Are you looking for an affordable and functional traditional looking pair of boots for hiking and walking? Then you might want to consider the Merrell Moab 2 Mid GTX hiking boot – a firm favourite with many outdoor fun-seekers. In our Merrell Moab 2 Mid GTX Review, we’ll look at the key fundamentals and let you know how it performs on the trail.

Merrell Moab 2 Mid GTX: Table of Contents

Merrell Moab 2 Mid GTX Quick Overview

Merrell’s Moab (Mother of all Boots) is a traditional-looking hiking boot and an extremely popular first pair of hiking footwear. The mid-height waterproof model—offers a great fit and high levels of comfort for all-day hikes and light backpacking multi-day trips. It is not a standout regarding technical specifications, and the cheaper build comes with some traction and durability compromises. Still, it’s a proven design, and a great price point means it has remained popular and will continue to be among many recreational hikers’ go-to choices, with many walkers owning them, then choosing to re-buy.

Merrell Moab 2 Mid GTX Full Review

Comfort On The Trail

As we would expect from the popular design, out-of-the-box comfort is a real strong suit of the Merrell Moab 2 Mid. The padding around the collar and tongue is impressively thick, soft and feels great even when cinched tightly. Additionally, the boot is flexible enough to require nearly zero break-in time. The sculpted insole cups your heel well and delivers surprisingly good arch support considering the budget price.

A key determinant to the Moab’s well-regarded comfort is the overall excellent fit, including a locked-in heel, a reliable lacing system, and enough room in the toes for average-width feet to swell. This snug and secure fit were especially noticeable when climbing steep trails — Our testers experienced little to no heel slippage or rubbing over rolling terrain.

While the cushioning under the heel area works excellent for lessening those harsh trail impacts on rocky and rough trails, there’s less protection under the ball of the foot. The hardness could lead to some foot soreness on higher-mileage days, particularly on rough terrain. I would suggest wearing a well-padded pair of hiking socks with these boots.

Due to thick construction and budget-oriented liner, the Moab 2 Mid runs warm. The boot’s warmth is good during the colder conditions but can lead to sweaty feet in hotter summer months.

Outsole, Traction & Grip

The Vibram TC5+ outsole rubber helps to power the Merrell Moab 2 Mid GTX hiking boot. Its multi-directional 5mm lugs give you optimal grip even on uneven terrain. The lug spacing patterning prevents mud and water from getting stuck underfoot, reducing the risk of slips or ankle rolls.

This high-friction sole stuck to dry rock better than all the rest, allowing us to have fun in confidence on steep rock scrambles. It gripped above-average traction on wet rock, mud, and snow. Its drawback in this metric can be if you are going up very steep hills on a loose, dry and dusty trail or when the rocky slopes are very wet.

Foot Support & Protection

The Merrell Moab’s level of stability matches the expectations of general hikers and walkers: the boot is pretty wide and provides a stable and solid base underfoot. You’ll find just enough structure in the heel to offer decent lateral stability, but the shorter height and somewhat flexible build in the forefoot mean it’s far from a technical standout. The boot flexed a little aggressively downhill; however, the degree of flexibility was positive for hiking comfort most of the time.

Value, Quality & Durability Of Merrell Moab 2 Mid GTX

For the price, the Merrell Moab 2 is impressively well-made:

  • The comfort level on the boots is excellent.
  • The lacing system is well-designed and put together and includes a metal eyelet at the top for good security.
  • There’s a decent degree of protection at the toes and heel area.

When it comes to durability, mesh in the upper might cause concern for those who put on many miles. Over time, the upper is a common weak point for tears, especially when placing your feet between rocks on climbs or scrambling sections. However, the hiking terrain is well-maintained and very walkable; you shouldn’t have too many problems.

One other point to mention from reading other Merrell Moab 2 Mid GTX reviews, there have been the occasional reports of the outsole separating from the boot – likely a glue failure rather than a design defect. No footwear is 100% perfect, and we think Merrell pulled off an excellent blend of price and performance with the design.

Merrell Moab 2 Mid GTX Pros & Cons

  • Well worth buying when you consider its proven and well-built design.
  • There is plenty of room in the toe box area of the boot, so your big toes won't rub on the inside of the boot.
  • Feel comfortable and ready to wear out-of-the-box comfort and ready to wear straight away.
  • Ample flexibility and a locked-in feel around the foot will help you feel secure on the trail.
  • Very well-made for the price you'll pay, including a well-sorted lacing system, decent toe and heel protection, and a reasonably rugged wearing build.
  • They are accommodating fit with enough length to avoid toe bangs on sharp rocks or roots protruding the trail path.
  • Grips well on maintained trails but can struggle in muddy conditions or wet, steep rocky terrain.
  • It is on the heavier side, and the style is it does look a little dated, especially when compared to running shoe-inspired models from Inov8 or Salomon. Not everyone likes the flashy colours and designs of those brands, though.
  • The boot has below-average breathability. However, if you are walking in more cool conditions, this probably won't be an issue.

Also Available In Low & High Rise Models

Thanks again for reading our review; you might also want to check out our Berghaus Hillwalker 2 Review if you are looking for a more traditional hiking boot.

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