Seeking a merrell moab 2 vent review? Welcome to Tradclimbers. We hope this post will be of assistance to you. Merrell's original Moab has become legendary, and the current “2” is a continuation of that tradition. To get directly to the point, the Moab 2 Ventilator received overwhelmingly positive comments from our testers after being tested in Utah's Canyon Country and subsequently in Washington's Cascade Mountains. The Moab may not have the most athletic design, but it does have a good, broad base, is pretty comfortable, breathes well, and is one of the best buys on the market at $100. In the sections below, we've divided down our experiences with the Moab 2.
Contents
Pros:
- Outsole with good grip.
- The ability to be able to change (backcountry and city walks).
- It's easy to get in.
- Affordable.
- The arch of the foot is helped by this.
- Durable.
- Lightweight.
Cons:
- Heel slippage
- Not breathable
- Lacks cushioning
- Narrow
Are Merrell Moab 2 Vent Waterproof?
Yes, when you slip your feet into the Merrell Moab 2, you'll be reminded of why these shoes have been so popular for so long: their resilience. They are comfortable right out of the box. In addition, feature a cushioned collar and tongue, a supportive footbed, and enough flex to be worn on the trail right away.
One of the most noticeable characteristics of the contemporary Moab shoe's growth is its enhanced footbed. You now have enough arch support, and the contoured heel cup keeps you firmly in place when walking. Aside from that, there is more cushioning in the heel, which gives a surprising amount of trail isolation as well as underfoot protection.
After a few miles, the extra padding appears to be a little tall and weird. In addition, it gives the shoe a more customized feel as the miles add up. Also, it is likely what adds to the exceptional comfort on long trail days.
Weight
For years, the Merrell Moab shoes have been known as a moderately lightweight hiker, and the newest edition continues that legacy. The non-waterproof Ventilator weighs exactly 2 pounds for a pair of men's size 9 shoes on our scale, which is ideal (slightly more than the listed weight of 1 pound 15 ounces).
The waterproof low-top variation adds only 2 ounces to a pair of hiking shoes. So, this is competitive in the normal hiking shoe market. For example, Oboz's Sawtooth II Low weigh one pound 15.2 ounces and Keen's Targhee Vent weighs one pound 13.6 ounces. Thus, making them the lightest alternatives available (the waterproof Targhee III is 1 lb. 14.8 oz.).
Furthermore, more weight can be saved by opting for a trail running-inspired model. For example, the Salomon's X Ultra 3 (which weighs just over two pounds) or the X Raise (which weighs just over five pounds). The Moab 2 has superb weight-to-comfort ratio and is an excellent choice for most hikers and backpackers.
Stability and Support
We could not write our Merrell Moab 2 vent review without taking about support. The Moab 2's target audience is day hikers, and as a result, the shoe only provides moderate stability and support. The Moab 2 is less prone to ankle rolls on rough terrain than running shoes.
In addition, both the mid-height boot and low-top shoe variants have significant flex underfoot around the collar. Thus, a more flexible shoe is frequently more comfortable. That being said, the Moab isn't ideal for carrying heavy loads while hiking. Also, steer clear of climbing long and steep inclines or navigating hazardous terrain.
One of the most noticeable modifications between the Merrell Moab 2 and the previous model is the introduction of two silicon bands. The material runs lengthwise across both the inside and outside of the foot. So, the objective of these bands is to provide extra rigidity. In addition, reducing the probability of an ankle rolling.
Thus, quantifying the differences that have emerged from this design change has proven difficult.
Traction
Merrell did not change the tread design or the Vibram rubber compound from the original Moab when designing the “2” version. In our opinion, it's a fantastic choice because the dependable outsole has shown to have a long lifespan. In addition, it provides excellent all-around grip on both rock and dirt terrain. That being said, the tread design is a little disorganized. For example, the peculiar mix of circles, open channels, thin and thick lugs, and other components. That being said, it still serves its purpose well enough.
In terms of traction, I give the Moab an A-plus. I anticipate that they will be a good suit for the majority of day hikers and moderate-difficulty peak baggers. The Merrells weren't the most secure shoes we'd ever worn on rock. That being said, they were a little slippery when going around the canyons outside of Moab.
Yes, the tread did a wonderful job sinking into soft mud and dirt back in the Pacific Northwest. Closely spaced lugs, on the other hand, tend to cake up in the muck of early season puddles. Furthermore, the shoe works wonderfully on descents. That being said, it is a major step down from a serious hiker. We feel a better option is the Salomon X Ultra 3's angled tread, which digs deeply into the ground at the heel.
Waterproofing
Because we were wearing a non-waterproof shoe, our normal stream diving and wet-weather testing became more of a sock-soaking experience. Because of the substantial use of mesh in the shoe's upper, moisture that passes through the outsole's sides will begin to soak into the shoe. Waterproofing had to me mentioned in this Merrell Moab 2 vent review. Who likes to have wet feet right? We know we don't.
Merrell, like the previous generation, offers two waterproof options for this model: an in-house M-Select design and Gore-Tex. Despite the fact that we haven't had a chance to test these models, we believe that the M-Select (also known as the Merrell Moab 2 WP) is an excellent choice for the majority of day hikers looking for a waterproof hiking shoe. Both shoes are watertight, but the Gore-Tex shoe costs $20 more ($145 for the shoe and $155 for the mid-height boot). The Gore-Tex shoe is expected to give slightly more breathability at a slightly lower weight, but both are quite impermeable.
Build Quality and Durability
The Moab has proven to be fairly sturdy after only a few months of use in terms of durability. Although our trip left a few permanent scrapes around the toe cap, the shoes appear to be in fantastic condition overall. The mesh along the upper material is a potential weak point, however we haven't experienced any tearing signs on this model yet. Although the previous Moab model was a reasonably trustworthy hiking shoe, especially for a lightweight design, the current Moab 2 appears to be equally as robust, with an exceptional build quality.
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