Men’s Merrell Moab 3 Review

Bottom Line

The Merrell Moab is a fan favorite and one of our go-to classic hiking shoes. The shoe’s comfort, durability, and excellent price point is a winning combo that’s kept Moabs on our Best Hiking Shoes for Men guide for years. CleverHiker founder Dave Collins put them through the wringer during 100+ miles of day hikes in Oregon and Washington, and Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer’s has racked up over 250 miles on his, including section hikes of the Colorado Trail and dozens of Utah slot canyons.

The Moab 3 offers robust, breathable performance from burly mesh and leather uppers, and it provides solid protection from rocks and pokey bushes. Knobby, reliable outsoles lend these Merrells excellent traction on most surfaces. Plus, they dry quickly and have great ventilation, making them perfect for warm conditions. The best part? You can wear these shoes right out of the box since they have almost no break-in period. 

However, the Moab 3’s stiff soles, traditional hiking boot aesthetic, and heavier weight may not appeal to folks who want sleeker, lighter footwear for longer hikes. Our team at CleverHiker generally prefers trail runners during warm weather for a more nimble and comfortable ride on long miles, but we get why these shoes are so popular. The Moab 3 is a home run for comfort and our pick for the best budget hiking shoe.

Comfort

We ranked the Merrell Moab 3 our top pick for comfort. We found that from the first wear, the Moab excelled at absorbing impact and reducing fatigue during long hikes, making them a great choice for most trails and most conditions. The shoe offers cushy features like a heavily padded tongue and soft cuff that prevents discomfort from pressure points and rubbing. Their long laces allow for easy adjustments to cinch the shoe tightly around our feet and lock our heels in place, making them feel super stable. And, the thick toe and heel guards protected our feet from trail hazards like rocks and roots, which meant we could keep our stride without worrying about scrapes, bumps, or bruises.

Unfortunately, the Moabs have a high heel-to-toe drop of 11.5 millimeters. For perspective, that’s the second highest of the hiking shoes we tested. If you’re looking for a minimalist or low-profile shoe, these won’t be a match. We also find the shoe’s bulky outsole can feel cumbersome on extended hikes compared to lighter trail running shoes. Despite these drawbacks, the Merrell Moab 3 is a dependable choice for day hikes and moderate trails if your top priorities are support, stability, and comfort.

Traction

With its Vibram soles, the Merrell Moab 3 is one of our favorites when it comes to traction. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer found this shoe’s lugs really thrived on off-camber trails and soft dirt – making them a great choice for technical terrain and rocky paths. During his testing, he hiked over 100 miles in the loose sand and slickrock slopes of Utah’s San Rafael Swell, where they felt secure and kept his footing steady.

However, the tread design – though it’s one of our favorite things about these shoes – is also one of the downsides. Because of the spacing and sizing, the lugs tend to collect mud and gravel, which can diminish how effective the traction is. The Moab sheds the debris relatively well, but it takes a bit of stomping and extra work. 

We also found the outsoles are thick and bulky compared to trail runners. This may be good for stability on more technical routes, but it also means the Moab 3’s soles are nowhere near as flexible or forgiving as lighter and more agile shoes. Most of the CleverHiker team would opt for more flexible trail runners on long distance trails. However, this shoe’s traction ranked near the top in our updated guide to men’s hiking shoes. 

Weight

The Merrell Moab 3 was the second-heaviest hiking shoe we tested. At two pounds 2 ounces for the pair, these certainly aren’t the lightest option, but the additional weight is the key to their comfort and protective features. The durable leather and mesh uppers and thick EVA midsoles add weight, but these materials also translate to better shock absorption and comfort, reducing foot strain on rocky trails.

This bulky design can be a downside for long backpacking trips and long hiking days, as it can lead to increased fatigue over time. Hikers who want lightweight options will want to look at other hiking shoes – or switch to the best trail running shoes. Moabs also feel a bit cumbersome on groomed trails with lots of flat, packed dirt. But, the Moabs are a great option for beginners, day hikers, and folks heading into technical terrain who need heavier shoes for heavier backpacking loads.

Durability

The Moab 3s offer decent durability thanks to their burly construction and smart design – which means fewer replacements and consistent performance over dozens of hikes. During testing, Ian found the sturdy leather uppers struck a good balance between breathability and longevity. Scrambling up a 1,000-foot gully to catch the vivid blue of Island Lake in Colorado and exploring Utah’s Ding and Dang Slot Canyons, these materials protected his feet and held up against wear and tear. These are areas well-known for their sharp, loose rocks, stabby bushes, and rough terrain, and we appreciated how the thick toe and heel guards protected the shoes in vulnerable spots. Plus,  Vibram outsoles are known for their durability, so they’re a nice upgrade for this shoe given its budget price point. 

Moabs may be among the heavier shoes we tested, but that added heft also adds some durability.

Weather Resistance

The Moab 3 is not the best choice for wet adventures. Made with blended mesh and leather, its uppers aren’t waterproof, and the mesh absorbs water quickly if submerged. That said, our tester noted the Moab dried most of the way within an hour after soaking in summer conditions. 

We like the mesh construction because it offers excellent ventilation. During testing, our shoes dumped excessive heat and avoided sweat buildup to keep our feet cool. That makes them an awesome pick for on warm or strenuous hikes. If you do encounter light rain, occasional puddles, and mild, damp conditions, they will still keep your feet somewhat protected.

For mucky and snowy shoulder season hikes and winter adventures – or just trips where there will be lots of weather – we prefer the waterproof boot version of the Moab 3. However, it sacrifices breathability and runs much warmer. Choosing the best version for you comes down to the weather conditions and trail conditions where you do most of your hiking.

Should You Buy the Merrell Moab 3?

The Merrell Moab 3 is for hikers who want durable, comfortable, and versatile shoes at an affordable price point. We like its protective leather and mesh uppers, and the Vibram rubber outsoles offer reliable traction appropriate for most surfaces. These shoes are well-suited for day hikes, light backpacking, and outdoor activities in dry to mildly wet conditions. Since they’re not waterproof, the Moabs are limited in wet, cold conditions. Still, we love the price – and the Moab 3 checks several boxes.

What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?

If you’re looking for something different, please browse our guides to the Best Hiking Shoes for Men and Best Trail Running Shoes for Men for alternatives like these: 

KEEN Targhee IV WP Review: The Targhee IVs are competitive with the Moab 3s. They’re a bit heavier, but you get superior weather resistance in the same classic hiking style, making these a better pick for wet, muddy routes.

Danner Trail 2650 Review: Similar in durability and versatility, the Danner Trail 2650 isn’t quite as cushioned or supportive as the Moab, but we prefer them for trail-to-town days.

La Sportiva Spire GTX Review: The Spire emphasizes technical performance and has a narrower, more athletic fit than the Moab. They may cost a bit more, but Spires are a better choice for off-trail hikes where durability, weather resistance, and support are top priorities.