Gear Review: Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Boots

Value Rating: 9 Durability Rating: 9 Overall Rating: 9 Location of Test: Black Forest Trail (PA), Columbia Gorge Duration of Test: 1 year! Product Name: Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Boots Product Brand: Merrell Best Use: Hiking or shorter backpacking trips The Full Review: The Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Boots are fantastic but unassumingly so - they perform exceptionally well, which my happy, blister-free feet always notice. The best part about these boots is how comfortable they are, as they have plenty of padding and an air cushion in the heel. This also means that breaking them in isn't bad - it only took a couple of day hikes before I felt that they had really started to adjust to my feet. On top of that, they're fairly lightweight but still sturdy - a great all-around boot! I primarily use these boots for day hiking, and this is where I think they perform best. They're plenty supportive, so I don't feel like I need to particularly worry about either slipping or twisting an ankle. Hike over rocks with ease! They include a substantial amount of mesh, which really helps them be breathable (no swamp feet here). That being said, they're also waterproof enough to handle some PNW rain and mud (although I would recommend pairing them with wool socks). The soles are thick enough that they protect my feet from feeling every rock, yet flexible enough that they're somewhat sensitive and don't feel clunky. I'm able to hike all day in these boots without my feet feeling significantly achy or sore. I did take the Moab 2 boots on a short backpacking trip in Pennsylvania - 45 miles over 4 days. They definitely still held up well but didn't perform quite as well as they do for day hikes. First and foremost, they weren't as waterproof as I had hoped. The first day of the trail included a stream crossing, and this much water paired with the swamp-like Pennsylvania climate left me with significantly wet boots for the rest of the trip. Not only did they get pretty wet, they didn't dry out well and retained enough water to feel gross. That being said, I didn't experience substantially worse blisters because of it, so that's definitely a partial win. I also didn't try spraying them with a waterproofing spray, which likely would have helped mitigate this issue. This trail also had some pretty extreme downhill sections, and I found my feet getting more blisters and aches than they ever had before. They still performed well, and I don't regret bringing them as opposed to buying new boots, but I probably wouldn't take them on a backpacking trip of longer than a week or so. The Good: Lightweight, flexible, sturdy, and comfortable! Perfect for day hiking The Bad: Not quite waterproof The Bottom Line: Overall, I love these boots! I've had them for about a year and they remain comfortable and in good shape - no damage. They are pretty versatile and are a great hiking choice - would recommend!