Best Hiking Shoes? | Merrell Moab Vent 2 Review

▼ GEAR USED IN THIS VIDEO (affiliate links)

▼ TABLE OF CONTENTS
00:00 - Beginning
00:44 - Current condition
02:40 - What I like about them
05:02 - What I dislike
06:26 - Final verdict

▼ MY FULL GEAR LIST (affiliate links)

▼ FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA

▼ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
In some of our videos and articles, we sometimes use affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking our affiliate links, we might get a small commission from the total purchase, at no additional cost for you. We participate in the Amazon Associates affiliate program and other affiliate programs.

[Jonh]

I have absolutely abused these hiking shoes and they haven't let me down! so comfortable straight out of box, highly recommend !

I've have the same pair of Moabs for 8 years now, they still have a ton of life in them. And they don't even stink! I have no complaints what so ever! Love them!

[johncotter]

I wear these shoes every day while walking through NYC to work, and they are by far the most comfortable shoes I've ever experienced.

[ToddBVick]

I recently used the Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator hiking shoes on the most difficult 6 (really 8) mile trail at Caprocks Canyon, in Texas (the upper north prong trail). They were flawless, remained comfortable and helped me during the tougher scrambles (600 feet of pretty steep scrambling). I highly recommend them.

[scottphilips]

Had these as my casual/walking shoes for 3 years, the rubber toe cap is starting to get brittle and crack, and I have almost worn through the bottom where the ball of my foot is, but 3 years of constant use is Damn good value to me! Very comfortable

[timsnodgrass]

Just picked up a pair. Your after use review reassures me that I made a good choice.

[MiceDnP]

One of the best and straight to the point reviews i've seen, i'lll buy a pair to check them out too then. BTW, i'm hearing some Baltic accent vibes here haha - glad to see another happy backpacker, greetings from Latvia!

[foskco]

I think despite these being popular and well known they are still a relatively underrated shoe. They often get considered as kind of an entry level shoe compared to alot of these more expensive, cutting edge futuristic brands but I have had 3 pairs of Moabs and I would still put them up there against any other good shoe. Best thing about them without a doubt is the comfort. These shoes come ready to go out of the box. First time you slip them on it literally feels pleasant on your feet, like comfy sox or something. Zero break in needed. I have worn these on countless hikes and I dont think Ive ever had a blister, no joke. They have a great mixture of stiffness/flex and cushion. They also have really great traction. The only downsides to the Moabs I would say is that they have average durability and they do feel a bit heavy.

[benny]

I just bought some of those and I'm happy. Comfortable right out of the box. I feel a bounce when I walk around so I don't think they're all that heavy, but I will have to see how they are on a long walk. As for laces, I usually double knot my laces on my hiking shoes. That way they don't come undone.

[SarahMickelsen]

Thank you for this in-depth review! I appreciate that you made a point to cover all the advantages and disadvantages to this shoe, many of which I would have overlooked. Thank you for your honesty!

[FullSOSOutsourcing]

I've had a pair of Continuums for 7 years. Best shoe I ever had. The soles are worn but the shoe is intact. I'm still wearing them today.

[papajeff]

I want a shoe that will be light, dry quickly, protect my feet and last for years. I wore a light Danner 6-8 inch, Gortex, synthetic fabric mixed with leather boot for eight years, way back in the early 1980s. They were heavier than today’s trail hikers; but, I loved them. The thing about heavy boots didn’t occur to me. They were just great. They didn’t stay water proof for long, ehh. My hiking was in the Smokies, crossing creeks, deep wet snow, up and down rock climbs, Cades Cove, Rich Mountain, Mt. Le Conte (several times, the long and short hikes), Ice Water Springs, Charlie’s Bunion, Clingman’s Dome, etc.. Kentucky

[kayasper]

Allright, I am convinced now, will buy them one of these days. Thanks for your review!

[HikingWithShawn]

I’ve used this brand before. I think it is usually a go to brand for hiking. I’ve found that their hiking shoes are usually less grippy tho than others. Great review!

[DLowfu]

I had a pair of Moab 2 mid ventilators that lasted me for many seasons of hiking through some fairly narly trails on the AT (I live near Mt. Washington so I've hiked all the AT Mountians in NE with these boots). I eventually had to replace the laces that came with the boots with Paracord, but I had no problems at all for years until the sole's started to separate from the boot. These have been the most comfortable boots that never gave me really bad blisters, and I think that they are second only to the custom hiking boots I had made for me. Overall, I loved these boots so much I still use them.

[AlexxKovacs]

Use the lace lock/heel lock technique to tie your shoes to keep your foot secure in the shoe which will prevent your foot from moving around in them, getting blisters, etc

[Mrbluesplayer]

I love the original Merrel Moab Vent (mark I), which are by far the most comfortably shoe I've ever had. I should know as I wear nothing else, these are my daily go-to shoe and I have worn out several pairs. Nothing has come close for comfort and the vent means no sweaty hot feat. But oh, the mark II's were such a disappointment and the slipper-like comfort of the originals completely gone. The innersoles are so much thinner, especially around the toe region and you can feel the sole structure below and the while shoe is just not a comfortable. IMHO Merrel made a huge leap backwards with the Moab 2. It looks like the new Moab 3 more resembles the originals, I hope so. Luckily for me I stocked up on the originals, and the Moab 2 went back in the box.

[moorejl]

I have been using these shoes for a long time and I also find the inner padding starts to shred, especially at the back by the Achilles tendon. This may be due to me using them for too long. They do dry pretty quickly even if you cross a stream. They provide good protection on rocky ground vs. a lighter trail runner. I use elastic laces (lock laces) and rarely have to adjust the laces.

[Rockett]

December 2022. I figured they are phasing out the ventilators. I could have got an awesome deal. If you want something similar, you have to go to the mohab 3. I think it's designed a little bit better? Ventilator was a nice lightweight non-waterproof for the summertime, The whole ventilator line is gone from Merrill most of it anyway, other stores carry them, but they won't be able to restock

[Enpassantful]

You need a thick sole on hiking shoes, to cushion your feet on uneven ground and rough terrain. This also protects the bones in your feet and legs which means you don’t tire as quickly as you would with shoes that have thinner soles.