Merrell Moab
Mid Hiking Boots Review
And after wearing a pair of
Merrell Moab Mid
Gore-Tex hiking boots through the spring and early summer, I
have to say that my feet give these bad boys a big toes up!
While not completely waterproof (I’m not sure any shoes are)
these Merrell’s do a good job of holding out the water unless
you completely immerse them in a stream or river for minutes at
a time. And these hikers are lightweight, well-made, have good
ankle support and quite comfortable even after many hours out on
the trail.
What They Are
The Merrell Moab Mid Gore-Tex hiking shoes are over-the-ankle
hikers that that will get you up the trail and back without blistering your
feet or twisting up your ankles. They’re intended for day hiking in warm or
wet-weather. They’ll keep your feet dry even in a downpour, and their Vibram
multi-sport soles are stable and hold traction even when portaging a yak or
canoe up a steep and muddy trail.
I live in Colorado, which has some of the
best mountain hiking terrain in the U.S. I've hiked to the summit of
more than a dozen of the state's 14,000 foot peaks, and on four of them I
was wearing my Moabs. And every time I came home with feet that I didn't
have to soak in a hot bath tube just so I could make it into work the next
morning. That's more than I can say for some of the hiking boots I've owned
in the past.
The Merrell Moabs are made with waterproof Dura leather and mesh uppers, and
a Gore Tex inner lining “bootie” that keeps your feet dry and is breathable
at the same time. This last point is important in a hiking boot, at least
for me, as I hate spending hours on a rugged hike with my feet trapped in
sweaty shoes that don’t breath. In fact the linings on these shoes are
treated with some sort of antimicrobial shield that helps keep foot odors at
bay, which is another plus in my book.
While not feather lite, at about 2 pounds the
Merrell Moab Mid hiking boots
aren’t blocks of concrete either. They have good arch support from a molded
nylon arch, air cushion pockets in the heels to absorb some of the shock and
pounding, and the over-the-ankle design supports your ankles without
restricting foot movement.
My only nitpick with the Morrell Moad Mid hiking boots is the fact that
after about a year some of the Gore-Tex waterproofing loses some of its
effectiveness. I’ve noticed recently that they let in a little more water
than they used to, but I suppose this is to be expected with any shoe that
gets a lot of heavy use in adverse conditions. And overall they still keep
my feet dry and comfortable unless I go fording across a river.
This is my third pair of Merrell shoes, and I have to say I’ve never been
disappointed by the design or quality of workmanship. The company has a
well-deserved reputation on both counts, and you really do get what you pay
for with these shoes.
The Best Place To Buy A Pair
The Merrell Moab Mid Gore-Tex hiking boots are available in most of the major outdoor recreation stores like REI or Dicks Sporting Goods. You can also buy them online, and the best price that I've found on this particular item is on Amazon.com.
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