Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX review

The Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX is one of the top hiking boot choices for those who need the following:

• a versatile boot for easy-to-moderate hikes on mixed terrain
• a lightweight yet stable and durable boot
• a comfortable boot that doesn't feel too stiff and technical on foot

If the word 'Speed' makes you expect a dynamic and springy ride of a trail running shoe with a high-top collar, you might be disappointed. With its nearly nonexistent energy return, the Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX doesn't really help propel you forward but boots like the New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro Mid GTX and the Altra Lone Peak 9 Waterproof Mid do!

And if you are open-minded towards newly emerging brands, give the Nortiv 8 DualStride Armadillo FieldLite Mid WaterproofPRO a chance. The boot offers incredible results for only £80!

The Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX offers a good middle ground between long-distance comfort and underfoot control with a balanced shock absorption of 108 SA in the heel.

Slightly above the category average, it is even cushier than the classic Moab 3 Mid boot (88 SA) and takes good care of the joints, even with a moderately heavy backpack. But make no mistake, it's not as abundantly cushioned as HOKA boots (118+ SA).

When it comes to energy return, there is not even a hint of rebound from the boot's FloatPro Foam midsole! At only 39.9%, it feels flat and muted and nothing like a high-top trail running shoe.

And while it does provide a more stable and grounded ride in return, it doesn't meet the expectations we put on a boot with the word 'speed' in its name.

Having sliced the Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX in half, we used a digital calliper to measure its stack height precisely. The tool showed an above-average reading of 40.8 mm at the heel which is much higher than the officially stated 34 mm.

Merrell promises a 30% increase in foam underfoot, but comparing the heel stacks of the Speed 1 (38.1 mm) and Speed 2, we found only a 7% increase.

At 26.9 mm, the boot's forefoot stack also proved to be taller than the stated 24 mm, the previous Speed boot, and the hiking boot average.

This offers added impact protection for the ball of the foot and the toe joints, especially on moderate, mostly hard-packed trails, which the Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX is intended for.

Subtracting the boot's forefoot stack from the heel height, we got a drop of 13.9 mm. Although it is 3.9 mm steeper than the stated 10 mm, most hikers will find this offset familiar, as it matches the category average.

The elevated heel provides enhanced heel cushioning and a more ergonomic foot position, taking the strain off the Achilles and calves while carrying a backpack.

Much like the original Moab Speed Mid, the Speed 2 remains one of the softest hiking boots in our roster. Pressing a durometer against its FloatPro Foam cushioning, we got a rather low reading of 33.5 AC!

About 30% plusher than the average, it's even a bit softer than the Boost foam on the Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 (35 AC)! We particularly appreciated this benefit on hard-packed trails.

Testing the Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX in a standard D medium width, we found the boot rather close-fitting. This first impression was further reinforced by the solid gel mould of its interior.

Measuring the mould at its widest (ball-of-foot area), our calliper recorded only 91.4 mm. This is clearly too constricting for someone with 2E wide feet or pronounced bunions.

But the good news is that this Merrell boot is also available in a wide width option.

The boot's toebox space is not particularly wide or foot-shaped, either, showing a moderate width of 70.6 mm in the big toe area.

But because it's not too aggressively tapered, it should fit most medium foot shapes just fine.

Gladly, no toe restriction comes from the top of the boot's toebox.

With a solid vertical space of 27.3 mm, we don't expect any pressure points or black toenail risks here.

Stepping on smooth or even wet rocks is not a problem in this Merrell boot as the grippy nature of its Vibram TC5+ rubber has been backed by our traction tests.

With a solid friction coefficient of 0.51, its outsole hits a sweet spot between tackiness and durability. And if you want an even more supreme bite in a similar boot design, try the HOKA Transport Hike GTX.

Intended for moderate terrain, the Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX's lugs fall within the average at 3.7 mm, based on our calliper measurements. Not a critical deviation from the promised 4 mm.

This is an optimal lug depth for mixed terrain with some occasional rocks, grass, moss, and light mud.

The Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX features flatter, more rounded lugs in the centre of the outsole to ensure comfort on the more even terrain. This setup helps get the most out of the boot's tacky rubber, clinging to smooth surfaces like rocks and boulders. 

The perimeter lugs, on the other hand, are more edgy and aggressive, ensuring bite on softer ground, as well as on ascents and descents. The boot's pronounced heel brake comes in handy on steeper downhill trails, too.

As the more nimble option from the Merrell Moab boot series, the Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX proved its decent forefoot flexibility in our stiffness test as well. At 26.0N, it required less force to bend by 30 degrees than the average hiking boot. This is courtesy of its flexible plate and more stripped-down upper construction with no burly materials or overlays.

Sure, that flex makes the boot less than ideal for any serious hiking or backpacking, but it's not what it is meant to do! Instead, its pliability is a welcome feature for those who value a more natural foot-to-boot interaction.

Its lightweight build is one of the primary reasons people choose the Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX.

While it's not the lightest boot we ever tested, it is significantly lighter than the category average at 14.1 oz (400g). And of course, it is way lighter than the brand's flagship Moab 3 boot at 17.5 oz (495g).

But, to be fair, why would the Speed 2 be heavy if its expertise lies in more moderate types of hiking adventures?

With its reliable Gore-Tex waterproofing membrane, the Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX didn't even let a faint plume of smoke pass through its toebox.

Further inspection of the boot's ripstop textile revealed no ventilation pores whatsoever, lowering our breathability score to the minimum - 1 out of 5.

We recommend opting out of this GTX boot when mid-day temperatures reach 60°F (20°C) unless you want to end up with some serious heat and sweat buildup inside the boot.

The Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX offers substantial support and stability for a hiking boot in its weight category. So much so that it can tackle challenges slightly outside of its comfort zone, like carrying a backpack of 30+ pounds (14+ kg) or stepping off the beaten path for a mile or two.

Unlike its big Moab 3 brother that features a stiff nylon shank, the Moab Speed 2 relies on a more pliable fibreglass-reinforced polyamide FlexPlate. Sandwiched between the boot's foam midsole and rubber outsole, the plate occupies the midfoot but doesn't extend to the toes to maintain forefoot flexibility.

And it needn't to really. This Merrell boot's robustness is enough to raise our torsional rigidity score to the maximum of 5 out of 5.

The boot's rearfoot is highly stiff and structured at the base, but gradually becomes more forgiving near the top of the collar.

That creates a sufficiently supportive yet forgiving heel and ankle clutch, scoring a balanced heel counter stiffness score of 4 out of 5.

Despite the Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX's more speed-oriented nature, Merrell chose not to trim its platform dimensions for stability.

Thus, the widest area of its forefoot is on par with the hiking boot average at 110.0 mm.

The same is true for the most extended points of the boot's heel. At 88.5 mm, it is no slimmer than the Moab 3 or the category average.

It's a fine balance between stability on more predictable terrain and manoeuvrability on the more obstacle-laden stretches.

Putting the boot's nylon ripstop to the test, we can officially rename it to 'Dremel-stop!' With not a hint of substantial damage after a gruelling drilling session, the boot's toebox durability earned the highest 5/5 score!

The nylon ripstop is reinforced with TPU overlays in the critical areas for extra protection. But please note that these materials are not as sturdy as the classic Moab 3 boot's pigskin, making contact with rocks and sharp vegetation more tangible for both the boot's upper and the foot inside it.

Regrettably, the boot's collar mesh was a massive disappointment, tearing completely in a matter of seconds. Expecting premature wear in this part of the boot, we lowered its heel padding durability score to the minimum 1 out of 5.

But most importantly, the Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX's outsole showed fantastic durability results with an impressively shallow post-drilling dent of 0.6 mm!

Hard rubbers like this aren't usually very tacky on smooth and slick surfaces, but we are satisfied with the balance of grip and longevity here!

Merrell also made sure that the boot's rubber layer was sufficiently thick at 2.3 mm, excluding lug depth.

A contoured, well-padded (5.5 mm thick) insole delivers direct underfoot comfort in the Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX.

But if you need to place a custom orthotic, removing the insole is pretty effortless.

We measured the softness of this Merrell shoe's midsole at room temperature and after a 20-minute freezer session. Recording a 21% increase in firmness, we can confirm that it doesn't get much harder than the average hiking boot.

And what's even better, even in its 'frozen' state, the Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX remains softer than most boots at room temperature! 

And if the dark catches you on the trail, the reflective synthetic pieces on the back of the boot will keep you visible.

The Speed boot's internal padding has been trimmed to keep the overall weight down. And yet, there is no lack of comfort with a tongue thickness of 9.4 mm.

The tongue is also gusseted all the way to the top of the boot, guarding its interiors from water, sand, debris, and pebbles.

Its upper construction leaves a rather narrow opening in this Merrell boot's collar, so a pair of large finger loops comes in handy for an easier entry.

One loop is placed at the back of the collar, and the other one sits on the tongue. Both are carabiner compatible.

We found the Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX competitively priced against boots with a similar intent: moderate hikes on moderate terrain.

It is important to mention that some of this Merrell boot's components are entirely made of recycled materials:

• laces and webbing
• internal mesh lining
• mesh footbed cover
• removable EVA foam footbed

The brand also marks this boot as vegan-friendly.