These hiking boots were tested on a three-day trek across Teton Crest, and Merrell delivered again with a solid model featuring excellent arch support and a comfy midsole.
Our Verdict
It is a hiking boot designed to provide good traction, comfort, and protection for most trail runners and backpackers.
These boots come with a waterproof membrane designed to keep your feet dry in rainy weather. In my experience, many hikers find them feel more solid than other options out there.
That said, the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof boots are a bit heavier than some alternatives specifically made for long hikes, which often come in lighter versions.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof review to see how they performed during our testing.
If ankle support is not something you are looking into, check our review of Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof, where we analyzed the low-cut version of the same shoe.
Highlights
| Feature | Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof |
|---|---|
| Weight | ~2 lbs 4 oz (approx. 1,020 g) per pair (men’s size 9) |
| Water Resistance | Waterproof membrane; effective in light to moderate conditions |
| Traction | Vibram® TC5+ outsole with 5mm lugs; excellent grip on various terrains |
| Comfort | EVA foam midsole; Merrell Air Cushion in the heel; good cushioning |
| Adjustability | Traditional lacing system with metal eyelets; secure fit |
| Breathability | Moderate; mesh upper allows some airflow |
| Durability | Suede leather and mesh upper; abrasion-resistant; suitable for light to moderate use |
| Arch Support | Moderate; suitable for neutral to slightly overpronated runners |
| Toe Protection | Protective rubber toe cap; adequate for most trail conditions |
PROS
CONS
Things We Tested When We Reviewed Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof
1. Durability
Durability is one of Moab’s strong suits, and it’s evident in these boots. The Moab 3 is made with genuine pig suede, one of the toughest materials used for premium hiking footwear for both women and men.
This material pairs well with the rubber heels and toe protection box, which are built to resist abrasion.
Even after exploring the technical terrain of the Teton Crest Trail and using these hiking shoes around the house, I haven’t seen any major scratches or issues with the material.
2. Traction
Have you seen our case study? We found that thicker-sole boots, including the Merrell Moab 3 Mid, improve stamina compared to the slimmer-soled shoes we tested.
The Moab 3 Mid pair comes with a Vibram® TC5+ outsole with deep lugs and quite an aggressive tread pattern that makes it efficient on slippery areas.
Walking in these hiking boots on a rainy day will give you stability and solid grip not to keep your muscles clenched every inch of the road.
What I noticed, though, is that the lugs tend to collect mud and lose a bit of the grip, but this only happens if you go well off the path.
3. Weight
While these Moab boots aren’t the lightest hiking or trail running shoes on the market with just over 2 pounds per pair (we weighed a size 7 model), their average weight is not necessarily a downside.
For me, the extra weight offered more support, and since this model includes an EVA foam midsole, I could perform better on more difficult trails.
4. Comfort
When it comes to ease of wear, these hiking boots are top-notch. The soft suede adapts to your feet effortlessly, and the mesh lets just enough breeze in to keep your feet cool but not overheated.
The roomy rubber cap at the front offers comfort for your toes and shields them, which is a blessing on trails filled with tricky roots and stones.
The boots offer excellent flexibility for your adventures, complete with a cushioned tongue, a snug fit around the ankles, and a contoured insole that cradles your foot with great arch support, all at a great price.
5. Breathability
This hiking footwear has a breathable mesh upper with small webbing loops that combine with suede, providing good breathability in moderate heat and on short to medium-length day hikes.
Wearing them on mountain paths was comfortable, with good airflow that helped sweat evaporate and prevented skin rubbing.
Yet, as with most hiking shoes featuring a waterproof lining, when the sun blazed, my feet suffered.
6. Waterproofing
For this hiking boot, Merrell doesn’t use the Gore-Tex liner you will find in more premium models but goes for an in-house developed waterproof liner instead (there’s also a Gore-Tex lining version the company offers for a slightly higher price – the Moab 3 Mid GTX).
Based on my observation, if you go trekking in the summer, late spring, and early autumn, this waterproofing level is the right one.
The suede repels water, but when crossing creeks or a patch of wet grass, I noticed that the mesh upper material soaks it, and it takes it quite a bit to dry.
The good news, though, is that it doesn’t drip into your shoes.
7. Support
Since the Moab 3 Mid is a mid-top boot model, its collars stop just below the ankle.
This feature provides good ankle support while allowing your ankles to move and flex freely.
After putting it to the test, we noticed that the soft ankle cuff, the heel’s molded nylon arch shank, and easy-adjustable laces make all the difference, particularly during uphill or downhill hikes when high-top models just cannot do the trick.
8. Fit and Sizing
The removable contoured footbed, along with the soft suede and lace-up closure, provides plenty of room for adjustment, so usually, this boot stays true to size.
From my experience with pigskin leather boots, I knew it could take a while until they adapted to my foot’s shape, but with the Moab 3 Mid, the break-in time was no longer than a short test walk around the block.
How This Hiking Shoe Evolved?
The Moab 2 Mid Waterproof is a great boot that offers fantastic value, but the Moab 3 Mid brings a few improvements that can not be overlooked. With a focus on comfort and stability, the Moab 3 Mid features a Vibram outsole, which provides better traction on wet surfaces.
The new liners are also more qualitative and supportive right out of the box.
With a new contoured footbed for medium support as well as the Merrell Air Cushion in the heel for shock absorption and stability, the Moab 3 Mid works well on any type of terrain.
Overall, the Moab 3 Mid Waterproof hiking boot is more comfortable than the previous version and a better fit for long distances.
How Does it Compare with Other Products?
1. Oboz Sawtooth X Mid B-Dry Hiking Boots
The Oboz Sawtooth X Mid B-Dry boots weigh just about the same as the Merrell Moab 3 Mid but come with a grip difference on uneven terrain.
The Sawtooth outsole offers medium-depth lugs that don’t collect dirt the way Merrell Moab 3 does, so this boot is more efficient in rainy weather.
On long hikes, we found that the Oboz Sawtooth X Mid B-Dry boots provide better arch support. However, although they offer an accommodating fit and good cushioning, they are not as comfortable as the Merrell Moab shoe.
2. KEEN Targhee III Mid Height Waterproof Hiking Boots
The Keen Targhee III Mid is a more rugged option designed with a double-density Eva foam midsole as opposed to the Merrell Moab boot, which provides regular Eva foam only.
This extra cushioning enhances relief on longer hikes, but the Targhee 3 Mid has a drawback that somewhat offsets it.
Unlike the high-quality Vibram outsoles of the Moab boot pair, the Targhee 3 Mid is equipped with regular outsoles that offer subpar performance on slippery terrains.
Similar to the Moab pair, they are waterproof, and our research showed no difference in the waterproofing level.
3. Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX Hiking Boots
The Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid Gore-Tex boots are a great option if bad weather comes your way.
This boot features a Gore-Tex Performance Comfort membrane that perfectly seals it, allowing you to cross creeks and walk through puddles without getting wet.
As opposed to the leather construction of the Moab 3Mid, this shoe’s upper is a combination of synthetic and textile that dries faster in case rain reaches it.
We tested the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX on a 5-mile hike, and their midsole Advanced Chassis technology did a great job in providing all-day comfort.
Where Does Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Perform Better?
The Merrell Moab 3 Mid is a versatile hiking boot well-suited for day hiking and trekking in muddy conditions, thanks to its waterproof membrane and durable construction.
If you are exploring rocky or steep trails, its deep lugs and strong sole pattern will keep you out of trouble, biting into rocks and preventing slippages.
Additionally, the heel protection and wide-toe box ensure the ideal level of relief. Based on the quality of this hiking shoe and its wide toe box, we’ve placed this model as the winner of the best wide feet hiking boots.
Where Does the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Fall Short in Performance?
One potential issue with this hiking shoe is that its waterproof membrane, while effective at keeping moisture out, can also trap heat and moisture inside the shoe.
This can lead to sweaty or uncomfortable feet, particularly in warmer weather or during strenuous activities.
However, using a good pair of hiking socks would reduce this small inconvenience.
Although we found this hiking shoe to offer a good level of protection, some users described the Merrell 3 Mid as lacking sufficient arch support or cushioning for their needs, especially if they have flat feet or are prone to foot pain.
Custom Reviews
Although we primarily rely on customer reviews and our testing procedures, we still want to share some online reviews of this product with you.
Do We Recommend It?
Although pretty rugged, these mid-waterproof hiking boots have a more casual design, so they are a good choice for everyday use, as well. Plus, they are made from recycled materials, which leads to increased sustainability.
The Merrell Moab 3 Mid boots were my best friends on my multi-day backpacking trips, even if there were patches of the trail where they struggled a bit.
The sole didn’t give up when I encountered small stones or twigs on the way, and I felt the comfort provided by the Air Cushion heel cup.
The ankle rolls are well padded and soft, and the suede quickly molded to my foot’s shape, allowing me to tackle more abrupt descents without getting tired.
FAQs
The latest third-generation model from Merrell brings several new and improved characteristics, including an updated midsole with advanced EVA foam, a new Vibram® EcoDura outsole, and a redesigned upper with improved breathability and durability.
The Merrell Moab 3 was released in 2022 as an improved version of the Moab 2. The series includes one non-waterproof and two waterproof options – the Moab 3 WP with an in-house developed membrane and the more expensive GTX version.
No, I wouldn’t recommend it as I found their weight to be a significant drawback for trail running. They lack the agility and lightweight design that dedicated trail running shoes offer, leaving room for improvement in this regard.
