REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Lightweight
Vibram outsole
Padded ankle and Achilles
Sustainably made
REASONS TO AVOID
Durability issues
Lacks support and stability
Doesn't breathe well
Merrell Moab Speed - Women's Review
This lightweight and affordable hiking shoe is best utilized for day hikes on well-maintained trails due to lack of stability in the heel
Not a bad option for shorter day hikes with a lightweight pack, we just wish it offered more support and stability under foot.
Credit: Trish Matheny
RELATED: Best Hiking Shoes for Women of 2023
Our Verdict
The Merrell Moab Speed is a very lightweight hiking shoe that feels comfortable right out of the box. Our testers love that Merrell created this shoe with sustainability in mind with tons of recycled materials, including 30% recycled Ecodura Vibram rubber that comprises the outsoles. Unfortunately, we were let down by the lack of support and stability when moving over technical and rocky terrain, in addition to the movement in the heel, which was prone to slipping out of the shoe. We were also surprised that the design, though not waterproof, lacked breathability and prevented airflow, perhaps due to all the padding surrounding the ankle. While we can typically appreciate shedding some weight underfoot, we aren't confident recommending these shoes for more than your standard day hike on a buffed-out trail without the additional weight of a pack.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Merrell Moab Speed - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  | | |  | |
| Price | $65.99 at Evo Compare at 3 sellers | $119.25 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $108.46 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $148.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $134.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Inexpensive, lightweight, Vibram outsole, padded ankle and Achilles, sustainably made | Excellent traction, very supportive, breathable design, comfortable for various foot shapes | Versatile, nimble, excellent traction, excellent waterproof protection, supportive midfoot | Lightweight, affordable, versatile, water-resistant upper, good breathability | Ample traction, highly cushioned, stable, waterproof, affordable |
| Cons | Durability issues, lacks support and stability, doesn't breathe well | Not waterproof, minor durability issues | Single-pull lacing system has limited adjustability, fit favors narrow feet, not recommended for cross-country travel, less breathable | Sizing runs small, narrow toe box, synthetic mesh upper lacks durability | Bulky design, no additional runner’s loop eyelet, durability concerns |
| Bottom Line | This lightweight and affordable hiking shoe is best utilized for day hikes on well-maintained trails due to lack of stability in the heel | An excellent choice for those looking to navigate popular trails that feature polished granite or slippery sandstone | A comfortable, supportive, and waterproof shoe that offers excellent and responsive traction in a sleek, modern package | This lightweight shoe offers the performance of a trail runner with the increased support and protection of a hiking shoe | Supportive and affordable, this tried-and-true design is well-suited to numerous foot shapes, hikers, and backcountry experiences |
| Rating Categories | Merrell Moab Speed... | La Sportiva TX4 - W... | Salomon X Ultra 4 G... | The North Face VECT... | Merrell Moab 3 WP -... |
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Support (20%) | |||||
| Traction (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Water Resistance (15%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Merrell Moab Speed... | La Sportiva TX4 - W... | Salomon X Ultra 4 G... | The North Face VECT... | Merrell Moab 3 WP -... |
| Weight (per pair, size 8.5) | 1.26 lbs | 1.42 lbs | 1.54 lbs | 1.34 lbs | 1.78 lbs |
| Upper | Mesh; TPU | Nubuck leather/1.5mm polyurethane TechLite rand/Vibram rubber toe rand | Synthetic textile | Performance mesh | Leather, mesh |
| Lining | Recycled mesh | Nonslip mesh | Gore-Tex | futurelight waterproof membrane | Recycled mesh/waterproof, breathable membrane |
| Flood Level | 3.25" | 3.5" | 3.75" | 3.3" | 3.5" |
| Midsole | FloatPro foam | Traverse Injection MEMlex | EVA | Single-density EVA | EVA |
| Outsole | Vibram EcoDura rubber | Vibram Megagrip Traverse with Impact Brake System | Rubber Contagrip | Surface Control rubber | Vibram TC5+ rubber |
| Width Options | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Merrell Moab Speed is a sporty version of the Merrell Moab 3, featuring a crossover design between a trail runner and a lightweight hiking shoe that is perfect for moderate day hikes without a heavy pack. Our testers love the sustainable design but were ultimately disappointed in the lack of support and stability for the heel, the low-quality mesh upper, the lacing system, and the lack of breathability in the non-waterproof design. Still, if you're after a lightweight and affordable hiking shoe that will offer enough support for morning dog walks or your standard, moderate hiking trail, this shoe could fit the bill.
Performance Comparison
Though this design did not receive high marks, it is available at an affordable price.
Credit: Trish Matheny
Comfort
The Moab Speed is comfortable right out of the box and requires very minimal break-in time. Extensive padding surrounding the tongue, ankle, and Achilles cradles the foot and increases comfort. When moving on the trails, we noticed a ton of "springy" cushion underfoot thanks to the 2.5 inches of foam and a removable EVA midsole that adds even more cushion to the midfoot.
Our testers found the fit to run small and favor a narrow foot, therefore we recommend sizing up at least a half size so that you'll have enough room in the toe box. Additionally, this shoe only comes in a regular fit and can not be purchased to accommodate a wider profile. The padded ankle may be of benefit to those who typically experience rubbing that results in blisters near and below the ankle.
The padded tongue adds comfort to the design.
Credit: Trish Matheny
Support
While it's clear that Merrell put much thought into creating a lightweight, supportive, and sustainably-made hiking shoe, the Moab Speed fell short of our expectations. The design features a FloatPro Foam midsole that packed out easily, especially when carrying extra weight. Additionally, there is almost no arch support, and the insole is minimal at best.
Our biggest complaint regarding this shoe is the lack of support and structure for the heel. There is literally no stability around the heel, which increases movement in the shoe and makes it prone to slipping off. While we were intrigued by the lightweight and versatile design, it's imperative to have the support and stability required when moving through technical mountainous terrain.
Though good flexion in the forefoot, this shoe failed to support and stabilize our feet.
Credit: Trish Matheny
Traction
The Moab Speed features a Grippy Vibram EcoDura outsole with a well-spaced 4mm lug pattern constructed using 30% recycled rubber. Our testers found it to perform well on groomer trails, however, it was difficult to trust our feet when moving through any technical or rocky terrain. The lug pattern simply isn't aggressive enough for us to feel comfortable recommending this shoe for anything more than non-technical day hikes without the additional weight of a heavy pack.
The design features a Vibram EcoDura rubber outsole with a 4mm lug pattern.
Credit: Trish Matheny
Weight
It was easy to award the Moab Speed high marks in this metric due to its lightweight construction. Weighing only 1.26 pounds per pair for a women's size 9, this shoe is one of the lightest we tested within a range of hiking shoes from 1.2 to 1.9 pounds per pair. Unfortunately, we found that the lightweight design also sacrifices performance, and we prefer designs that can drop weight while maintaining high performance.
Weighing only 1.26 pounds for a US women's size 8.5, this is one of the lightest shoes that we tested.
Credit: Trish Matheny
Water Resistance
We tested the non-Gore-tex iteration of the Moab Speed though it is available in a fully Gore-tex option as well. The flood level is a little lower than other shoes we tested for this review, measuring around 3.25 inches, and we found the shoe to log with water when submerged for several minutes.
While this is not a waterproof design, the shoe does well when moving through spring runoff, including saturated snow, mud puddles, and shallow creek crossings. Ultimately, we were surprised that this non-Gore-tex design also lacked breathability. Typically waterproof protection limits breathability, but since this has a fully mesh upper, we expected more airflow within the shoe to increase comfort and prevent hot spots.
The design is not fully waterproof, however, water does bead off of the mesh upper and our feet stayed dry when moving through snow melt and mud puddles during spring conditions.
Credit: Trish Matheny
Durability
It's important to mention that our testers experienced no durability issues during our testing period. That said, we remain skeptical regarding the quality of the Moab Speed. The lacing system is only reinforced with mesh and would require poking a hole in the upper if a repair was needed.
We were stoked to read about Merrell's commitment to sustainability and all the recycled materials included in this affordable design, but we can't help but hypothesize that these materials will not last as long as their beefier synthetic and nubuck leather counterparts. Out on the trails, we noticed that the mesh upper could easily snag on rocks and stumps. Overall, we don't feel comfortable recommending this lightweight shoe for any technical or cross-country terrain.
Unfortunately the lightweight design and mesh-enclosed lacing system didn't inspire a ton of confidence in the longevity of the construction.
Credit: Trish Matheny
Should You Buy the Merrell Moab Speed?
The Moab Speed is a lightweight, hybrid design between a running shoe and a hiker. Since the shoe lacks the traction and stability that we've come to expect from a high-performing trail shoe, we would only recommend the Moab Speed for day hikes that don't include carrying a heavy pack or navigating any technical, rocky terrain.
What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?
If you like the idea of a hybrid design but are after more support and waterproof protection, check out the Salomon X Ultra 4 Gore-Tex. Or if you'd like to stick with the Merrell brand but want a shoe that features better traction and a more durable and waterproof upper, check out the Merrell Moab 3 WP. If ]a little more cushion underfoot is what you're after, check out the Hoka Anacapa Low GTX. And finally, if you're willing to invest in a shoe that features an incredible performance whether out for a day hike, cruising technical and slippery terrain, or moving through early season conditions, the La Sportiva Spire GTX can do it all.
—
Trish Matheny
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