Name: Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof
Brand: Merrell

The incredibly popular Merrell Moab 3 Mid has a lot of strengths, but comfort is arguably its best feature. The boot’s cushy feel is immediately noticeable when you lace it up: The sculpted heel cup locks your foot in place, and there’s substantial padding around the tongue and on the collar. In addition, its midsole/outsole combo imparts plenty of cushion: It isn’t as large and cloudlike as offerings from Hoka, but the supportive foam does a great job isolating you from the trail, effectively reducing foot fatigue. Compared to the lighter-weight Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX, which I also tested (read the Moab Speed 2 Mid review), the Moab 3 is stiffer and more thickly padded around the ankle but both earn high marks in underfoot comfort.

It’s worth noting that this boot is built with a classic leather-and-mesh upper, and the Moab 3 requires a short break-in period. While it’s initially stiff it’s not so rigid that I lacked mobility on rocky terrain during my initial outings, although I don’t recommend taking down a hot, sandy trail like I did right away; my feet swelled in the heat, which added to the discomfort of new hiking boots. Over the next few hikes, the Moab 3 showed vast improvement, with the boot becoming more flexible and the inner footbed molding to my foot shape.

Fun pose between rocks in the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Hiking Boot

I prefer a boot that’s stiff at the base, but has some give around the ankle. The Moab 3 Mid fit this bill, and felt stable overall. Even though the cuff doesn’t rise above the ankle, it’s stiff—not too stiff, though—and lent me plenty of support on uneven terrain. I quickly trusted the Moab 3, and the boot’s thick upper and solid lacing system add stability when you’re shouldering an overnight load.

While the Moab 3 performs well in this category, it’s not quite up to the support standards set by boots such as the Salomon Quest 4 GTX or the Lowa Renegade Evo GTX (reviewed here). Those boots, which have over-the-ankle coverage as well as beefy midsoles and upper designs, are what many folks want for carrying packs over 40 pounds, or on backpacking trips that last more than a long weekend.

The Merrell Moab 3’s 5-millimeter lugs are on the tall side, and saved me from slipping on some steep descents. (I especially appreciated the extra-deep lugs located at the arch-heel transition, which caught and held firm on rocks.) The lugs are grouped in a fairly tight, U-shaped pattern that arcs to the outside of the boot, and are firm enough that they’ve avoided undue wear and tear so far. I do think the bottom of the lugs could use more texture or a tackier rubber, as the Vibram TC5 compound didn’t perform very well on slickrock—an area in which Vibram’s category-leading Megagrip outsole shines. Besides that, though, this boot is plenty grippy and secure on most every surface. It performed surprisingly well on mud and handled steep, rocky terrain with aplomb.

Foot flexed in the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Hiking Boot

This boot’s durability is top-notch, and one of the Moab 3 Mid's calling cards. I’m about 30 miles into testing, and it’s lived up to expectations: The outsole looks brand new, with no wear on the lugs or toe protection. The pigskin suede-and-mesh upper also has minimal signs of wear. If there’s anything that holds this boot back from a perfect score in this category, it’s that the pigskin suede and exposed sections of open mesh rank slightly below nubuck or full-grain leather. So it’s a notch below ultra-durable—and far pricier—hiking boots such as the Lowa Renegade Evo. The Moab 3 Mid is built to hold up over many trail miles, though, and I consider it a great value for the price partly because of its baked-in longevity.

I consider the Moab 3 among the best boots on the market for warding off trail bumps and bruises. Its toe bumper is substantial and I didn’t experience any pain when I hit roots or rocks toe-on. The boot’s sides also offer heavy rubber protection and are ideal for handling rough and rugged terrain. I particularly appreciated the reinforced suede piece that runs from the back of the heel to the front of the ankle; it acts like a guardrail against side-of-the-foot hazards and makes for a painless trek. The only competitors that outpace it in this category are truly armored specimens—think even thicker uppers, higher ankles, and heavier rubber—like the Keen Targhee IV Mid and the Salomon Quest 4 (read our Quest review).

Sitting while wearing the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Hiking Boot

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Longevity

Choosing durable outdoor gear is perhaps the most effective way to reduce environmental impact—the longer it lasts, the less it needs to be produced. Our proprietary longevity rating evaluates overall build quality based on factors such as materials, fabric denier, component durability (including zippers and toggles), real-world performance as reported by our field testers, and our experiences with the brand.

Read Sustainability Report

The tradeoff with the Moab’s padded and protective design is weight. The women’s mid-height, waterproof model is listed at 1 pound 13 ounces for the pair (the men’s is 2 lb. 4 oz.), and the difference on the trail compared with a lighter and nimbler model like Merrell’s Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX (1 lb. 8.7 oz. for the pair) or Salomon’s X Utlra 4 Mid (1 lb. 10.1 oz.) is noticeable. If you prioritize moving quickly on ambitious day hikes or fast-and-light overnights or want a boot that feels athletic for rock hopping or scrambling, we recommend looking elsewhere. What you do get, though, is the support, stability, and durability that we’ve run through in this review so far.

Wedged between two rock faces in the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Hiking Boot

Waterproof Liner
Merrell designed the Moab 3 Mid with its in-house waterproof membrane. While it kept my feet dry through snow, rain, and puddles, the mesh parts of the upper do absorb some water (unlike the sleek Gore-Tex material on the Moab Speed 2). This left the boot feeling a little heavier after encounters with water. The Moab 3 is also thicker than the Moab 2 Speed and other boots I’ve tested, and it showed in warmer temps: I would not use this boot for primarily hot-weather hikes, but think it’s a great pick for cool, possibly wet adventures.

The Moab 3 Mid also comes in two other versions: A non-waterproof model ($130) that would work better in hot climates, and one with an upgraded Gore-Tex membrane ($170).

Lacing System
This is a standard lace-up boot with a metal hook at the ankle to keep the final lace in place and make it easier to tighten. The laces are held with durable loops that show no signs of wear or concern for the long term. The laces themselves are thick and round, and take a little effort to fully snug down. That said, I’ve only had to retighten the laces once during testing.

Lacing up the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Hiking Boot

Tightening the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Hiking Boot's laces

I usually wear a women’s 8 or 8.5, and often size up due to issues with narrow toe boxes (my feet are wider around the toes and midfoot). I tested the Moab 3 Mid in a size 8.5 and was pleased to find that the toe box was wide enough for comfort but not too wide that my toes moved around, which could cause blisters. The midfoot of this hiking boot is a little narrower, and initially I had some pain in the back of my inner arch. (I think this was also due to the relatively firm footbed.) With time, the boot molded to my foot better and this issue lessened. The heel of the Moab 3 fits well, but again, was a little on the narrower side.

It’s worth noting that we’ve also tested the men’s version of the Moab 3 Mid, and that reviewer has an average-width forefoot and narrow heel. The overall impression is that the men’s boot fit true to size, with an average toe box and a slightly narrow heel that allowed the tester to get a snug, locked-in fit.

Hiking in the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Hiking Boot with a buddy

Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX ($180): Same Brand, Different Results
The Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid Gore-Tex is a lighter, more nimble boot than the Moab 3 Mid, despite its higher ankle cuff. That makes the aptly named Speed better suited for quick-moving days on the trail, and its bouncy midsole gives it a more athletic feel in general. But the standard Moab 3 Mid takes the clear lead in durability, foot protection, and stability when hauling a heavy pack. We were especially let down by the Moab Speed 2 Mid’s durability, which included rapid wear on the tread and upper. As such, we prefer the longer-lasting Moab 3 Mid for most hiking and backpacking adventures. For more, read our review of the Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX.

Lowa Renegade Evo GTX ($265): Higher Price, Higher Performance
Although the Lowa Renegade Evo GTX weighs only a few ounces more than the Moab 3, it’s a class above when it comes to support and protection. A polyurethane midsole and TPU stabilizers make the Renegade a load-hauling monster (although the Moab is softer underfoot compared with the firmer Renegade), and its full-nubuck upper is among the most resilient materials in this boot category. With a Gore-Tex membrane, the Renegade also scores higher for waterproofing and breathability. So, what’s the catch? The Renegade costs a whopping $265, so the cushier Moab 3 is far from a bad choice if you’re looking to save some dough or don’t need the Renegade’s higher performance threshold. For more, read our review of the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid.

Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof ($150)

Wearing the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Hiking Boot

4.6/5

The Moab isn’t the sleekest-looking or burliest hiking boot out there, but it’s a solid all-rounder for most trail types and conditions. Throw in a very reasonable price, and it’s for good reason it’s been a best-seller for years.

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Terrain

Moderate/easy

Weight

1 lb. 11.1 oz.

Waterproof

Yes (non-WP available)

Upper

Leather/synthetic

Comfort

4/5

Support and Stability

4/5

Traction

4/5

Durability

4/5

Foot Protection

4/5

Sustainability

3.6/5

Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid Gore-Tex ($180)

4.7/5

Merrell goes modern with the Moab Speed 2, combining lightweight design, plush cushioning, and unexpectedly strong support. You sacrifice some protection and durability, but it’s hard to beat this boot’s comfortable and athletic feel.

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Terrain

Moderate/easy

Weight

1 lb. 8.7 oz.

Waterproof

Yes

Upper

Synthetic

Comfort

4.5/5

Support and Stability

3.5/5

Traction

4/5

Durability

3/5

Foot Protection

3.5/5

Sustainability

3.1/5

Lowa Renegade Evo GTX Mid ($280)

Close up of Lowa Renegade Evo Hiking Boots

4.4/5

The Renegade isn’t the lightest boot out there and has a classic design, but remains comfortable and highly capable. For challenging day hikes and backpacking, it’s a practical choice.

Shop Women's Shop Men's

Terrain

Moderate/rugged

Weight

2 lb. 2.2 oz.

Waterproof

Yes

Upper

Leather

Comfort

3.5/5

Support and Stability

4/5

Traction

4/5

Durability

4.5/5

Foot Protection

4.5/5

Sustainability

3.1/5

Is the Moab 3 Mid for You?

The Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof exists at a praiseworthy intersection of price, comfort, and performance. It will get the job done—keep your feet comfy, offer support under a heavy pack, shield you from water, and hold fast to the trail—for most backpacking trips short of a true epic, and has the materials and design to hold up for many years. Sure, it doesn’t score as high in some categories as high-priced competitors, but it’s also not that far behind them and will save you more than a few bucks. This is a classic hiking boot for a reason, and we’ll continue singing its praises.