How to Choose Hiking Boots

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Light and versatile, these Merrell Moab Waterproof hiking shoes deliver protection from the elements in an agile, tough and trail-ready design.
Shop similar productsBest Use | Hiking |
---|---|
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Waterproof | Yes |
Upper | Waterproof leather/nylon mesh |
Lining | Waterproof breathable membrane/nylon mesh |
Midsole | EVA |
Support | Nylon arch shank |
Outsole | Vibram rubber/rubber |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 8 oz. |
Gender | Men's |
7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 15 | |
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U.S. Men's | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
UK | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 |
EU | 40 | 41 | 41.5 | 42 | 43 | 43.5 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 | 46 | 46.5 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 |
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This shoe is perfect for backpacking or hiking in a variety of terrain. I love that it is durable for rocky areas, but lightweight enough that I never feel like I'm lugging heavy boots around when I am on an easy path. They are VERY waterproof. I got caught in a serious hailstorm with minimal cover. Unlike the rest of me, my feet were completely dry. No blisters the next day! As long as the water is not above your ankles, it won't touch your feet. The only negative I have is that they are not ideal for everyday use around the city. At the end of a long day walking on flat streets my feet felt a little sore. Whereas on the trail, no discomfort whatsoever. This is the only negative I have experienced and it could just be me. This small downside is not enough to keep me from giving them 5 stars (they are hiking shoes after all). Overall great shoes, do not hesitate in buying them, they are well worth the price and will last a long time.
I have always been a diehard fan of Merrell and still stand by their non-waterproof Moab Ventilator shoes. But this waterproof Moab just doesn't make the cut. I have bought 3 pairs of these shoes over the span of 3 years, each time hoping I had received a faulty pair and the next pair would last longer, only to be disappointed time and time again. The waterproof membrane around the toe-cap wears out after a month or two of everyday use, essentially causing the shoe to no longer be waterproof. I also have had problems with the sole becoming detached in all 3 pairs. This is a good shoe if you are looking to use them a couple times a year, but not for everyday use.
Just finished my second Camino Frances, first time with hiking boots with lots of blisters. This time with lessons learned and the Moabs just 1 small blister. I trained in these shoes so by the end of the Camino (500 miles on all types of surfaces) they are pretty well worn out. But no complaints due to overall performance. A larger toe box and the addition of Superfeet inserts made for a very comfortable shoe. Some ankle gaiters would have helped keep the small stones out and perhaps the feet dryer on rain days. Grip on all surfaces is very secure, that included a lot of cobblestones, granite, slate, and asphalt.
I'm now on my 2nd pair of these (I took the first pair back, as they started to squeak in 6 mos, and REI gave me a new set), and after just over a year, they're squeaking pretty badly as well. It's a shame, as they're comfortable and go with most anything, and I've worn them walking to work many days in autumn and winter, on trips, in snow and ice, etc. But as I work in an office environment, you can hear them squeak whenever I'm up and about. I guess if you just use them outdoors, you're fine (personally, I like hiking BOOTS...these offer no ankle support), but they've been my all-around walking/exploring shoes, so the flaw is very disappointing.
I bought these thnking they would be great for the Minnesota Winter. I was dead wrong. These shoes are fine at keeping water and snow out, but they just make your feet so hot they sweat like crazy. Then the sweat has no where to go, so it makes your feet wet with sweat. Then they stink. They stink really bad. And they dont dry. So the next day you have wet sweat soak shoes that smell terrible. And yea they dont dry, EVER! I found my feet getting wet from yesterdays sweat. Just awesome. If you want smelly wet athleats infect feet buy these shoes. Made it 3 monhs with them and had to toss them in garbage becasue they were so bad.
I've worn lots of Merrell shoes and boots and have always been happy. I made this purchase from REI over the internet, ordering the same size as usual for Merrell. Woops! Had I no toes, the shoes would have fit. Luckily my local REI store took back the shoes and had a (much) larger pair that worked. The Moab is best bought only when you can try them on, since they seem to run at least a full size small. The Moab also is stiffer than the Chameleons I've been wearing, so I've been puttering around the house in them till they loosen up a bit. Other than that, usual great Merrells.
Years ago i bought my first Merrels and they were very good, thus when the time came i bought another pair. I bought this model because it was very similar to my first Merrels and it's indeed comfortable and i love it to walk and hike, but it broke on my first casual hike (less than 10km) and i returned it to REI where i was given an new pair of the same model. I have used it only for a few months, and still i haven't make any real hike, and it't broken again. The soles aren't glued as it should and they are falling apart. The quality of Merrel seems to be worse than years ago, thus i won't buy them again.
I purchased these in April 2016 and have put about 50 miles on them in the Columbia River Gorge thus far. The first three hikes I took with these it was sunny and dry. Went through a few shallow streams and all was good. Yesterday I took a hike in some light Oregon spring rain. Walked through some knee high grass/foliage for about 50 feet and these shoes were soaked through - Yikes! These are advertised as waterproof. Very disappointed as I had to hike another 6 miles in soaked shoes. Love them if it's dry, but can't use these to hike in Oregon year around because of our weather. Does Merrell have a better model for wet weather? I love their shoes, especially their sizing (extra wide options).
When a watch is listed as waterproof, the watch is not damaged by water. So in that sense these shoes are waterproof: when exposed to water, they get wet inside and out and are not damaged: i.e. you can wash them. Oh, you thought your feet would stay dry... shop on. Merrell fan boys, no hate please: I have worn out 3 pairs of the non waterproof version of these, and love them for hiking/traveling/ and last year 75 miles of the PCT in lots of loose rock: they were fine. This year knew rain was likely, so got these: yeah, maybe dry for an hour of rain, after that: soaked. So I bought the wrong shoe for serious hiking in wet conditions, but felt some sarcasm indicated, with the oh so trendy metal tag "waterproof" on the shoe.
I bought these shoes for the 6-8 mile day hikes my wife and I do most weekends. I wound up returning two pairs of these shoes as both of them failed in exactly the same way: the part of the sole on the inside of the heel collapsed and disconnected from the rest within the first 6 or 8 days I wore them. With the first pair, I thought I had just gotten a bad pair, so REI swapped them out for an identical new pair. When the second failed in the same way, just as quickly, REI swapped them for a pair of Keen Men's Targhee II Waterproof Hiking Shoes, which are both much more comfortable and more durable. Thank you to REI for having such a wonderful return/exchange policy--it really saved me in this case.