Merrell Moab 3 Mid Hiking Boot Review

Merrell’s Moab is about as classic as hiking boots come, and a very popular first pair of hiking footwear for many (including multiple editors on our staff). We tested the men's and women's mid-height waterproof models on several day hikes and backpacking trips throughout Washington state's wilderness, and found them to be very comfortable out of the box and reliable on maintained trails. They're not a technical standout, and the budget build does come with some compromises in traction and weight, but it’s nevertheless a proven design at an excellent price. Below, we outline our experiences with the Moab 3 Mid Waterproof. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best hiking boots and best women's hiking boots.

Editor's note: We updated this guide on January 28, 2026, to include our experiences with the women's version of the Moab 3 Mid. We also reviewed the information to ensure it was accurate at the time of publication and updated our comparisons to similar hiking boots at the end of the review.
 

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 WP. The padding around the collar and on the tongue is 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 the heel nicely, providing good arch support considering its budget-friendly price. Our male tester 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. We also had similar experiences with the women’s model during several day hikes throughout Washington state. Another key to the Moab’s well-regarded comfort is its excellent fit, which includes a locked-in heel, a reliable lacing system, and sufficient room in the toe box for average-width feet to swell. This snug, secure fit was most noticeable while climbing steep trails. We experienced no heel slippage or rubbing despite some unrelenting grades.
 

Our main complaint about the Moab—and this issue carries over from the prior-generation model—is that it lacks the modern, sporty feel of lighter, nimbler competitors. It’s moderately heavy considering the collar just covers the ankle, 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, the Moab is a solid choice, especially for the price. 
 

Weight

Our men’s size 9 weighs 2 pounds, 2.6 ounces on our scale, and our women’s size 8.5 weighs 2 pounds, 0.5 ounces. For reference, Merrell lists the same weight for the men’s and women’s models: 1 pound 11.4 ounces. Although we consider REI’s claimed weights—2 pounds 2.9 ounces for the men’s and 1 pound 12.9 ounces for the women’s—to be more accurate averages. As mentioned above, this is heavy given the Moab’s height, which comes just above the ankle. The generous cushioning and thick upper are contributing factors. 

The Moab is similar to direct competitors like the Keen Targhee IV WP Mid (2 lb. 8.7 oz. for the men’s, and 2 lb. 1.2 oz. for the women’s) and Oboz Sawtooth X Mid WP (2 lb. 6.8 oz. for the men’s, 2 lb. 0.6 oz. for the women’s) but considerably heavier than more performance-oriented designs like the La Sportiva TX Hike Mid Leather GTX (1 lb. 15 oz. for the men’s, 1 lb. 12.6 oz. for the women’s). In the end, the extra weight is noticeable, but for most people, it's 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 increase your budget or be willing to make compromises in cushioning, support, and comfort. 
 

Traction

Perhaps one of the more surprising features on this budget boot is the Vibram outsole. For reference, most inexpensive boots use an in-house rubber that generally falls short of Vibram's grip. However, the Moab’s outsole is grippy, and the lugs provide decent purchase in mud. That said, the traction wasn’t good enough for us to stray far from maintained trails. The lugs aren’t the most aggressive, and they lack the bite of premium alternatives. We also didn’t find them the most sticky on steep rock. However, the firm rubber is durable, and we found it more than sufficient for groomed trails and the occasional bushwhack.  
 

Stability and Support

The Merrell Moab’s level of stability matches its intended uses: The boot has a wide, solid base with enough structure in the heel to offer decent lateral stability, but the shorter height and flexible forefoot mean it’s far from a technical standout. This shorter construction was noticeable when traversing a steep slope, where the boot flexed aggressively downhill (the heavy backpack was a contributing factor as well). However, this was a relatively isolated case, and in most cases, the flexibility was a positive factor for hiking comfort. In summary, those with ambitious plans that involve rougher terrain or heavy loads will want to upgrade to a sturdier, more confidence-inspiring boot. 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 Gore-Tex liner found in many higher-end models. The good news is that the Moab’s hefty upper material and waterproof layer offer sufficient protection for creek crossings (up to about the bottom of the ankle), light snow travel, and occasional rain. The upper does have a durable water repellent (DWR) coating to shed water, but we found that the large portions of mesh were quick to absorb moisture during creek crossings and in wet grass. And when the upper material did get soaked, it took a long time to dry, even when exposed to the sun on the trail. Note: Merrell does offer a more premium Gore-Tex-equipped model for a slight price increase.
 

As expected with the thick construction and budget-oriented liner, the Moab 3 Mid runs warm. This was a positive during winter testing, but our male tester experienced sweaty feet on a backpacking adventure in mid-June. Even on days in the mid-60s to low 70s Fahrenheit (paired with light merino hiking socks), the boot’s lack of airflow was apparent. The good news is that Merrell offers a cheaper non-waterproof version of the Moab 3 Mid, 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 very well-made. Comfort is excellent, the lacing system is well-designed, and it includes a metal eyelet at the top for added security. There’s also decent protection at the toes and heel. From a durability standpoint, the high percentage 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. And while this has never happened during our testing of various Moab models, there are occasional reports of the outsole separating from the boot (likely due to glue failure). That said, no piece of footwear has a perfect track record, and we believe Merrell has achieved a nice balance of price and performance with this design. 
 

Fit and Sizing

Both our male and female testers found the Moab 3 Mid to fit well in their normal sizes (men’s 9 and women’s 8.5). The length is ideal for avoiding toe bangs while descending steeper terrain, and the sculpted insole and solid lacing system kept us from experiencing any heel slippage. There’s sufficient room in the toe box, and the boot never felt sloppy or uncomfortable. All told, 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 boot’s laces, webbing, and mesh lining are now all made from 100% recycled materials to help minimize waste. We hope that the next iteration of the boot uses PFAS-free waterproofing and DWR, and we’d like to see the brand achieve Fair Trade Certification, which ensures they meet high standards for sustainable and ethical manufacturing. But we’re happy to see the brand moving in a positive direction.
 

Other Versions of the Merrell Moab 3

We tested both the men’s and women’s Moab 3 Mid Waterproof for this review, but the line doesn’t end there. The mid-height models are also available in Gore-Tex versions, which are slightly more expensive, and non-waterproof versions, which are less expensive. For those who don’t require ankle coverage, the low-top Moab is available in both waterproof and non-waterproof variations for men and women. Other versions include a low-top with a side zipper for easy on and off, tactical mid-height boots featuring a cushier footbed and military styling, and a Trek Zip low-top version with a zipper down the front.
 

What We Like

• The Moab 3 Mid is a fantastic value given its proven, 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 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 a flexible forefoot contribute to reduced 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 and feels more dated than many modern, running shoe-inspired competitors.
• Thick construction and a budget-oriented liner result in 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 for its combination of price and performance. But there are plenty of options to choose from. Oboz’s Sawtooth X Mid Waterpoof Boots are another well-regarded design, offering a nice upgrade in support and durability thanks to their burly leather construction and stiff collar. Traction is also better, though the boots felt clunky and heavy on the trail. Keen’s Targhee IV Mid Waterproof Boots are another standout design, offering out-of-the-box comfort, durable leather construction, reliable waterproofing, and a high collar. That said, we had issues with the traction on the Targhee, and they also felt cumbersome on the trail. If you’re looking for an entry-level backpacking boot, the Oboz and Keen offer more support than the Moab, which matters when hauling a heavy pack. But the Moab is still the lighter choice, and much more nimble for day hikes and short backpacking trips.
 

If weight savings and technical prowess are what you’re after, check out the La Sportiva TX Hike Mid Leather GTX and Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX. The TX Hike is a well-rounded option, offering a wide, comfortable fit, a lightweight, nimble feel, and impressive durability and waterproofing. The outsole is the TX Hike's major selling point, with a grip similar to that of an approach shoe. Salomon’s X Ultra 5 Mid GTX is another stellar option, and like the TX Hike, it boasts confidence-inspiring traction, durable construction (utilizing some synthetic materials), and excellent waterproofing. In our experience, the TX Hike is more comfortable out of the box, but replacing the X Ultra’s insole for a cushier one has proved helpful. Both are more expensive than the Merrell Moab, and neither is the most supportive option for heavy-weight backpacking (the TX hike is the better of the two), but hikers who want to venture off-trail or mix in some scrambling will appreciate the durability and grip of these two options. On the other hand, beginner hikers or those who prefer to stick to established trails will find the Moab 3 more than sufficient. 
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