REVIEW: Merrell MOAB Mid

Ankle-high and well-padded, the MOAB proves itself on trails and in the field. The padding prevents pain when hitting something and, when laced tightly, provides a secure fit. And this is what the manufacturer says about its trousers:

• Waterproof Durra leather and mesh
• Tongue with flap protects against stones in the shoe
• Toe cap and heel stiffener made of synthetic leather
• GORE-TEX® Extended Comfort membrane ensures dry feet and comfort
• M-Select FRESH treatment prevents persistent and naturally unpleasant odors

The tongue is also nicely padded. The shoe gets its aesthetics from a framework of leather and a mesh cover that covers the GORE-TEX. The mesh has held up well for us over the years, even when we have properly stressed the shoe. No cracks, holes, separations...

The problem area of our pair was the connection between the sole and the structure. It was not particularly well glued, and the toe cap on the left shoe had to be reglued shortly after purchase. The impact of intensive use is now visible again, and the dissolution is taking its course anew. This also affects the waterproofing. It is no longer present in the left shoe.

This is what the MOB Mid looks like from below. The sole is excellent and has proven itself and also held up very well. This is what Merrell says about its fundamentals:

• Stabilizing midfoot bridge
• Merrell air cushion cushions the step and increases stability and comfort
• Durable lightweight EVA midsole
• 5mm lug depth
• Vibram® sole

Another top view: the Merrell MOAB Mid is a very lightweight shoe, weighing around 439 grams. It is a summer shoe with a GORE-TEX® Extended Comfort membrane, which wears very nicely. The laminate runs only with mesh covering over the foot. This makes everything thin and light.

This is also where the limitation of the shoe begins. When it gets later in the year and the cold rain comes, the MOAB Mid may provide dry feet (usually), but cold feet as well. The fun quickly ends in the snow. But a good shoe does not have to be designed for everything: Spring to autumn is a nice range.

CONCLUSION: The Merrell MOAB Mid is a very successful shoe in itself. We suspect that we received a Monday model from the factory, but this, after the repair, did little to diminish the joy of the shoe. It has accompanied us around the world and served us well for years.

You can get the Merrell MOAB Mid at shoe retailers in the price range of 80 to 140 euros.