A good hiking shoe, but with a short life-span
I'm on my third pair of these hiking shoes, which tells you something about their appeal, and also something about their relative lack of durability. I find these wear out within 12-16 months. The soles themselves are sturdy enough and hold up reasonably well for what is essentially a clunky running shoe with a Vibram sole. In my experience the first thing to wear out is the fabric lining of the shoe, particularly around the heel cup, followed some months later by the nylon uppers at the flex point.On my feet, the Moabs are very comfortable and lightweight compared to some other hiking/access shoes I have owned. They are also relatively inexpensive. However, when you consider the much longer life-span of welted leather boots which can be resoled numerous times, ... MoreI'm on my third pair of these hiking shoes, which tells you something about their appeal, and also something about their relative lack of durability. I find these wear out within 12-16 months. The soles themselves are sturdy enough and hold up reasonably well for what is essentially a clunky running shoe with a Vibram sole. In my experience the first thing to wear out is the fabric lining of the shoe, particularly around the heel cup, followed some months later by the nylon uppers at the flex point.On my feet, the Moabs are very comfortable and lightweight compared to some other hiking/access shoes I have owned. They are also relatively inexpensive. However, when you consider the much longer life-span of welted leather boots which can be resoled numerous times, it's best to remember the old adage: "You get what you pay for." My leather hiking boots are over 20 years old and have been resoled 3 times. They are the most comfortable boots I've ever owned. Well worth the money if you expect to be hiking on rough ground, over talus blocks or down scree slopes. Still, I must admit, the Moabs are nearly perfect for smooth, dry trails in the summertime.... Show more
Murray R.
originally posted on altitude-sports.com
Better than hiking in trail running shoes
For years I hiked in trail running shoes, but a few years ago I decided to purchase dedicated, low cut hikers for those easy hikes where boots are overkill. These are my second pair of hikers and I really like the firm, stability they provide. They don't get hot like my Salomon GTX hikers did. They have excellent traction on loose surfaces and run true to size if not a bit wider. Pair these with a pair of Darn Tough Light Hikers and you'll be good for a full day on the trail. Aside from being on the firm side and not as light as a pair of trail running shoes, these also pick up small rocks easily, so off they come before walking into the house. They breathe well and the laces stay tied so what more can you ask for. All in all, after about 20 miles of hiking, I'm ... MoreFor years I hiked in trail running shoes, but a few years ago I decided to purchase dedicated, low cut hikers for those easy hikes where boots are overkill. These are my second pair of hikers and I really like the firm, stability they provide. They don't get hot like my Salomon GTX hikers did. They have excellent traction on loose surfaces and run true to size if not a bit wider. Pair these with a pair of Darn Tough Light Hikers and you'll be good for a full day on the trail. Aside from being on the firm side and not as light as a pair of trail running shoes, these also pick up small rocks easily, so off they come before walking into the house. They breathe well and the laces stay tied so what more can you ask for. All in all, after about 20 miles of hiking, I'm glad I bought these and probably will never hike in running shoes again.... Show more
RunLikeADog
originally posted on REI
Changed from another brand and haven't looked bac
I bought these shoes to replace my X-Ultras and they are working out great. The liner inside the shoes is very soft and very slick and work well with my socks with no friction whatsoever. The souls are much more durable than the other brand of shoes that I purchased. I have to buy specific shoes because I have plantar fasciitis and many of the shoes in flame my plantar fasciitis but so far these have been great and have not caused a resurgence in my problem. One thing buy a pair of good shoelaces with these the original shoe laces broke with him 30 days or so on both shoes. The casing on the original factory shoelaces is terrible.... Show more
Rogerthat
originally posted on REI
Merrell MOAB 3 Vent
Delivery and service from Altitude always top notch. Shoes themselves should be good for everyday use and light hiking. Very good grip and comfortable. Will have to wait and see how well they hold up.I find the Moab 3 fits my foot better than previous Moab 2 version. Prior to this pair I have been buying Salomon for my light hiking shoes for many years, as they fit my foot better than the previous version of Merrell. Trying the Merrell's again as Salomon has very few options left that do not have a waterproof membrane. I find waterproof light hiking shoes very hot and avoid them. I have real hiking boots for anything serious, and waterproof the leather as required.... Show more
Keith C.
originally posted on altitude-sports.com
Moab 3 part THREE!
I am on to my 3rd pair of Moab 3's. They are light and durable. I tend to be rough on shoes so I typically get 2 years out of them. I can't speal very highly of the factory insoles, so they get tossed. I replace them with a pair of Pulse Plus Met insoles by PowerStep. These insoles make my Moabs feel like I am wearing slippers! The REI clerk pointed out to me that Merrell came up with a better lugged sole than my last pair. This is DEFINITELY and improvement over my previous pair because the lug pattern evacuates dirt and mud quicker than my last two pairs. Nothing worse than hiking on a mudding trail, slipping, and busting your a.... well, you know what I mean. :-)... Show more
Johnster
originally posted on REI
Newly redesigned Moab 3 is terrible. Terrible!
I've been wearing the Merrill Moab for so many years I can't recall. Possibly a couple of decades. I'd go through a pair every 6 months and would know when to replace them when my knee and hip bursitis would begin to act up. The former Moabs were the only thing that enabled me to walk the 5 miles a day I do religiously. But these new Moabs are the worst shoe for walking / hiking I've ever worn. They boast using recycled materials... perhaps that's why they offer such horrible all-round support? After only 2 months of wearing them, with my orthotic inserts I use, so I kept all variables consistent, my hip and knee bursitis is back with a vengeance. After 2 months I can no longer wear these. A complete waste of money. I just bought a pair of Keens from REI and will be ... MoreI've been wearing the Merrill Moab for so many years I can't recall. Possibly a couple of decades. I'd go through a pair every 6 months and would know when to replace them when my knee and hip bursitis would begin to act up. The former Moabs were the only thing that enabled me to walk the 5 miles a day I do religiously. But these new Moabs are the worst shoe for walking / hiking I've ever worn. They boast using recycled materials... perhaps that's why they offer such horrible all-round support? After only 2 months of wearing them, with my orthotic inserts I use, so I kept all variables consistent, my hip and knee bursitis is back with a vengeance. After 2 months I can no longer wear these. A complete waste of money. I just bought a pair of Keens from REI and will be back to walking again pain free.... Show more
MaryAnne
originally posted on REI
Not what they used to be
I've been gearing up with this shoe for decades and I have noticed that over the past several years they have lost their once high level of quality.I purchased two pairs about 10 months ago, the waterproof moab and the Gortex moab.The first thing you will notice is that they do not have the comfort they used to have. The bottoms are so thin that you feel everything you walk on, whether gravel, roots, rocks, whatever. The first thing you should do is remove the insoles and throw them directly in the trash. Even with new Spenco inserts they still don't have enough meat to soften the feel.I'm a lifelong hiker and as mentioned, have used the Merrell products for ever.I think I have purchased my last pair. Quality has literally tanked over the past several years ... MoreI've been gearing up with this shoe for decades and I have noticed that over the past several years they have lost their once high level of quality.I purchased two pairs about 10 months ago, the waterproof moab and the Gortex moab.The first thing you will notice is that they do not have the comfort they used to have. The bottoms are so thin that you feel everything you walk on, whether gravel, roots, rocks, whatever. The first thing you should do is remove the insoles and throw them directly in the trash. Even with new Spenco inserts they still don't have enough meat to soften the feel.I'm a lifelong hiker and as mentioned, have used the Merrell products for ever.I think I have purchased my last pair. Quality has literally tanked over the past several years and I can't see spending the money on a product that they have decided to take shortcut after shortcut to reduce the cost of manufacturing in order to maintain profit. Why not at least provide reasonably decent inserts. The sides of the shoes blow out more frequently than in the past as well.It is typical of manufactures these days to slowly, piece by piece lower their quality, maintain price and too bad for the consumer.Time to move on.... Show more
Cagger
originally posted on REI
Shockingly surprised in the best way
I've never fit Merrell shoes, the lasts were always a bit too narrow for my regular 10.5 D width feet even with thin or medium Smartwool. The new Moab 3 men's hiking shoe is a perfect fit for me! I always swap in black Superfeet, but the Moab 3's insole has just the right amount of arch support and cushion. Can't remember the last time I kept a hiker's factory supplied insole.Each 10.5 men's shoe weighs 465 grams each. No heel slippage, toebox spacious enough for swelling yet are not sloppy no matter the temperature or weather (some shoes constrict or contract when wet or humid, etc). And this may seem trivial, but the laces do not come untied nor need double-knotted. It's the little things...The Moab 3 is a true hiker. It's not an urban ... MoreI've never fit Merrell shoes, the lasts were always a bit too narrow for my regular 10.5 D width feet even with thin or medium Smartwool. The new Moab 3 men's hiking shoe is a perfect fit for me! I always swap in black Superfeet, but the Moab 3's insole has just the right amount of arch support and cushion. Can't remember the last time I kept a hiker's factory supplied insole.Each 10.5 men's shoe weighs 465 grams each. No heel slippage, toebox spacious enough for swelling yet are not sloppy no matter the temperature or weather (some shoes constrict or contract when wet or humid, etc). And this may seem trivial, but the laces do not come untied nor need double-knotted. It's the little things...The Moab 3 is a true hiker. It's not an urban exploring/travel/casual/mixed-use shoe. It has a very solid sole and lug pattern that I found needs a trail's everchanging undulations to bring the shoe to life. It's very stable side to side (no IT band pain from unsupportive shoes), does well on loose over hard and when surfaces are uneven such as dried mud. With such good footing on gravel, sand, dirt, I was worried it'd be a slippery accident on water. Not so! They would not be my choice as a do-it-all for airports, cement jungle, pavement pounding (after about 5 hours the shoes felt a little softer). Thankfully that's not what Merrell designed the Moab 3 for. They are a great-fitting lightweight hiker that does so many things so very well.... Show more
kreativecid
originally posted on REI
Subpar at best, frustrating at worst
While they certainly work as boots, the Merrell Moab 3's are wildly uncomfortable and not particularly well suited for the kind of hiking or backpacking that I do. The boots themselves have a very wide mouth and are very low cut. They practically invite any small rocks or pointed brush to get stuck inside them. Additionally, the wide mouth of the boots often leads your feet to slip around as you make any descent. The boots also provide little to no ankle support, which made them exceptionally uncomfortable. However, despite all these issues, the boots are still able to be hiked in. I was able to hike around 8 miles in them on one particular trip, and while they weren't particularly comfortable, I was still able to complete the trip at a relatively quick place. ... MoreWhile they certainly work as boots, the Merrell Moab 3's are wildly uncomfortable and not particularly well suited for the kind of hiking or backpacking that I do. The boots themselves have a very wide mouth and are very low cut. They practically invite any small rocks or pointed brush to get stuck inside them. Additionally, the wide mouth of the boots often leads your feet to slip around as you make any descent. The boots also provide little to no ankle support, which made them exceptionally uncomfortable. However, despite all these issues, the boots are still able to be hiked in. I was able to hike around 8 miles in them on one particular trip, and while they weren't particularly comfortable, I was still able to complete the trip at a relatively quick place. Another major benefit of the boots is their breathability. They're incredible lightweight and breathable, and while that doesn't outweigh the cons of the boots, it certainly makes them marginally better. Ultimately, I wouldn't recommend these particular Merrells, unless you really enjoy low-cut boots.... Show more
Rhys
originally posted on REI
Wears out very quickly
I had a set of Merrells I bought in Switzerland. Hiked around Europe for 18 months on uneven cobbled pathways,up and down mountain trails and parks and they continued to last me for several years after that. So having had a good experience with the brand I bought another pair from Anaconda when my old ones eventually wore out. However these more modern ones didn't even last me 12 months. I just used them to walk around the suburbs on flat footpaths but they wore out very quickly. The rubber soles in these more modern versions are made from inferior rubber and foam compared to the older ones I had.... Show more
Walker
originally posted on anacondastores.com