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Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof Review

This comfortable and supportive hiking shoe is one of our favorite budget-friendly models
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Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof Review
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Price:  $140 List
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Manufacturer:   Merrell
By Ryan Huetter ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  May 12, 2023
67
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#10 of 18
  • Comfort - 25% 7.0
  • Support - 20% 8.0
  • Traction - 15% 6.0
  • Water Resistance - 15% 8.0
  • Weight - 15% 4.4
  • Durability - 10% 6.0
Length Sizing
Runs Small
Runs Large
Width Sizing
Runs Narrow
Runs Wide

Our Verdict

The Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof is a comfortable hiking shoe made from quality materials, and that offers good midsole support. We enjoyed wearing these shoes right out of the box as they are soft and flexible, requiring little break-in time. They have decent waterproofing and protect from impacts with a beefy sole. They do feel pretty bulky and clunky, making them a better choice for casual hiking than for adventures requiring nimble footwork or a lighter weight for longer treks. They are a good, less expensive option for those looking for a quality shoe at a reasonable price, but for higher performing models, check out the Moab's competition in our men's hiking shoe review to decide for yourself.
REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Good support
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Some durability issues

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Hiking Shoe
Top Pick Award
Best for Scrambling
Top Pick Award
Best Lightweight Technical Hiker
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for Your Buck
Price $140.00 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers
$180.00 at REI
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$159.99 at Public Lands
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$149.95 at Backcountry
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$69.99 at Dick's Sporting Goods
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line This is a great overall hiking shoe that offers good support at an affordable priceUnbelievably comfortable and supportive, these awesome hiking shoes can do it allThis is a supportive hiking shoe that is perfect for scrambling and peak baggingThis is the definition of a solid hiking shoe, and is a perfect choice for those not wanting to compromise on off-trail performanceThis inexpensive but good quality hiking shoe is a perfect choice for just starting out on the trails
Rating Categories Merrell Moab 3 Wate... Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX Salewa Mountain Tra... Salomon X Ultra 4 G... Columbia Crestwood
Comfort (25%)
7.0
9.0
7.0
7.0
8.0
Support (20%)
8.0
8.0
9.0
8.0
6.0
Traction (15%)
6.0
7.0
9.0
9.0
6.0
Water Resistance (15%)
8.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
3.0
Weight (15%)
4.4
5.9
4.9
6.9
6.5
Durability (10%)
6.0
8.0
6.0
6.0
5.0
Specs Merrell Moab 3 Wate... Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX Salewa Mountain Tra... Salomon X Ultra 4 G... Columbia Crestwood
Measured Weight (per pair, size 11) 2.25 lbs 1.99 lbs 2.16 lbs 1.76 lbs 1.83 lbs
Upper Pigskin leather, mesh upper Recycled mesh, nubuck leather 3F System with Kevlar® Cables, Armoured Mesh, Protective TPU rand Synthetic, textile Suede leather, mesh, webbing
Lining Waterproof membrane GORE-TEX Invisible Fit Gore-Tex Extended Comfort Gore-Tex membrane None
Flood Height 3.0 in 3.0 in 3.5 in 3.25 in 1.5 in
Last Board/Shank Molded nylon arch shank Not specified Nylon ADV-C chassis Not specified
Midsole Super Rebound Compound EVA (30% sugarcane) EVA EnergyCell Techlite
Outsole Vibram TC5+ Vibram Megagrip rubber Pomoca MTN Trainer Lite Contagrip MA rubber OmniGrip
Width Options Regular, wide Regular Regular Regular Regular, Wide

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Moab 3 Waterproof is the latest in a long and successful line of hiking shoes and is the most supportive in the line thus far. This is a well-made shoe comprised of quality leather and mesh fabric, and it offers good overall performance for the seasoned hiker or beginning backpacker alike. It is among our review's heaviest shoes, but that comes with a solid and supportive platform underfoot.

Performance Comparison


merrell moab 3 waterproof - the moab 3 isn't a highly technical shoe, but for casual days out...
The Moab 3 isn't a highly technical shoe, but for casual days out it's a great option at an affordable price point.
Credit: Ryan Huetter


Comfort


The Moab 3 scores well enough for comfort, thanks to its soft and supple leather and mesh upper that is easy to break in and does not produce any impingement when walking. This shoe has a medium fit, though folks with wider feet will be happy to hear that this shoe is also available in a wide model. The lacing system is easy to use and allows for a secure fit.

This newer edition of the Moab features a more supportive insole and more midsole cushioning. We found this effective at improving comfort, though we felt taller while wearing these shoes, and the added weight of these features makes wearing the shoe a bit clunky.

merrell moab 3 waterproof - the moab 3 is comfortable and supportive, though nimble and svelte...
The Moab 3 is comfortable and supportive, though nimble and svelte are not in its repertoire.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Support


The Merrell Moab 3 is a very supportive hiking shoe, without a doubt. This is an improvement over previous iterations of the Moab line. From the firm Kinetic Fit insole, one of the best quality footbeds included in any of our reviewed shoes, let alone at this price point, to the molded nylon arch that gives serious stability in uneven terrain, there is a lot going on under your feet in these shoes. The Super Rebound Compound Merrell uses in these shoes adds cushioning and makes the wearer feel comfortable carrying lots of weight.

All this support comes at a small cost; we felt a bit high in the saddle while wearing these shoes, and since they are a low cut, this gave us a slightly uneasy feeling at times. This substantial stack height was not as noticeable when we tested the mid-cut version of the Moab 3, given that it has added ankle support.

merrell moab 3 waterproof - these hikers ride a little high, giving us pause on technical and...
These hikers ride a little high, giving us pause on technical and steep terrain. Still, the Moab 3 is noticeably more stable than previous iterations.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Traction


The outsole on the Moab 3 is a Vibram rubber compound called TC5+, which sticks nicely on even surfaces like smooth rock slabs and even trails. This shoe provides good traction whether on wet or dry trails, though we noticed that the lugs aren't as adaptable to changing conditions as some other options. The lug pattern is shallow and spread out, which makes them perfect for smooth surfaces. However, they tend to clog up with mud easily which results in poor grip, and the lugs are not deep enough to provide an effective grab on loose surfaces. That said, for general hiking use, they offer average traction and are still recommended. However, if you plan on venturing off the main path, it might be better to opt for shoes with a more capable lug pattern.

merrell moab 3 waterproof - this tread pattern served us well on smooth trails and rocks, but it...
This tread pattern served us well on smooth trails and rocks, but it wasn't the best for sloppy mud.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Water Resistance


Merrell uses its own in-house waterproof membrane to seal out water, and we found it to work pretty well when testing the Moab 3. It held strong and kept water out of the shoe in our 5-minute submersion test, and allowed us to walk confidently through shallow water crossings. This shoe has a three-inch flood height, which is fairly standard.

As with most other shoes made of pigskin suede leather, we recommend treating the Moab 3 with an aftermarket product as this material tends to get wet and takes a long time to dry out once fully inundated.

merrell moab 3 waterproof - the moab 3 kept our socks dry walking through a fresh snowmelt...
The Moab 3 kept our socks dry walking through a fresh snowmelt puddle on our local trail.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Weight


With a weight of 2.25 pounds for a pair of US size 11, the Moab 3 is one of the heavier shoes in our review. This weight may be worth it for someone looking for a beefy shoe that gives substantial support, though we found it to feel heavy on foot on long walks and tended to opt for any number of much lighter options on longer outings.

merrell moab 3 waterproof - checking the weight of the moab 3 - it's pretty hefty.
Checking the weight of the Moab 3 - it's pretty hefty.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Durability


We experienced no major durability issues with the Moab 3 during our test period. It's worth noting that the seams where the suede and mesh fabrics meet on the upper may experience the most wear and tear with prolonged use of these hiking shoes.

merrell moab 3 waterproof - scrambling around in the moab 3 was a good time.
Scrambling around in the Moab 3 was a good time.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Should You Buy the Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof?


The Moab line has long won GearLab accolades as a budget-friendly option, and we feel it is still a high-quality hiking shoe that gives a lot of bang for your buck. It's not the most technical contender, but not everyone needs that.

What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?


For those seeking another inexpensive option that performed quite well and is even more comfortable, the Columbia Facet 75 Outdry is about the same price. For those who want great support and don't mind spending a little extra, the Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite GTX was a top performer and one we recommend if you like to scramble around on rocks.

Ryan Huetter