Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid Hiking Boots - Men's

Comments about Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid Hiking Boots - Men's:

I've had these a couple of months now and have used them in conditions from a day trip in the Santa Cruz Mountains to a three day trip in the Alps. I've really had no complaints throughout. I also feel that they were plenty warm, even when it was near freezing out, so I wouldn't necessarily classify them as just a summer boot.

Fit/Feel:
These felt great right out of the box. The body is super lightweight and flexible, so there's no uncomfortable rubbing on the tongue. Also, this is one of the few boots that I've tried that doesn't rub at all in the heel. In spite of the light walls, I feel that the sole is rugged enough not to feel uncomfortable on rocky ground. In fact, I feel more stable because I'm lighter on my feet and can actually tell what I'm standing on.

Water-resistance:
I treated mine with some of that DWR stuff, and it works fine for an occasional quick dunk in a puddle. If they are exposed to water for any real time, though, they do get wet. That includes hiking through wet grass or snow. But hey, they don't claim to be waterproof, quite the opposite. The plus side is that they ventilate so well that even if they get wet, they dry out while you walk. With a decent pair of wool socks, I was comfortable throughout. My feet sweat _a lot_ so I actually prefer this approach. Even with "breathable" goretex boots, my feet always end up soaked from the inside (and blistered).

Support/Function:
These are not heavy duty backpacking boots. I've never had any ankle problems, so the support thing didn't bother me, but if you tend to roll your ankle you may want to only use these for day hikes. They are very very light, which will help you go fast, but will not hold your foot in place the way a sturdier boot will.

Bottom line:
Great ventilation, perfect for hikers with sweaty feet. Good for traveling fast and light, especially over scrambling terrain. If you're hiking in the rain or carrying 60lb loads all the time, look elsewhere.

Comments about Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid Hiking Boots - Men's:

I used these boots on a 12-day backpacking trip in Arctic Alaska (the Brooks Range) in June 2007. Why a 'warm-weather', non-Goretex, ventilating boot in Arctic AK? After research I decided that many stream crossings meant water would often breech my boot tops. Pre-trip controlled experiments showed that my GTX hikers took 3 days to dry out completely, Moabs did so overnight. So it was in the Arctic-I soaked these boots every day and every morning they were dry! No more than 10-15 minutes' hiking after soaking, my feet were warm (even while wet); no discomfort. No problem given my 55lb backpack, either. Sugoi boot covers (bicycling) over the Moabs kept rain out; this combo was still 1lb lighter than my GTX hikers. My only caution: not a good choice for high-altitude summits on granite talus--I don't think they would take the banging-up of a heavier leather boot, and they felt too flexible when traversing highly angular slopes. They're great on-trail and general bush-whacking (which was Arctic AK). Learn 'moisture management' for your feet, and these will become your favorite pair of hikers.

Comments about Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid Hiking Boots - Men's:

It is true, as some reviewers say, that these boots are not water-resistant. Two responses: there is no claim that they are, and they dry out very quickly in warm conditions.

These boots are so comfortable that they almost feel like slippers; no breaking-in is necessary for almost any person.

Durability is the only real shortcoming. These boots helped me climb several rugged Wyoming peaks over two weeks very comfortably, but they were beaten almost to worthlessness by the time it was over.

People who have a tendency to turn ankles (I do) may feel that this boot lacks sufficient support; that is the price of comfort and lightness.

My bottom line: these boots are great if you want to go fast and light and can sacrifice durability, and they are great for trail hiking in warm weather.

Comments about Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid Hiking Boots - Men's:

I bought these because they were breathable for hot summer So. Cal. peak bagging. I always hike (even during summer) with wool socks on the outside, sock liner inside, and I pre-bandage ankle, arch, and big toe before I leave the house, also I add lotsa baby powder in the shoe. Otherwise, i get blisters on my tender feet.

The shoe sole insert that came with it is a piece of cardboard that provided no support, take it out and its worse. REI guy recommended Superfeet orange or green, those made it even worse.

EVENTUALLY I went to a cheap shoe store and got those gel inserts. That was my last hope. This combo magically worked.

I would not use these for backpacking, as they have no shank and after 5 miles on the trail, you feel the trail gravel. They are not mid-weight, these are lightweight.

They are one step above sneakers high tops. They are breathable, although on a few occasions downhill, I have felt some hotspots and had to change socks.

No issues with the lace or the metal lace hooks as others reported.

I didn't expect waterproofing or gortex from desert sand boots, so that part met my expectation.

I have small feet, wear size 6.5 mens shoes, so for hiking boots size 7 mens is just right, considering I wear thick double socks. Most shoe makers stop at size 8. so my options are limited.

I use them regularly, although its high maintenance what I had to customize to get them working for me. Now that they are broken in, they are soft but I feel the gravel pebbles.

tender small feet can't get no comfort.

Get these shoes only if are limited by the small size availability, and you realy need ventilation.

Do not get these shoes for backpacking, or as-is comfort.

Comments about Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid Hiking Boots - Men's:

I hiked Half Dome over the weekend. It was my first "real" hike. With about 35 lbs on my back and no break in time for these boots, I didn't get one blister. As a matter of fact, the only time I thought about my feet is when the guy in front of me kept slipping on the loose rock near the cables. I never slipped once. I did put some gel inserts in before I went. That was the only adjustment. I don't know a lot about hiking boots but I do know that I went 17 miles in on day on these and my leg muscles were the only thing that was hurting!

Comments about Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid Hiking Boots - Men's:

These are awesome boots. I am a geology major and I frequently travel up rough, jagged, slippery you name it type of rocks and so far, they have not slipped or made my feet feel uncomfortable. I really like the mesh too, I was in about a foot of mud and water and my feet got soaked, 45 minutes later my feet were pretty dry which was nice. Overall these are pretty awesome boots.

Comments about Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid Hiking Boots - Men's:

Great fit for my feet. Very comfortable over the several days of hiking in RMNP - 46 miles of hiking between 8,000' and 12,700'. Prior to RMNP, I wore these on a daily basis for 6 months, including many day hikes in my area. Very comfortable on the rocky terrain and quite breathable. WARNING: Get new insoles. The insoles that come with these are cheap and will eventually wrinkle near the heels, causing blisters on long hikes (15+ miles). I recommend Superfeet, which were fabulous. Superfeet insoles + Merrell Moab Mids = perfection.

Comments about Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid Hiking Boots - Men's:

This boot has two serious problems:
1. The strap type lace loop broke after only three long hikes. There is no way to repair it. This means that the boots can no longer be properly laced.
2. The heel cup is not properly designed, at least for my feet. It causes blisters, no matter what combination of socks/lacing is used. This occurs in hikes of 5+ miles. I have never had this problem with other boots in over 40 years of hiking.

Comments about Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid Hiking Boots - Men's:

I have like 10 pair of Merrells and oddly I've never been a huge fan, but they seem to make the boots and shoes I need when I need them. I bought these on a whim, to have a pair of light, ventilated boots for kicking around in during the summer. They fit the bill, they were like slippers right out of the box. They're great for everyday use, but I don't think I suggest taking these off road, there's no real support.

Comments about Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid Hiking Boots - Men's:

I started buying Merrel's a few years ago. I was looking for a walking/cross training type of shoe. I tried on every shoe at REI and decided the Merrel's were the best fitting.

A few years ago there was an obvious change in the some of the materials and the over-all quality of the show. I will not buy Merrel's again. Initially the shoes usually feel comfortable, but the the interior quickly breaks down and the shoe feel loose and my foot moves around in the shoe. They are a cheap shoes at a premium price.

HIKING: I went hiking at Waterville Valley this past weekend wearing my Merrel's. I knew instantly that these shoes were not for hiking. I felt every single rock/pebble on the trail. One the way down the mountain, my toes banged into the front of the shoe with every step.

Merrel Moab, Chameleon, radius...and any other with a similar sole are not for hiking....unless you idea of a hike is walking on a smooth dirt road, but even then you have to deal with the way Merrel's break down quickly.

I also had a the entire sole of a pair of Merrel's separate from the shoe. This occurred within a few weeks of owning the shoe and wearing them as my daily shoe...no hiking involved.