Merrell Moab Speed 2 GTX Review
The Moab Speed 2 GTX shoe is Merrell’s new design modelled off of their tried and true Moab. This variation is a light hiking shoe “with the latest innovations inspired from athletic hikers”. It’s designed for moderate terrain, which is perfect for my day hikes in Niagara. For the last few years I have always worn heavier hiking boots for my day hikes (regardless of the terrain), so I was very excited to try out these lighter weight hikers.
The Fit:
I have wide feet. The last 2 pairs of hiking footwear that I have bought (Merrell and Vasque) needed to be a wide width, but the regular width of this shoe was wide enough for me. It may not work for everyone with wide feet, but it is worth trying on because it might just work for you too.
An added feature to this shoe is the heel-lock lacing option which I found made a huge difference in minimizing heel lift and securing my foot. This is not a new concept or lacing technique, but for some reason I had never tried it before. This is a game changer for me! If you have issues with heel slippage, I highly recommend giving this a try.
The Sole:
The first thing I noticed before even leaving my home was the stickiness of the Vibram outsole. It was noticeable on my floor, and it did not disappoint on the trails either. The lugs on the outsole are not as aggressive as other hiking footwear, but this is a moderate athletic hiker. Merrell describes its intended purpose for “trails with some obstacles, and moderate debris, occasional speed, direction and vertical changes”.
The underfoot protection that is offered in this shoe is called the “Lightweight FlexPlate™” which provides torsional rigidity, lateral stability, and forefoot flexibility. Compared to my heavier hiking boots, I found this shoe has the perfect balance of protection, and flexibility. This allows me to feel the ground which helps with steadiness on slopes and uneven terrain. While a more rigid sole is important to reduce foot injury when carrying a load, it is not necessary for most people on a day hike with a small backpack. These light hikers are definitely my new go-to for day hikes.
Waterproofness:
I’m not one to put in much effort to side step puddles, so these Goretex lined hiking shoes are perfect! I gave them a good test by standing in some big puddles and crossing a stream and they are indeed waterproof! The Goretex liner is what makes them waterproof, but still breathable. I was also impressed with the outer material’s ability to shed the water. I think it will be quite easy to keep them clean after a hike as a result.
It is important to note that while the Goretex waterproof membrane is breathable, it is not as breathable as something that is not waterproof. So if you know that your feet sweat a lot and you do not need a waterproof shoe, a non-waterproof option might be better for you. Personally I prefer being ready for the puddles, so I just put on a pair of merino socks that wick moisture really well and I’m fine with a waterproof shoe even in the heat of summer.
Overall:
This is my new go-to shoe for day hikes in Ontario. They felt very secure on my foot, I felt very stable in them on uneven terrain, and I didn’t have any foot fatigue. They are waterproof, so no need to fear any puddles or stream crossings, but they are very lightweight so I can wear them in the heat of the summer. Although the outsole is very sticky, the only disadvantage for my use is that the lug pattern is not as aggressive as other hiking shoes.
