Facts
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Subcategory
Hiking Sandals
Made of lightweight materials. They don't have much top-of-the-foot coverage so they're mostly suitable for well-maintained trails and summer hikes. Also useful for crossing rivers and streams. They come in open and closed-toe designs. See the best hiking sandals.
Hiking Shoes
The low-cut equivalent of hiking boots. Comfort is paramount in the creation of these shoes so they often have flexible materials. Generally used for day hikes. See hiking shoes.
Hiking Boots
Mid to high-cut models designed for more aggressive hikes and backpacking. See hiking boots.
Mountaineering Boots
Specialized footwear. Often insulated and used in technical routes, ice climbing or expeditions. See mountaineering boots.
Good to know
For hikes that won't last for more than a day, go with hiking sandals or hiking shoes. Tackling trails with greater challenges will require hiking boots or mountaineering boots.
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Use
Day Hiking
Shoes or boots for hikes that only last for half a day. Flexibility and lightness are the highlights of these kinds of footwear. See the best day hiking shoes and the best day hiking boots.
Backpacking
For multi-day trips with a heavy pack. Manufacturers emphasize durability and support in the creation of backpacking boots. See backpacking boots
Speed Hiking
Designed for users who want to cover a greater distance by going fast, usually with a light pack. See speed hiking shoes.
Winter Hiking
Boots that grant insulation to the user during hikes. See winter hiking boots.
Multi-sport
Mainly sandals. Aside from hiking they can be used for other purposes such as water activities. See multi-sport hiking sandals.
Good to know
Casual hikers can choose day hiking footwear or multi-sport sandals. More info here.
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Cut
Low
Shoes with a cuff that goes below the ankle. See low-cut hiking shoes.
Mid
Boots with an ankle-height cuff. They provide extra ankle support. See mid-cut hiking boots and mid-cut mountaineering boots.
High
Boots with a cuff that goes above the ankle. In the case of insulated ones, they may reach the calf. Also grants extra ankle support. See high-cut hiking boots and high-cut mountaineering boots.
Good to know
Generally, for trails that are easy to tackle, go with low-cut shoes. Go mid to high if there are more trail obstacles.
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Price$140
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Feature
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WeightMen: 14.9ozWomen: 13.1oz
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WidthMen: Normal, WideWomen: Normal
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Special editions
Summary
We spent 9.6 hours reading reviews from experts and users. In summary, this is what hikers think:
8 reasons to buy
- This hiking shoe has a satisfying, true-to-size fit straight out of the box, based on a multitude of positive reviews.
- Many owners fell in love with the Merrell Moab 2 GTX for its fantastic comfort. The stock footbed is a contributor to the shoe’s overall comfort, according to one happy customer.
- Quite a number of reviewers were impressed with the Moab 2 GTX’s waterproof performance. One of them even commented that it’s by far the best waterproof Merrell footwear to date.
- This hiking footwear made believers out of a number of users for its lightweight build, thanks mainly to its synthetic leather upper.
- Many people among Merrell’s user base found this shoe pretty supportive.
- A handful of reviewers were quite pleased with the Moab 2 GTX’s ample breathability.
- A few owners had their overall satisfaction of the shoe heightened due to its minimal break-in time.
- The freedom of mobility offered by this hiker greatly astonished one YouTube reviewer.
2 reasons not to buy
- A considerable number of owners found displeasure in the Merrell Moab 2 GTX’s questionable durability. According to one of them, the sole came off early on. Another owner reported wear and tear on the shoe’s upper after only a few days of use.
- The Moab 2 GTX has a somewhat steep asking price, and some consumers weren’t too thrilled about it.
Bottom line
Amazingly comfortable, truly supportive, and conveniently lightweight—these are the qualities that define Merrell’s Moab 2 GTX. It’s a low-cut, day hiking shoe much praised for its snug-fit design and very minimal break-in time. It also impressed users for leaving their feet nice and dry, thanks to the proprietary Gore-Tex waterproof membrane and the upper’s breathable vents made of mesh. However, some owners shunned the Moab 2 GTX for its seemingly less-than-stellar durability. Also, the shoe’s hefty price tag doesn’t work in its favor.
Rankings
Expert Reviews
Experts are hikers, who post reviews at youtube, directly at RunRepeat or at their own websites. Each expert is categorized from level 1 to level 5 based on expertise. See stats on expert reviews and how we calculate scores here.
Are you an expert? Apply to contribute here.
95 / 100 based on 1 expert reviews
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Obviously, there’s no ankle support there, but sometimes you don’t particularly need it. The inside of the shoe has got a quite high arch support. Again, we’re all different individuals so you might find that really beneficial.
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Updates to Merrell Moab 2 GTX
- The Merrell Moab 2 GTX is a product for the adventurous hiker who is looking for comfort without sacrificing mobility. It has a synthetic, suede leather upper with a mesh lining that makes the shoe light and breathable. The leather overlay around the heel zone has been updated for added support.
- The shoe is made waterproof by Gore-Tex and a bellows tongue just like the first-generation Moab GTX. There is now a synthetic leather patch partially covering the bellows tongue where the lace holder is stitched in place.
- This version now has a more streamlined lacing system. The multi-thread laces are virtually the same, but the upper eyelets come in one pair instead of two.
- The upper’s pull tab at the back of the heel has seen a minor redesign as well. It is much more rounded, and its ends are stitched further apart compared to the pull tab found on the first Moab GTX.
- The midsole is made of EVA material for stability and comfort. The outsole, on the other hand, is powered by Vibram. This proprietary outsole promises traction on tricky surfaces.
Merrell Moab 2 GTX size and fit
Merrell’s Moab 2 GTX is a day hiking shoe designed for both men and women. The men’s pair comes in sizes 7 through 16, with half sizes until 12.5. It is offered in standard and wide width. The men’s wide version is only up to size 14. The women’s shoe comes in whole and half sizes from 5 through 12. It is offered in standard width. Custom fit is achieved through the lacing system that features hook eyelets attached to the leather overlay. Adding to its comfy fit is the padded collar and bellows tongue.
Outsole
The TC5+ outsole is what gives the Moab 2 GTX traction. It has treaded segments and features 5mm lugs that promise to deliver a level of traction on various terrain types and conditions.
The outsole’s heel and front zones have elliptical lugs—most of which are hollow. These round lugs provide grip during heel landings and forefoot maneuvers. The construction of the outsole extends all the way up to the heel line, providing an extra layer of heel protection, and to the front, further reinforcing the toe rand.
Midsole
Mainly responsible for this hiker’s cushioning and stability is its EVA midsole. It holds the upper in place and is contoured in such a way that closely follows the sleek profile of the entire shoe. It provides shock absorption and comfort during ground contact, thanks in part to Merrell’s Air Cushion technology that is built into the midsole’s heel zone.
Embedded in the arch zone is a molded nylon shank. This non-metal shank is designed to give wearers a level of support and flexibility when traversing uneven terrain and off-road tracks.
Extra cushioning is provided by Merrell’s M Select FIT.ECO insole. This removable footbed has a more contoured arch and raised heel cup for added support. Its forefoot section is perforated to lessen heat buildup, while the heel zone’s underside has a cushy patch that works for the wearer’s comfort.
Upper
The Merrell Moab 2 GTX is an overall lightweight hiking shoe, thanks largely to its synthetic suede leather upper with a breathable mesh membrane. Its low-cut design, padded interior, and streamlined lacing system make the footwear agile, comfortable, and supportive. There’s also an updated pull tab on the back of the heel for easy on and off.
The Gore-Tex membrane and bellows tongue protect the shoe from water and debris, respectively. Protection from forefoot bumps and toe injuries, on the other hand, is granted by the reinforced rubber toe rand.
Additional Info
- The second generation Moab GTX, along with other hikers under the Moab name, was inspired by the national parks surrounding the city of Moab in Utah, USA. These parks are characterized by natural elegance and rough terrain.
