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Merrell Moab 2 Mid WP - Women's Review

The strongest feature is their consistency and comfort right out of the box; unfortunately they fall short in terms of durability and water resistance
Merrell Moab 2 Mid WP - Women's
Photo: Merrell
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Price:  $135 List | Check Price at REI
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Pros:  Well-padded ankle, comfortable, breathable
Cons:  Lacks support underfoot, lacing system is not very durable
Manufacturer:   Merrell
By Jane Jackson ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  Oct 31, 2019
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62
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#12 of 16
  • Comfort - 25% 7
  • Support - 25% 6
  • Weight - 10% 6
  • Traction - 15% 6
  • Water Resistance - 15% 5
  • Durability - 10% 7

Our Verdict

For years, the Moab has been one of Merrell's top-ranking shoes on the market. This version of the women's Moab 2 Mid WP is no exception. They are not as durable as some but will do the trick for moderate day hikes, or even longer day hikes carrying mid-size loads. They offer support and breathability, which is great for warm weather, but their mesh uppers may lose some of their ability to repel water over time. These boots are an excellent option for those newer to hiking or for those who do not want to overthink the boot-purchasing process. They are comfortable right out of the box, fit a wide range of foot widths, and are breathable and well-padded. There is nothing too revolutionary about these boots; it is their consistency that is their strong suit.

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Overall Score Sort Icon
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84
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75
Star Rating
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Pros Well-padded ankle, comfortable, breathableComfortable, waterproof, breathable, durable, relatively lightweightComfortable, durable, very cushioned, stable, supportive, lightweightColor options, PU monowrap frame construction, narrow and wide fit options, seamless Gore-Tex lining, longevityComfortable, lightweight, durable, inexpensive
Cons Lacks support underfoot, lacing system is not very durableBulky lacesExpensive, take some time to break in, can be warm on hot daysNo arch support, expensive, bulky, heavyLacks support of larger, heavier boots
Bottom Line For a simple, comfortable, and inexpensive boot, this pair is a great choiceThis boot is comfortable and supportive with a reasonable price tag and a lightweight designDesigned for long-distance hikes with heavy loads, this model is designed to maximize support and comfortClassic for a reason; an all-leather construction, strong support, waterproof, and sturdy designThe best iteration of this model yet, this boot combines the durability and comfort of previous versions with a more agile profile and feel
Rating Categories Moab 2 Mid WP X Ultra 4 Mid Gore-Tex Kaha Gore-Tex Renegade GTX Mid Targhee III Mid
Comfort (25%)
7
9
9
8
8
Support (25%)
6
8
10
9
7
Weight (10%)
6
8
6
3
7
Traction (15%)
6
9
6
8
7
Water Resistance (15%)
5
9
8
9
8
Durability (10%)
7
6
8
9
8
Specs Moab 2 Mid WP X Ultra 4 Mid... Kaha Gore-Tex Renegade GTX Mid Targhee III Mid
Weight Per Pair (Size 7.5, in lbs) 1.96 lbs 1.62 lbs 1.91 lbs 2.19 lbs 1.80 lbs
Upper Suede and mesh Synthetic, textile, rubber toecap Full-grain leather Nubuck leather Oiled nubuck leather
Width Options Regular, Wide Regular Regular Regular Regular
Water Resistant Membrane M Select DRY Gore-Tex eVent Gore-Tex KEEN-Dry
Heel height (mm) 1.4 in 1.6 in 2.1 in 1.3 in 1.4 in
Shaft height (mm) 4.9 in 5.1 in 5.5 in 5.5 in 4.9 in
Midsole EVA molded OrthoLite sockliner EVA DuraPU with MONOWRAP Frame Dual Density EVA
Sole Vibram TC5+ Contagrip rubber, chevron lugs Vibram MegaGrip Vibram Evo rubber Rubber

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Merrell Moab II Mid scored highly in many of our rating metrics for their simple, supportive, and comfortable design. The Vibram soles provide decent traction, but it is in water resistance and durability that the Moab II falls a tad short. The mesh sides and lacing system are areas of weakness that were a concern when looking at the longevity of these boots.

Performance Comparison



Comfort


Where the Moab II Mid shines is in the comfort these boots provide right out of the box. These boots are comfortable and well-padded while remaining light on the foot. The amount of padding in the tongue of the Moab II's makes these boots super comfortable on the top of the foot and in the ankle. We particularly enjoyed the Merrell Moab because the boot's toe box shape is very accommodating for a wide foot. All in all, the Moab II Mid provides incredible comfort in its simple, ultra-cushioned design.

Support


The Moab II Mid has a relatively low ankle shaft height, which in some cases may detract from the overall support of the boot. That aside, the Moab is constructed with an air-cushioned heel and a Select Fit.Eco+ blended-EVA footbed that provides added arch and heel support. This design provides lots of support for the heel and arch of the foot, even on long days on the trail. The heel height of the Moab is high enough to provide support, while still allowing for a bit of lateral movement. This comes in handy on uneven terrain where support underfoot is more important than having a super stiff ankle.

Though they are on the heavier side on the scale, the Moab 2 Mid's...
Though they are on the heavier side on the scale, the Moab 2 Mid's felt fairly lightweight on our feet. This is most likely due to their mesh uppers, which allow for plenty of airflow and ventilation.
Photo: Eric Bissell

Weight


Weighing in at 1 pound 15 ounces, the Moab II Mid falls on the heavier side of the majority of boots in this review. Though the Moab is heavy, it does not provide excessive padding or support. This is why the Moab II's scored a bit lower in this category since it's hard to rationalize their heaviness - their bulk doesn't add much to their design in the same way as these other heavier boots. On a positive note, the Moab II's seem to have a light feel when they are on, even if the numbers on the scale tell us otherwise.

The traction of the Moab 2 Mid is decent enough for the majority of...
The traction of the Moab 2 Mid is decent enough for the majority of hiking situations, though we found the boots to fall a bit short when it came to very loose, slippery terrain.
Photo: Eric Bissell

Traction


With Vibram TC5+ outsoles, the Moab II Mid provides enough traction to keep you upright on rocky terrain. The Moab II's uses Merrell's proprietary rubber, instead of sourcing their soles elsewhere. With this in mind, it wasn't a huge surprise that the Moab II fell a bit short in terms of traction. We found ourselves skidding out on loose gravel and dirt and didn't totally trust our feet when boulder hopping in talus.

Water Resistance


Because of their mostly mesh upper, the Moab II Mid risks falling short regarding water resistance. Surprisingly though, they performed quite well in this metric. The Merrell Moab has a low ankle height, which plays into water resistance, as water can easily leak inside, even if the upper and tongue is waterproof. Initially, the Moab II Mid's were waterproof, but we have concerns that the mesh will eventually lose its waterproof coating over time with repeated exposure to water.

The lacing system is one aspect of the Moab 2 Mid that lacks...
The lacing system is one aspect of the Moab 2 Mid that lacks durability since the eyelets are fabric, rather than leather. Comparing this to the Keen Targhee III, the Keen's are much more durable because of their integration of leather into the lacing system.
Photo: Eric Bissell

Durability


Just as water resistance was a concern with the mesh construction of the Moab II Mid, durability is another aspect of the boots' design that we were concerned with. The sides of the boot, where the toe box is the widest, is mesh and prone can be prone to blowing out quickly. Additionally, the lacing system of the Moab is made of fabric and mesh, rather than leather, which takes away from the durability of the laces.

Right out of the box, the Merrell Moab 2 Mid is comfortable...
Right out of the box, the Merrell Moab 2 Mid is comfortable, requiring very little break in period.
Photo: Eric Bissell

Value


The Moab II Mid is a boot of solid value. For the price, they will last a long time and provide comfort and support to your feet, with very little break-in time.

Conclusion


Overall, the Merrell Moab II Mid is a high scoring boot with only a few downsides. The boots are very comfortable, especially for those with wider feet. They also have substantial support in the heel and underfoot, though the ankle height is low. In terms of weight and durability, the boots' weight does not match their durability, as the boots are relatively heavy and are not as durable as boots of the same weight. That said, they feel light on the foot and are some of the least expensive boots in this review.

— Jane Jackson