Review

These boots are keepers.

Yesterday I took my brand NEW Merrell Moab GTX Mid GORE-TEX out of the box, slipped them over my smart wool socks… and at that moment I suspected I had a winner… some 4 hours, 10 kilometres, and 1800 vertical wet and snowy metres later I knew it.

I have hiked in hundreds of boots/shoes over 5 decades and these likely have the best balance of comfort, performance and light weight I have ever trekked in.  To put it in perspective…I have used lighter, more comfortable and even better performing boots, however never in the same one piece of footwear. Merrell have been able to package all three of these attributes into one quality boot. 

I hiked on some serious ice, water, loose rock, mud, steep vertical and changing temps…  and the innovative lug pattern constructed with vibram rubber, and the mid-stiff molded nylon arch shank held firm. 

The gortex keep me dry from the elements and yet allowed perspiration to escape.

What I liked the best about these boots was the fit and tongue design. My foot sat centred on the footbed with the heal cap holding both firm and with no hot spots. The tongue and lacing design allowed for both a loose or tight fix without buckling or pinching. 

This tongue design I particularly liked. I was able to keep my boot loose on the accents and tight on the decent. This tongue design will allow for variable foot widths without performance compromise. 

I would suggest these boots for anyone looking for performance footwear at a reasonable price, for day trips or backpacking with light loads. 

I will point out that my multi-day backpack load has become lighter and lighter over the years… so also can my footwear. So these puppies will be boot of choice on my next backpacking trip!

the Moab Mid GORE-TEX® men’s hiking boot - supportive, comfortable and durable in all weather conditions

Product Overview

The Merrell Moab GTX Mid is the waterproof version of the Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid hiking boot. The appearance and specs for the two are very much the same aside from the addition of a Gore-Tex lining to the waterproof version and the fact that it comes in three colors – Dark Earth (brown), Dark Tan and Beluga (grey) – rather than just one color (Walnut) for the non-Gore-Tex version.

Merrell tells us they are the perfect match for traversing creek beds or hiking through downpours. The addition of an Aegis® antimicrobial-treated GORE-TEX® lining to the GORE-TEX® construction of the breathable mesh upper means you have even greater protection when hiking in inclement weather. Plus, the Moab Mid is a lightweight men’s hiking boot with the Vibram® Multi-Sport Plus sole, making it the perfect companion for the weekend warrior navigating demanding terrain. Purchase the Moab Mid GORE-TEX® men’s hiking boot for a supportive, comfortable and durable boot in all weather conditions.

Upper/Lining:

• Waterproof Dura leather and mesh upper
  Bellows tongue keeps debris out
  Synthetic leather toe cap and heel counter
  GORE-TEX® Performance Comfort Footwear lining protects feet and keeps them dry
  Breathable mesh lining treated with Aegis® Antimicrobial solution maintains foot comfort
  Ortholite® anatomical footbed 

Midsole/Outsole

• Molded nylon arch shank
  Compression molded EVA foot frame provides cushioning
  Merrell® Air Cushion in the heel absorbs shock and adds stability
  5mm Sole lug depth
  Vibram® Multi-Sport Sole/TC5+ Rubber
  Weight: 1 lb. 15 ozs.

Testing the Merrell Moab GTX Mids - on the winter hills outside North Vancouver B.C - Bruce 2015