Merrell Moab 2 Fully Reviewed And Rated
With an origin story that starts with an American cowboy boot added to an Italian boot manufacturing process, you can only wonder where it goes from there. Merrell shoes opened up shop with 4 core values: comfort, durability, design, and versatility. They are inherent in every design and every model of the shoe they have put into the rotation since 1981. They even kept the Wilderness boot, one of the earliest Merrell styles, in the line today. Yes, even with their signature blue laces. But they’re not on the Merrell Moab 2.
Comfortable from the moment you slide the Moab 2 onto your foot, this hiking shoe works double duty with its extra padding in the heel. It adds trail isolation and keeps the heel in place for additional underfoot protection. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The Merrill Moab 2 held the majority of the original, well-loved, details with slight improvements here and there while recognizing that an all-time favorite doesn’t need that much changing. Some simple updates and the Moab 2 is ready for trails, mud, dirt, gravel, whatever you want.
Keep reading our in-depth Merrell Moab 2 review to find out if it is worth the investment.
- Mesh upper
- Extra padding in heel
- Ready right out of the box
- Silicon bands built into the upper
- High quality rubber on outsole
- Refined insole with arch support
- Average traction in mud
- Too flexible for heavy loads or technical trails
- These are praised highly as a hiking shoe for various terrain.
- Most buyers are satisfied with the level of water resistance.
- These are protective without having as much bulkiness as other hiking shoes.
- Most think these are a good value for the cost.
- The toe box is roomy enough to stay comfortable during long days on the trails.
- The outsole is solid enough to protect feet from rocks and roots.
- With the correct size, there is enough space and give to stay comfortable on long descents.
- These have the comfortable fit of running shoes with the protection of hiking boots.
- Good ankle support to feel safe on the trails.
- A majority of buyers are impressed by the durability.
- These are recommended by buyers as spring and fall shoes, keeping feet dry and a comfortable temperature for most people.
- Buyers say these perform well as travel shoes since they can stand up to a lot of walking both on trails and in urban areas.
- Available in wide sizes.
- Unlike some shoes, the finger loop on these is sized to comfortably use.
- Most say these are comfortable straight out of the box.
- There are very few reports of blisters or hot spots.
- Buyers who have used these on multi-day hikes give 5 stars for their performance.
- Most negative reviews concern quality control or sizing issues.
- Compared to original Moabs, these are more narrow. Many buyers found it necessary to order a size or two up.
- The vast majority of reviews come from hikers. There is very little in customer reviews to judge them for other activities.
- Although the traction is good on most trails, there's a chance of losing grip on smooth, wet surfaces.
- The outsole is protective but too stiff for some reviewers who are looking for more flexibility.
- There are mixed reviews on the level of waterproofing these have.
- These are not recommended for winter use.
- For some buyers, the look is too boxy.
- Not recommended for hikers who tend to get hot feet. These lack breathability according to some buyers resulting in excessive foot sweating.
- Since these run small, there are reports of blisters from poor sizing.
- Reports of quality control issues involve weak glue, poor stitching, and inconsistent sizing between left and right shoes.
- If you are fan of the original Merrell Moab, the narrower fit of Moab 2s may be a disappointment.
- There is one report of the heel cup pushing through the cushioning during long hikes.
Outsole
With a proven long life, they didn’t need to make adjustments to increase the all-around traction. As far as design, the mix of circles, open channels and narrow and thick 5 mm lugs give excellent traction on rock and dirt.
Midsole
The sculpted insole also adds to the support of the shoe as the movement is reduced, causing the outsole and upper to flex naturally with your gait.
Upper
These bands provide additional structure and reduce ankle rolls on rough terrain. The mesh along the sides and top keep the shoe breathable, cool and dry just as the original did. If you choose the waterproof option, a layer of Gore-Tex would be just beneath the mesh, reducing breathability just a bit but keeping the moisture away from your foot.
Weight
Breathability
The mesh cutouts in the upper provide needed air flow into and over the foot, helping to evaporate any excess moisture while the Bellows, closed-cell foam in the tongue helps to keep moisture and debris away from your feet.
Comfort
The Moab 2 is an extremely comfortable hiking shoe, coming from the original favorite and combining bits and pieces of trail running technology. With the mesh and suede upper, the sculpted insole for arch support and heel comfort, EVA foam midsole and Vibram rubber outsole, this shoe has all of its bases covered. No piece doesn’t focus on your satisfaction.
The shoe has just the right amount of flexibility in the outsole and midsole to traverse rougher terrain without being unforgiving and stressful.
Style
The base color is gray but with an orange accent on the lace loops and a small emphasis on the heel. With that said, the shoe is nice-looking. Solid color with one accent throughout shows the consistency that Merrell and the Moab model are known for.
They didn’t want to take any attention away from the functionality of the shoe. The Merrell logo is also in orange along with the midsole. The synthetic mesh is a slightly lighter gray than the suede leather upper, and the tongue has a small circular orange M.
The Moab 2 is an attractive, functional hiking shoe.
Durability
The original Moab was an incredibly durable model, and this updated version is no different. The high-quality rubber outsole is thick with a 5mm lug depth for excellent traction on variable terrain.
Protection
The 5mm lugs dig into loose dirt and gravel, providing additional traction, holding your foot steady while hiking. The mesh is incredibly breathable, keeping the foot cool and dry, reducing rubbing and irritation with wet materials.
Responsiveness
Support
The heel cup seats the heel deeper into the midsole, securing it to the base of the shoe, so limited movement is allowed, securing the foot and protecting from injury. Additional arch support is built into the insole, providing even more support through the midfoot.
Terrain
Price
Traction
Flexibility
Stability
The moderately padded heel collar holds the Achilles in place and down into the heel cup for stability. The durable EVA foam provides added security and to keep the foot in the base of the shoe. With the full upper and midsole devoted to holding the foot in place, this shoe is an excellent option.
Drop
Though not a natural ride, this shoe does have a thicker midsole than most and is designed for hiking so you should expect an average drop.
Key Features
• 2 silicon bands built into upper for additional support and reduced ankle rolls
• 5mm thick tread for maneuvering diverse terrain with full traction
• Vibram TC5 Outsole for a better grip
• Closed-cell foam tongue keeps moisture and debris out of the shoe
Bottom Line
The molded heel cup and arch support, as well as the silicon support bands, are additions that add to stability and overall comfort. This shoe is well worth the investment and will last you for many miles to come. It is priced about the middle of the road but also appropriate for the technology and materials used in this upgrade.
The Merrell Moab 2 is a great lightweight hiking shoe.