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Review

The Merrell Moab were my first walking shoes, transitioning from boots for the first time was a questionable step. For so long I’d thought boots were the way to go for any type of extended walking trips, but the more I read into the long-distance hiking scene, it was clear that my Berghaus Expeditor boots weren’t part of most thru-hiker kit lists and that a shoe would enable me to hike more miles in comfort. So why did I choose the Merrell Moab?

The first of many

I bought the Moab at a Go Outdoors in Basingstoke for just £60 and the cushioning, as well as the insole, looked like a good choice for my first set of solo wild camping trips along the South West Coastal Path. I completed a series of 40-mile overnight trips in the Merrels blister-free. Something I don’t think would’ve been possible in a hefty boot. However, the lack of prior training meant I was rolling my ankles often as the muscles in my feet hadn’t developed enough yet. Luckily the SWCP sections I walked along were well-graded and not very rocky.

As time went by

So impressed with my first walking shoe, I decided to keep using them over a total of around 200 miles of walking and they held up very well with the exception of some minor deforming of the upper. The sole and grip didn’t degrade much, but the most prominent issue with the Merrell Moab was the slow dry time. A feature of the Moab is the Gore-Tex membrane which didn’t work at all, and if they got wet they’d stay wet for an entire trip, even in the sunshine. I definitely knew a more breathable, higher-wicking, drainable shoe would be better.

Who are they for?

The Merrell Moab are the perfect first-time walking shoe for those on a budget, they provide the comfort and weight-saving compared to the blistery, heavy swing of a boot at a much lower price and enabled me to walk further for longer. As hikers progress, they’ll definitely want to switch out to something more breathable with a better grip.

My verdict

A cheap solution to expensive trail runners.

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