Merrell Moab 3 Mid Hiking Boot Review

Merrell’s Moab is about as classic as hiking boots come and an extremely popular first pair of hiking footwear for many (including multiple editors on our staff). Updated for spring 2022, we tested one of the best-selling variations—the mid-height waterproof model—which checks in at a reasonable $145 and offers a great fit and high levels of comfort for day hikes and light backpacking. It’s not a technical standout, and the cheaper build does come with some compromises in traction and weight, but it’s nevertheless a proven design at a truly excellent price point. Below we outline our experiences with the Moab 3 Mid. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best hiking boots.
 

Table of Contents

• Comfort
• Weight
• Traction
• Stability and Support
• Waterproofing and Breathability
• Build Quality and Durability
• Fit and Sizing
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Comfort

As expected from the popular design, out-of-the-box comfort is a real strong suit of the Merrell Moab 3 Mid. The padding around the collar and on the tongue is impressively thick, soft, and feels great even when cinched tightly. Additionally, the boot is flexible enough that it requires nearly zero break-in, and the sculpted insole cups your heel nicely, offering surprisingly good arch support considering the budget price. I hit the ground running with the Moab, taking it on a multi-day backpacking trip straight out of the box and dealt with no comfort-related issues. Another key to the Moab’s well-regarded comfort is its excellent fit, which includes a locked-in heel, reliable lacing system, and enough room in the toes for average-width feet to swell. This snug and secure fit was especially noticeable when climbing steep trails—I experienced no heel slippage or rubbing despite some unrelenting grades.

My main knock against the Moab—and this complaint carries over from the prior-generation boot—is that it lacks the modern and sporty feel of lighter and nimbler competitors like the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid, HOKA Anacapa, Scarpa Rush, and myriad others. It’s moderately heavy considering the collar just covers the ankle (more on this below), and it feels more like a throwback design than the running shoe-inspired models that dominate the market. If you’re aiming to cover ground quickly or prefer something that tilts more to the technical and fun end of the spectrum, you’ll likely want to look elsewhere. But if comfort is at the top of your list, we don’t think you can do better—especially for the price. 

Weight

My pair of Moab 3 Mid Waterproof boots in a men’s size 9 clocked in at 2 pounds 2.6 ounces on my scale, which represents just over an ounce decrease from my Moab 2 Mids (Merrell’s listed weight for the new version is a little less at 2 lbs. 0.7 oz.). As I mentioned above, it’s fairly hefty considering the boot’s height, which comes just over the ankle, but the generous cushioning and thicker upper material certainly are contributing factors. 

For reference, the Moab is fairly similar to direct competitors like the KEEN Targhee III WP Mid (2 lbs. 2.2 oz.) and Oboz Sawtooth X Mid WP (2 lbs. 6.8 oz.), but it’s considerably heavier than more performance-oriented designs like Salomon’s X Ultra 4 Mid GTX (1 lb. 14 oz.). And for just a couple ounces more, you can get a big jump in stability and grip with the LOWA Renegade (2 lbs. 7 oz.), but that boot is nearly double the price. In the end, the extra weight is undeniably noticeable, but it’s realistically only a downside if you want to cover longer distances and prioritize traveling fast and light. If that’s the case, you’ll either need to up your budget or be willing to make compromises in cushioning, support, and comfort. 

Traction

One of a few notable upgrades with the Moab 3 is the outsole, which got a fairly thorough revamp. Highlights include a new, stickier Vibram rubber compound and some revisions to the lugs that give it more purchase in soft surfaces like mud. In use, however, my takeaway was pretty similar to the discontinued Moab 2: It doesn’t excel in any particular category, nor does it have any significant weakness. In other words, the Moab’s design matches what the boot is meant to do: grip well on maintained trails. The lug layout isn’t super aggressive, so it lacks the bite of premium alternatives like the Salomon Quest 4 GTX, plus it isn’t as sticky on steep rock like boots that feature Vibram’s higher-end Megagrip compound. But the firm rubber should have a long lifespan, and there’s sufficient grip for most trail use. 

Stability and Support

The Merrell Moab’s level of stability matches its intended uses: The boot has a fairly wide and solid base with enough structure in the heel to offer decent lateral stability, but the shorter height and fairly flexible build in the forefoot mean it’s far from a technical standout. This shorter construction was particularly noticeable when traversing a steep slope, where the boot flexed relatively aggressively downhill—the feeling was magnified by the moderately heavy pack I was carrying at the time—leaving me wanting more support. But this was a pretty isolated case, and most of the time, the flexibility was a positive for hiking comfort. Summed up, those with ambitious plans that involve rougher terrain or hauling a heavy pack will want to upgrade to a sturdier and more confidence-inspiring boot like the Salomon Quest 4 or LOWA Renegade Mid. But for sticking to well-established trails, the Moab 3 Mid is a nice match. 

Waterproofing and Breathability

Like many entry-level hiking boots, the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof uses in-house waterproofing rather than the ubiquitous Gore-Tex liner found in most mid-range and high-end models (note: Merrell does offer a more premium Moab 3 Mid GTX for $165). The good news is that the Moab’s thick upper material and waterproof layer offer sufficient protection for creek crossings (up to about the bottom of your ankle in depth), light snow travel, and occasional rain. The upper does have a durable water repellent (DWR) coating for shedding water, but I found that the large portions of mesh were pretty quick to absorb moisture during creek crossing and in wet grass. And when the upper material did get soaked—especially the leather—it took a long time to dry, even when exposed to a fair amount of sun on the trail. 

As expected with the thick construction and budget-oriented liner, the Moab 3 Mid runs warm. This has been a positive during winter testing, but on its initial backpacking adventure in mid-June, I quickly had sweaty feet. Even on days in the mid-60s to low 70s Fahrenheit and when paired thin merino wool hiking socks, the boot’s lack of airflow was apparent. The good news is that Merrell offers a non-waterproof version of the Moab 3 Mid ($120), which features generous amounts of mesh and no waterproof layer to maximize breathability and drying times in warm temps. 

Build Quality and Durability

For the price, the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof is impressively well made: Comfort is excellent, the lacing system is well sorted and includes a metal eyelet at the top for good security, and there’s decent protection at the toes and heel (although a direct hit to the toes still stings more than I’d like). From a durability standpoint, the extensive use of mesh is a concern for those who log a lot of trail miles, and it’s a common weak point for tears over time, especially if you need to jam your feet into cracks between rocks or do a fair amount of scrambling. Additionally, while this has never happened in our testing of various Moab models, there are occasional reports of the outsole separating from the boot (likely a glue failure). That said, no piece of footwear has a perfect track record, and we think Merrell pulled off a nice combination of price and performance with the design. 

Fit and Sizing

Similar to my experience with the low-top Moab 3 (read our in-depth review here), I found the mid-height boot has an excellent fit that’s true to size. It was an ideal length to avoid toe bang on descents, and the sculpted insole and good lacing system kept me from dealing with any heel slippage (a good thing, as I have fairly narrow heels). In addition, there’s sufficient room in the toe box, and the boot never felt sloppy or uncomfortable. It’s the kind of fit that works well with a wide variety of foot shapes, which has been a key to the Moab’s success over the years. And for those with particularly high-volume feet, Merrell also offers the design in dedicated wide sizes. 

Sustainability

Footwear has lagged behind other outdoor categories in incorporating sustainable practices and materials, but the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof represents a positive step. Specifically, the latest boot’s laces, webbing, and mesh lining are now all 100% recycled to help minimize waste. Importantly, the upgrade didn't impact the shoe's performance or durability—and the price is even the same as the old Moab 2—so we consider these changes an overall win and hopefully a sign of things to come in the industry. 

Other Versions of the Merrell Moab 3

We brought the men's waterproof Moab 3 Mid along for testing, and Merrell sells the same design in a women's model. The women's Moab 3 Mid costs the same at $145 and retains an identical feature set and overall construction but comes in different colorways and has a narrower fit. Rounding out the mid-height models, the Moab 3 is also offered in a premium Gore-Tex model for $165, the Moab 2 Prime Mid ($160) that boasts an all-leather waterproof upper for added durability, and a more breathable non-waterproof version for $120. Finally, for those who don’t need the ankle-height coverage, the low-top Moab 3 comes in waterproof (either Gore-Tex or the in-house membrane) and non-waterproof variations for both men and women. 

What We Like

• At $145, the Moab 3 Mid is a fantastic value considering its proven and well-built design.
• Excellent out-of-the-box comfort with generous padding, good flexibility, and a secure lacing system.
• Impressively well made for the price, including quality materials throughout (some of which are recycled), decent toe and heel protection, and a reasonably hardwearing build. 
• Accommodating fit with enough length to avoid toe bang, sufficient room in the toe box, and a sculpted insole to prevent heel slippage.

What We Don’t

• Shorter height and fairly flexible build at the forefoot detract from overall stability on technical terrain and when carrying a heavy pack.
• The Moab grips well on maintained trails, but it’s not a standout in mud or on steep rock.
• On the heavier end at just over 2 pounds per pair and feels a little more dated than many modern, running shoe-inspired competitors.
• Thick construction and budget-oriented liner translate to below-average breathability, even in moderate temperatures (Merrell does offer the boot in a non-waterproof model).

Comparison Table

The Competition

Merrell’s Moab 3 Mid remains one of the most popular hiking boots on the market for its combination of price and performance. For $30 more, Oboz’s Sawtooth X Mid Waterproof is another well-regarded design. The Sawtooth comes in around 6 ounces heavier at 2 pounds 6.8 ounces per pair and uses Oboz’s in-house B-Dry membrane for waterproofing (which was similarly lacking in breathability), but it does pull ahead in a couple key areas. Namely, the Oboz offers better bite on rock and in mud, and it’s the stiffer and more supportive option for shuttling heavier loads over rough terrain. We did find that the Sawtooth felt pretty clunky and cumbersome on the trail, but it’s nevertheless the more capable option for backpacking. For day hikes and carrying lighter loads, however, we’d save with the Moab. 

KEEN’s Targhee III Mid Waterproof is another standout in the hiking boot market and shares similar intentions to the Moab 3. Like the Merrell, the KEEN offers great out-of-the-box comfort, uses in-house waterproofing tech, and checks in at a reasonably light 2 pounds 2.2 ounces per pair. In parsing out the differences, the Moab 2 costs $30 less but provides more in the way of stability, although the mesh-heavy build isn’t as durable or long-lasting as the Targhee’s mostly leather construction. In the end, both are great options for everything from easy day hikes to moderate backpacking trips, but we give the slight nod to the Moab for its similar overall performance at a lower price point. 

Our top-rated hiking boot this year is Salomon's legendary X Ultra 4 Mid GTX, which has a very different feel compared to the Moab 3 Mid. Specifically, the X Ultra weighs less (1 lb. 14 oz.) and has a noticeably more agile, running shoe-like personality on the trail. We also love its excellent balance of comfort, protection, and stability—and the X Ultra’s outsole performs better over a wider variety of terrain, including sloppy and wet conditions typical of the Pacific Northwest. The Moab does win out in cushioning with a more well-padded build (especially underfoot), and it’s the cheaper option by $30. But we consider the Salomon to be one of the most well-rounded hiking boots currently on the market and worth the added investment for committed hikers and backpackers. 

Next up is a newer addition to the market: the budget-friendly REI Co-op Flash. At $150, the Flash is one of only a few hiking boot designs that can compete with the Moab in price. It’s also a similar weight, offers comparable grip, and its knit upper is a nice touch for flexibility and overall comfort. Plus, the Flash gets the edge in sustainability with a recycled upper and partially recycled outsole and TPU overlay. That said, the REI is the less proven design and has a long way to go in matching the track record of the Moab. We’ve also had some issues with rubbing and discomfort due to the firm collar (it’s best to try the Flash on before buying if possible). Given that the Merrell will save you $5 and has been around for years, we think it’s the more dependable and reliable option.

Last but not least is HOKA’s Anacapa Mid GTX, which is the most premium option of the bunch. Right off the bat, we’ll note that the Anacapa is a bigger investment at $185, but it’s a sizable upgrade from the Moab in most ways, including a nimbler feel and better stability, traction, breathability, and toughness. Apart from the jump in price, the most notable drawback is that the HOKA has a polarizing look with its thick cushioning (certain colorways highlight the midsole more than others). But if you don’t mind the styling, we think the HOKA is far and away the more capable boot for those who plan to backpack more than they hike or who like to move quickly on the trail.​