Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof

If you have bad ankles and love trail hiking, then here's the shoe for you! After a decade of wearing Merrell Moabs I'd recommend these to anybody who desires quality footwear.

I spent 30 years in the military, am very particular of my footwear, and Merrell Moabs have not let me down for the last ten years. After trying several styles of hiking/trail boots I purchased my first pair of Moabs when they became available. I recently just disposed of this pair after the shoe split beyond repair near body and sole.

My other two pair, one being the low quarter version is about 6 years old and, my newest pair almost a year old (purchased to hike the AT). Both pair perform as well as my first pair and do not fall short of my high expectations for comfort, durability, and weight.

As for the waterproof attribute combined with breathability, these shoes are tops. I've worn them in rain, snow, and high heat and never suffered a blister from friction. While the leather may absorb water and take longer to dry out mine never became uncomfortable. As for water repellency, as with any shoe, if you submerge it, it will get waterlogged. One great thing about the Moab is its ability to drain off the water rather rapidly via the mesh.

Traction wise, the Vibram sole lives up to the Vibram Mantra and outperforms most lugged hiking/trail shoes. Be it ice, snow, or mud, the design self-cleans and prevents accumulation thus preventing added weight.

All in all, I highly recommend these shoes, especially for diverse terrains any long trail like the AT. I'd much rather purchase a durable, quality shoe like the Merrill Moab, than purchase a lighter weight shoe which will cost the same and fail several times along a trail like the AT and hope there's nearby a store to replace them, so as to not risk injury to my feet.

5 STARS!   

Background

10 years, 3 pair

These hiking boots are perfect for beginner or well-seasoned backpackers. No matter if the trail is dry, muddy, underwater, snowy, rocky, sandy, or anywhere in-between, these boots held up! I would recommend these boots for anyone looking to get into backpacking or who needs to replace their well loved hiking boots.

These were my first pair of hiking boots, and I have had many since then. I bought them used from REI for $35. I was new to BPing, broke, and nervous being the only BIPOC I knew in the PNW getting into nature this way. I shopped around for a long time before finding what I wanted at the REI garage sale.

These boots were surprisingly so durable for how light they are. The laces stood the test of time, so did its waterproof status. I could trip into about five deep puddles before my socks would feel anything. And they dried out QUICK, which was reallllly important when on several day trip.

Compared to other boots I've had, these were the most comfortable; just enough padding, dried quick, tied up quick and snug, breathable and never got blisters. I also really loved the amount of ankle support, not too much where your ankles got weak, but not too little where you could hurt yourself.

Background

These were my first pair of BP boots I bought, and have worn them on every trip for the last seven years, probably over 45 multi-day trips. As I part with these boots, I have had many other types of hiking boots of the same brand, and love the sturdiness and comfortability every time. I've used this product for multi-day backpacking trips in the desert, in alpine conditions, rainy tropical forests, and everywhere in between for the past seven years.