If you’re not too concerned about the weight of you boots consider the Keen Venture Mid WP, which offer more stability and fantastic support for marginal increase in weight (a few ounces). Comfort Rating The wide toe box and flexible sole are great for running. On my hikes, in particular the training days, I like to up the tempo and run for between ½ and 1 mile. Alternating between running and walking allows me to cover more distance and is a great way to improve cardio conditioning. These Merrell boots are not designed as an alternative to cross country running shoes, but they are a great halfway house for anyone looking to add some speed work to their hiking and training.

Merrell | Moab 2 GTX Mens Walking Shoes | Beluga

Based on our measurements, the lugs are 4.2 mm deep on this Merrell shoe, a little deeper than the average 4.0 mm. The sole is made from Vibram rubber, a good move on Merrell’s part as this is the same material used in the first model and, in my eyes, the one of the best options for hiking boots. There is enough rigidity in the soles to give added support to your feet and prevent a loss of sensation when walking. What I mean by this is that the soles provide the flexibility necessary to give you an almost natural feeling when walking in them. status. UK residents only. W&M Wholesale Limited acts as a broker and offers finance from a restricted range For over 15 years, the Merrell® Moab has been the choice of hikers when a choice needs to be made, making it the bestselling hiker in the world. Famous for its out-of-the-box comfort, durability and all-purpose versatility, its predecessors have enabled 25 million people to step further outdoors.

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This creates a heel-to-toe difference of 13.3 mm in the Moab 2 GTX which is a little higher than the average 11.6 mm. Thus, you might feel like the heel sits a little higher in this Merrell shoe. Delivery timescales are based on working days; Public Holidays, Saturday's and Sunday's are NOT classed as working days. This doesn’t bode well for carrying heavy loads with this shoe, without much support you’re at risk of rolling your ankle. I would suggest going a half size lower and maybe trying the wider width if you’re worried about getting a squashed forefoot.

Merrell | Walking Boots, Sandals and Shoes | Sports Direct Merrell | Walking Boots, Sandals and Shoes | Sports Direct

On a lighter note, people with various foot shapes are going to feel comfortable inside the shoe's toebox. It feels spacious enough. I think you’ll agree that, so far, these boots get a huge thumbs up. I need the right and you’re right, they do. Now let’s get down to a really important factor: the price. I’ve been using one form or another of Merrell hiking boot models since the late 90s. My experiences of their hiking gear can only be described as varied. Since I first pulled on a pair of their Trail running shoes I’m happy to say that overall quality has improved massively. The Merrell Moab 2 GTX is able to add more comfort to day hikes. With a low profile silhouette, a soft, plush midsole, and world-renowned waterproofing, the Moab 2 GTX is perfect for the short-distance hiker who respects their feet. Measuring the widest part of the toebox, we found it to be 98.3 mm whereas the average is 98.9 mm. It narrows down slightly toward the toes but doesn't end up squeezing them.Stepping on the heel, it feels as if the shoe has an Air Cushion, which sounds a lot like a Nike brand feature. But in reality, after cutting the shoe in half, it turned out to be just a gap in the heel! On a positive note, rubber durability looks promising on the Moab 2 GTX. We measured its hardness to be right in the middle range of hiking footwear. For me it’s a personal choice, if you know you’re walking somewhere with a couple of puddles and occasional rain, maybe the Gore-Tex works for you. If you know your feet are going to face some liquid challenges, maybe opt for the more breathable pair without Gore-Tex. The non-waterproof Merrell Moab 3, for example. The Merrell Moab 2 GTX is quite light In terms of durability, with a few months of use the Moab is holding up really well. Our trip to Utah left a few permanent scrapes along the toe cap, but otherwise the shoes look as good as new. A potential area of weakness is the mesh along the upper material, but we haven't had any signs of tearing yet. The previous model was a pretty reliable hiking shoe—particularly for a lightweight design—and the build quality appears just as good with the newer Moab 2. This can be really useful on shorter hikes where you can rely on your footwork being consistent. It adds to the comfort of the overall experience and is definitely refreshing if you’re used to hiking boots.

Moab 2 Review: The Ultimate Beginner’s Hiking Boot? Merrell Moab 2 Review: The Ultimate Beginner’s Hiking Boot?

My hikes and treks have taken me to some pretty extreme destinations, and my Moabs have travelled with me. On most terrain, the cushioning has proven more than adequate. The padded tongue is very effective for preventing the discomfort that comes when the laces are pulled in tight. Lots of options: low-top shoe or mid-height boot, and two types of waterproofing or non-waterproof models. Some of the moisture build up was sweat, so I can grumble too much. To add this, much of damp came from water splashed up over the top of the cuff as I wasn’t wearing gaiters. Kinetic Fit™ ADVANCED removable contoured footbed with reinforced heel cushioning for medium supportWhen we hear the name ‘GORE TEX’ we tend to think waterproof. This isn’t always the case. Unless your feet are encased in rubber there will be some inevitable water ingress. To really test the Merrell Moab 2 waterproof claims I wore them on a four hour hike – in pouring rain (the best weather to hike in!). For the first three hours my feet remained dry. By the end of the day’s hiking booth my feet were damp, though not soaked.

Merrell Moab 2 GTX Review (2023) | RunRepeat Cut in half: Merrell Moab 2 GTX Review (2023) | RunRepeat

The lacing system is a combination of heavy nylon duty loops and four hooks at the top of each boot, two on either side. I know some people don’t like these types of systems, but it’s one I’ve used for a very long time and, overall, I’m pretty happy with it. The layout and construction make it easy to pull your boots on and get a nice tight fit with just a couple of tugs. Simple and effective lacing system Using a smoke-pumping machine, we assessed the amount of smoke passing through the upper of the Moab 2 GTX. On a 1-5 scale, where 1 is the most breathable, we rated it as 2. Those boots have only just reached, as a technologist would say, end of life. I got over 20 years of hiking and hillwalking from my Karrimor KSBs.However, when I went to buy a new pair of Karrimor boots I found that, since the company outsourced their footwear manufacturing to the Far East, the fit and quality is far below what it used to be. All applicable customs and import duties and any other charges are the responsibility of the customer. Sliding your feet into the Merrell Moab 2 is a reminder of what has made these shoes so popular for so long. It’s truly comfortable right out of the box with a cushioned collar and tongue, supportive footbed, and enough flexibility to take straight to the trail. One noticeable area of improvement in the latest Moab shoe is the refined insole. You now get decent arch support, and the molded heel cup holds you nicely in place. Moreover, there is extra padding in the heel that offers a surprising amount of trail isolation and underfoot protection. This additional cushioning felt a little tall and funny at first but gives the shoe a customized feel as the miles add up and likely contributes to the impressive comfort over long trail days. Best-in-class Vibram® TC5+ outsole for optimal traction and performance on any terrain, in any condition. Kinetic Fit™ ADVANCED removable contoured insole with reinforced heel cushioning for medium support