Merrell Moab 2 Mid WP - Women's Review
Compare prices at 3 resellers Pros: Well-padded ankle, comfortable, breathable
Cons: Lacks support underfoot, lacing system is not very durable
Manufacturer: Merrell
Our Verdict
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Merrell Moab 2 Mid WP - Women's | |||||
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Awards | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
Price | $134.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $159.95 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $219.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $142.73 at REI | Check Price at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Well-padded ankle, comfortable, breathable | Good traction, very comfortable, ankle padding, waterproof | Comfortable, durable, very cushioned, stable, supportive, lightweight | Very water resistant, durable, incredibly lightweight, sleek design | Comfortable, lightweight, durable, inexpensive |
Cons | Lacks support underfoot, lacing system is not very durable | Runs big, excess padding in tongue | Expensive, take some time to break in, can be warm on hot days | Problematic fit | Lacks support of larger, heavier boots |
Bottom Line | For a simple, comfortable, and inexpensive boot, this pair is a great choice | This best-in-its-class boot combines lightweight technology with all the versatility a modern boot should have | Designed for long-distance hikes with heavy loads, this model is designed to maximize support and comfort | These boots are lightweight, sleek, and durable - designed for technical and varied terrain | The best iteration of this model yet |
Rating Categories | Moab 2 Mid WP | X Ultra Mid 3 GTX | Kaha Gore-Tex | Alpenrose Ultra Mid GTX | Targhee III Mid |
Comfort (25%) | |||||
Support (20%) | |||||
Weight (15%) | |||||
Traction (15%) | |||||
Water Resistance (15%) | |||||
Durability (10%) | |||||
Specs | Moab 2 Mid WP | X Ultra Mid 3 GTX | Kaha Gore-Tex | Alpenrose Ultra... | Targhee III Mid |
Weight Per Pair (Size 7.5, in lbs) | 1.96 lbs | 1.83 lbs | 1.91 lbs | 1.47 lbs | 1.80 lbs |
Upper | Suede and mesh | Suede leather, nylon | Full-grain leather | Breathable mesh/ coated fabric | Oiled nubuck leather |
Width Options | Regular, Wide | Regular | Standard | Regular | Regular |
Heel height (mm) | 35 mm | 32 mm | 54 mm | 32 mm | 35 mm |
Shaft height (mm) | 124 mm | 121 mm | 140 mm | 127 mm | 125 mm |
Midsole | EVA | Dual-density EVA | EVA | EVA | Dual Density EVA |
Sole | Vibram TC5+ | Contagrip rubber | Vibram MegaGrip | Michelin 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.
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.
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.
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.
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