Merrell Moab 2 Waterproof Review

The Merrell Moab 2 is a comfortable shoe for hikers who like to day hike moderate and easy trails. The upper consists of suede leather and synthetic mesh lined with a proprietary M-Select DRY waterproof membrane. The sole features a blended EVA midsole, a molded nylon arch shank, and a Vibram TC5+ outsole.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

The Moab 2 is a comfortable hiking shoe on easy to moderate trails. Even carrying some weight, we enjoyed walking in these shoes. This model requires no break-in period and is soft. The roomy toe box is great for descents, too. This shoe could use more foot protection on rougher terrain; we could feel uneven and pointed rocks underfoot.

The lacing system consists of thick laces that feed through four eyelets of webbing with a fifth set of plastic eyelets at the top of the shoe. We loved the soft padding of the tongue, which allowed us to secure the laces tight without cutting into the bridge of our feet. Our heels felt nice and snug in the heel box as well.

These shoes didn't do much to absorb impact when dropping down onto rocks from above, and they also didn't breathe well. They are also warmer than most hiking shoes. Other hiking shoes failed to breathe well but provided better foot protection and overall comfort.

Weight

The Moab 2 is a relatively heavy shoe, weighing 2 lb. 5.4 oz. This model has a similar build to popular hiking boots and weighs as much as some of them. Great performance for a lower weight than these shoes is very possible, as several pairs, we tested fall below the weight of this model. If weight isn't an issue, better boots offer more stability and support for as little an ounce more.

Support

The Moab 2 didn't win us over with great support. Hikers who haven't built up a lot of foot and ankle strength probably prefer a shoe with better torsional rigidity when tackling rough terrain or leaping from boulder to boulder. Despite a molded nylon arch shank, this shoe twisted easier than most others tested. The height of the ankle collar is one of the lowest at 3.375 inches.

This shoe does have some positive attributes in the support and stability department. The forefoot is 4.75 inches at its widest point, providing a stable base for pushing off with power. We also liked the insole, which has an added layer of denser foam on its back half. For experienced hikers, this shoe has enough support for day hiking and overnight backpacking adventures. For extended backpacking trips, though, you'll be better off with something that has a more substantial midsole.

Traction

The Moab 2 scored at the top of the competition regarding traction. The Vibram TC5+ outsole features a unique combination of ovals, curved v-shapes, and swooping grooves, as well as varying degrees of rubber density. This high-friction sole stuck to dry rock better than all the rest, allowing us to have fun in confidence on steep rock scrambles. It gripped above-average traction on wet rock, mud, and snow as well. Its drawback in this metric was going uphill in loose, dry sediment, where its lugs didn't dig into the earth well.

Versatility

The Moab 2 offered moderate versatility throughout our testing period. It can do most things you want from a hiking shoe, but in every use or category, there was a shoe that did it better. It handles rough terrain for short periods; we found other boots to be more comfortable and supportive. These shoes look like hiking shoes, and for around town, we preferred a more subtle style. You could pick up the pace and jog in these shoes, but several other models are much more supportive and comfortable for running. Still, we liked that this shoe was capable in the backyard and on our favorite hiking trails, despite rarely being our first choice.

Water Resistance

The M-Select Dry membrane of the Moab 2 kept out water for two minutes in our waterproof challenge. After that time, water began leaking into the left and right shoes. There were three separate points of water entry; the outside of the left toe box, the inside of the left heel, and the inside of the right toe box. The water appeared to seep in where the midsole attached to the upper, as the bottoms of our tester's feet were getting wet. The mesh in the upper also absorbs water, while the leather repels liquid to some extent. The water-resistance metric is not where this model proved its worth.

Durability

At the end of the testing period, the signs of wear and tear on the Moab 2 were a few tiny nicks in the midsole and trace scuffing on the outsole. Among the less expensive shoes, we tested the craftsmanship in the Merrell shoe is superior, with higher quality mesh which is less exposed. The toe protection is also more robust, yet we prefer toe caps extending over the toe box's top to prevent delamination. We also give more confidence to double-stitched seams in high flex areas, which this model lacks. We expect the Vibram outsole to have a lot of life in it.

Should You Buy the Moab 2?

The Moab 2 didn't score well overall compared to the other high-performance shoes in this review, yet it remains a shoe well-liked by our reviewers. The popularity of this product line from Merrell indicates that many hikers aren't looking for the most aggressive, do-it-all shoe. It's a great shoe for many seasons of day hikes on trails that don't demand the highest level of support, foot protection, or water resistance (read: most trails). Merrell offers a formidable hiking shoe at a competitive price. This is a fair price for a solid shoe.

What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?

The North Face Ultra 111 WP is a budget shoe with better performance in every testing metric compared to the Merrell. It has a similar price tag and better water resistance. If you want the best for comfort, the Hoka One One Toa Gore-Tex is a better bet with the top test result for comfort. If you want the absolute highest ranking shoe, then the Salomon X Ultra 4 Gore-Tex is the better option with impressive test results in every metric, no matter what your shoe goals might be.