Today I want to look at pair of popular hiking boots from Merrell, specifically the Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots.
The Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid Hiking Boots for Men
A very popular pair of hiking boots that have been around for quite a while. They're much loved and with good reason, they are a functional and comfortable pair of light hiking boots.
Summary
Brand and Model | Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid Hiking Boots For Men |
Retail Price | |
Rating | |
Pros | Very breathable, lightweight and flexible; rubber toe bumpers to protect feet work well |
Cons | Not the best option for longer backpacking trips |
Best Uses | Day hiking, day-to-day casual use |
Overview
Merrell are a very well-known brand in the outdoor gear world. They have a history of making quality gear and many of their models have really stood the test of time over the years.
These boots are very popular with lots of great user reviews. With that in mind I was excited to check out the Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid Hiking Boots. Let's take a look!
Look and Comfort
Well, we always hiking boots to look the part as well as be functional so starting with how these boots look seems as good a place as any to begin.
Overall, I like the look of the Moab Ventilator Mid. They look very much like a more technical pair of hiking boots should. They're made up of mid-height dura leather/nylon ventilator mesh which, as you can see, gives a technical look and style to them.
With that said, they will look great with a pair of jeans or in casual gear so they're not that technical that they would look out of place in normal day-to-day use.
In terms of comfort, the boots come with full-length, compression-molded EVA midsoles which supply cushioning and support for all-day wear. Perfect for a day hike.
After being out on the trail all day, you will of course sweat so the removable 4.5mm footbeds are handy to take out to let the soles and insides of the boots really breathe after use. The footbeds are also anatomically shaped and add cushioning for improved comfort ... that is, they're built specifically to fit feet 🙂
That Moab hiking boots breathe very well, always a much needed requirement on the trail, especially in sunnier climes and times of year.
This is done via the nylon mesh linings which absorb and disperse excess moisture when it gets to hot inside the boots. The tongue is mesh padded and so protects the instep against lace pressure without inhibiting breathability
The mesh also provides a good amount of flexibility too. Support comes in the nylon arch shanks. The Moab Ventilator Hiking Boots are waterproof as well as breathable. The Moabs are great for a generally hot climate, good breathability but that bit of waterproof protection should a rain shower come down.
The heels also feature Air Cushion® pockets which enhance shock-absorption under your heels which helps stabilize footstrike on the ground. All of this goes to helping ensure you can keep putting the miles in on the trail, in comfort!
Finally, in terms of comfort, the boots have heel loops that can be used to help you put your boots on when you're getting started, always handy to have to help get a comfortable fit!
Support, Stability and Grip
The Moab Ventilator boots employ a Vibram® Multi-Sport™ outsole, pictured below, with Trek and Super Trek rubber to deliver reliable traction on both wet and dry surfaces. This is a must for hiking as you will encounter wet and damp terrain at some point.
The toe's of the shoes have protective rubber toe bumpers which help ensure durability and abrasion-resistance as well as protect your tootsies from banging of a table corner during your post hike refreshments in the cafe 😉
Price
The Moab Ventilator hiking boots are pretty affordable coming in at lower end of the mod range for hiking boots in this class. You're getting a decent pair of boots for the price tag so I think they're fairly priced. Click on the image at the start of this review or any of the product links throughout, and you will be taken through to Amazon where you can see live prices.
It's worth remembering that there are a lot of very happy users of these boots, we'll look at that in more detail below.
Best Uses
The men's Moab Ventilator Hiking Boots are best suited for 2 to 3 season use on the trail, and ideally on well established trails as opposed to going too far off into the wilderness.
I don't think they're the best option for backpacking but if you have a light pack, they might work fine for shorter backpacking trips.
The Moab Ventilator hiking boots are also excellent for general day-to-day use as well as for other general outdoor activities e.g. when you need something a bit tougher than a standard sneaker or shoe.
Customer Reviews
As of the date of this post, from about 1200+ reviews across various retailers, 90% gave the Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots 3 stars or more, 84% 4 stars or more and 64% 5 stars. As mentioned above, they're a much loved pair of boots and Merell is a quality brand.
Our Rating 4.5 (Out of 5)
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Very Breathable
- Lightweight and flexible
- Rubber toe bumpers provide good toe protection
Cons
- Not the best option for longer treks or backpacking trips
- Not ideal for very wet conditions / terrain
Merrel Moab Ventilator Mid Hiking Boots for Men Features Summary
- Nylon mesh construction
- Rubber Outsole
- Removable insole
- Nylon shank
- 5mm Lug Depth on the soles
- Weight: 1 Ib 15 oz.
Conclusion
Overall, the Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid Hiking Boots are a pretty decent pair of boots for a very competitive price.
My feeling is that they are definitely specifically built to be more targeted for lighter hiking though, nothing wrong with that. If you do only day hiking and you live in a warm climate, or if you want a good pair of light summer hiking boots, I think these are a viable option.
If you're looking for year round use or if you plan to do longer treks, I don't think these boots are the best hiking boots option available. That doesn't take away from what these boots are made for though. They're designed as a light day hiking boot, most likely for hotter weather, and in that regard, they definitely hit the mark. They also have a lot of happy customers with lots of good user reviews so they're definitely worth a look.
If you'd like to see some other great hiking boot options, check out our top hiking boot recommendations here. Also if you're new to buying hiking boots, check out the hiking boot buying guide, it will cover everything you need to consider before making a purchase.
Have you tried the Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid Hiking Boots? What's your experience with them out on the trail? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.