great way to see how useful all of its features are. Excluding mountainous, dry, or physically demanding hikes, these provide above-average performance all throughout the hiking season.
Custom Reviews
We want to show you what people have written about Merrell Moab 2 online even though we rely on client feedback and our testing procedures.
Do We Recommend the Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots
In the end, yes, we definitely recommend the Merrell Moab 2 Mid for hiking. My experience with these boots over the trails I’ve hiked since Kulen Mountain has been amazing.
As I’ve said before, while these boots can be used on most terrains, they perform better on simple and manageable hiking routes. The level of protection isn’t adequate enough to tackle hikes longer than a day or trips that would be better suited for heavy-duty boots.
However, for a beginner or intermediate hiker, the Merrell Moab 2 Mid lives up to its potential as an all-purpose hiking boot.
We also like that they fit on various hiking boots and footwear, giving everyone the confidence they need to walk outdoors in icy areas securely.
FAQs
The Moab boot got its name from the town of Moab, Utah, a picturesque place on the outskirts of Grand County with gorgeous mountains, trails, and national parks. However, some people think that MOAB stands for Mother Of All Boots.
The difference between the Moab and Moab 2 is that the Moab 2 makes use of performance suede leather for flexibility and an M-Select Fit.Eco+ Footbed with a nylon arch shank for increased comfort and stability.
The Merrell Moab 2 boots are made in several countries, including the United States, Dominican Republic, United Kingdom, Vietnam, and China.
Merrell Moab is such a popular shoe due to its consistently high-quality designs, affordability, and versatility, which go a long way in gaining consumer favorability.
es, the Merrell Moab 2 Gore-Tex is waterproof. The waterproof membrane seals out water from puddles and rain, while still having optimal ventilation and breathability.
