Merrell Moab 3 vs Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX | Which Is Better?
In this article, I'm going to share my HONEST Merrell Moab 3 vs Salomon X Ultra 4 comparison in detail after personally owning and testing both hiking boots. I have thoroughly tested both of these hiking boots on the trails for countless hours, and I aim to offer a professional hiker's critical opinion.
I'll be comparing these two head-to-head in categories like price, comfort, traction, overall protection, fit, breathability, and durability.
Then, at the end, I'll share which product offers the best overall value for the money and provide my overall recommendation for which you should buy.
Also, if you're interested in learning more, I have tested each product individually in my Merrell Moab 3 review and Salomon X Ultra 4 review.
Merrell Moab 3 vs Salomon X Ultra 4 Price Comparison
Overall, the Merrell Moab 3 are $30 cheaper than the Salomon X Ultra 4
Merrell Moab 3 Price: $120
Salomon X Ultra 4 Price: $160
Comfort
Both the Merrell Moab 3 and Salomon X 4 Ultra are moderately comfortable hiking boots. The Merrell Moab 3 is rated as one of the most comfortable in our most comfortable hiking boots review article.
Starting off with the Moab 3, they offer the Merrell Air Cushion which is an moderately comfortable midsole. Merrell manufacturers their own insole which is very comfortable as well. There is a good amount of plushiness and give in the Moab 3 while hiking.
I also love the sock liner of the Merrell Moab 3. It has a nice synthetic mesh that is covered with a plush surrounding offering maximum comfort on the trail.
The Salomon X 4 Ultra boast a comfortable midsole that is manufactured by Salomon themselves. There is a decent amount of plushiness in the insole but not as much as the Moab 3 offers.
Moving towards the sock liner, the X 4 Ultra have a very thin membrane between the top of your foot and the synthetic upper. I would say, this can be uncomfortable at times but not unbearable.
Both hiking boots excel at shock absorption. Making your hike a very nice experience without the roughness of uneven terrain and maximum pain on your joints.
Overall, both these hiking boots are pretty comfortable. The upper hand goes to the Moab 3 because of the sock liner and better comfort while in the trail.
Merrell Moab 3 Comfort: 4.5 out of 5
Salmon X 4 Ultra Comfort: 4.0 out of 5
Winner: Merrell Moab 3
Traction
Both the Moab 3 are X Ultra 4 are similar when comparing traction, the big difference is the outsole manufacturer. The Merrell Moab 3 are equipped with the Vibram Megagrip outsole, a very popular option in the hiking community.
The Salomon X 4 Ultra boast the Contagrip outsole which is made by Salomon. Both are very popular outsoles, in fact we compared the two outsoles in our article; Contagrip vs Vibram outsole which is better?
I tested both boots in a variety of conditions, including wet mud, dry mud, snow, slate and dirt on every imaginable terrain. They both perform very well in terms of traction paired with extreme grip.
I also tested them on extreme inclines where some hiking boots tend to slip up and lose traction. To say I diligently tested these boots in every type of terrain to give you a data driven result, is an understatement.
Starting off with the Moab 3, you begin to notice the grip of the Vibram outsole right away. The lugs are 5mm which is standard but really grip into the mud or whatever terrain you may be trekking through.
I felt the Moab 3 were very impressive when it came to the firmness of the outsole. They aren't flexible which shows that they do not flex under pressure of your foot allowing you to hold that traction you need to get through your journey.
The Salomon X 4 Ultra are extremely impressive when it comes to traction and grip. The Contagrip outsole is a very grippy compound that works well in every terrain possible. I felt the Contagrip worked even better in snow and very slippery terrain compared to the Vibram Megagrip that the Moab 3 offers.
Overall, after using these two hiking boots for over a year now I have not noticed any wear or tear on the outsoles. I gave the winner to the Salomon X 4 Ultra here because of how well they grip in a variety of different terrains.
Merrell Moab 3 Traction : 4 out of 5
Salomon X 4 Ultra Traction : 4.5 out of 5
Winner: Salomon X 4 Ultra
Overall Protection
There is one distinct difference between the Merrell Moab 3 and Salomon X 4 Ultra when it comes to overall protection. The Merrell Moab 3 has excellent lateral and medial foot protection, where the X 4 Ultra lacks the tough material to cover this area.
The Moab 3 have thick leather that covers the lateral sides of the boot. This protects against sharp rocks and any other materials that may pierce your boots. The synthetic mesh is also much thicker on the Moab 3’s compared to the X 4 Ultra’s.
In contrast, the Salomon X 4 Ultra have synthetic material that is very thin and can be vulnerable to sharp objects piercing the side of your hiking boot. However, the Salomon X 4 Ultra have great protection in the hind foot where your heel is.They feature combined leather and thick synthetic material in the heel area much better than the Moab 3.
Moving towards the toe box, both hiking boots have an protective toe cap that works well against blunt or sharp objects while hiking. They also both offer a gusseted tongue which doesn't allow debris to enter the boot.
This was a tough decision to make, I gave the winner here to the Moab 3 for overall protection due to the fact that medial and lateral foot protection is so important while hiking.
Merrell Moab 3 Overall Protection: 5 out of 5
Salomon X 4 Ultra Overall Protection: 3.5 out of 5
Winner: Merrell Moab 3
Merrell Moab 3 vs Salomon X 4 Ultra Which Fits Better?
I ordered both of these hiking boots in a size men's 10.5 regular. I must say, the Merrell Moab 3 are definitely wider and have more overall volume within the hiking boot. Compared to the Salomon X 4 Ultra, these tend to run more narrow.
In my previous review of the X 4 Ultra, I was hoping they came in a wide size, which they do not. The X 4 Ultra can run quite slim and I noted some numbness at the tip of my big toe,this went away over time with properly breaking them in.
The Moab 3 have one metal rung at the top for tying your laces, most hiking boots have two. I did not note any discrepancies in ankle stability due to the singular metal rung, which is good. The Salomon X 4 Ultra have a special quick lace system that does not require you to tie your laces.
In my article review, I talk about how cumbersome the quick lace system is, and how it interferes with hiking. Salomon does offer normal laces with the X 4 Ultra, which I would definitely choose next time.
Both hiking boots fit decently well, but the Merrell Moab get the trophy here.
Merrell Moab 3 Fit : 4.5 out of 5
Salomon X 4 Ultra Fit : 4 out of 5
Winner: Merrell Moab 3
Breathability
The Salomon X 4 Ultra boasts significantly more breathability than the Moab 3. This is mainly due to the lightweight synthetic material the X 4 Ultra is made out of.
The Gore-tex membrane does not inhibit the breathability of these boots as much as you’d expect. The X 4 Ultra is ideal for summer hiking due to the enhanced breathability.
The Moab 3 robust material and leather really make this hiking boot less breathable. While breathability is not a huge issue for the Merrell Moab 3, it does not compare to that of the Salomon X 4 Ultra.
Both these boots match well for water resistance as the Merrell boots have their own built in waterproof membrane and the Salomon are made with Gore-tex. I wouldn’t say either waterproof membrane really inhibits the breathability of either.
The Salomon X 4 Ultra is the clear winner here.
Merrell Moab 3 Breathability : 3.5 out of 5
Salomon X 4 Ultra Breathability : 5 out of 5
Winner: Salomon X 4 Ultra
Durability
Both these hiking boots are extremely durable. I have owned both for over a year and tested them in extremely harsh conditions without any sign of wear and tear.
Both combined synthetic and textile materials of the Salomon X 4 Ultra did not break down; nor the leather and synthetic of the Merrell Moab 3.
Both the Vibram megagrip and Contagrip have held true; none have lost any traction or grip over the last year either.
There is no reason to worry about the durability of either of these boots, you are definitely getting your moneys worth.
Merrell Moab 3 Durability : 5 out of 5
Salomon X Ultra 4 Durability : 5 out of 5
Winner: Tie
Merrell Moab 3 Overall Rating: 8.8/10
Comfort: 4.5 out of 5
Traction: 4 out of 5
Overall Protection: 5 out of 5
Fit: 4.5 out of 5
Breathability: 3.5 out of 5
Durability: 5 out of 5
Total: 26.5/30
Salomon X 4 Ultra Overall Rating: 8.6 / 10
Comfort: 4 out of 5
Traction: 4.5 out of 5
Overall Protection: 3.5 out of 5
Fit: 4 out of 5
Breathability: 5 out of 5
Durability: 5 out of 5
Total: 26/30
Salomon X 4 Ultra vs Merrell Moab 3 Which One Is Better Overall?
I'll begin by saying that both of these hiking boots are extremely high on my list of the best hiking boots of all time. I tested these boots in many different categories. I must say the Merrell Moab 3 wins by a slight edge here 8.8 vs 8.6 for overall ratings.
An extra benefit is you are saving an extra $30 by going with the Merrell Moab 3. However, if you are someone who wants a lightweight hiking boot that has excellent breathability I would suggest the X 4 Ultra over the Moab 3 in that case.
This was an extremely close comparison, I would say going with either of these hiking boots is not a bad decision as I have tested both diligently, and I am very pleased with both.
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How We Personally Tested Our Methodology
I personally tested the Merrell Moab 3 and Salomon X 4 Ultra in 2024 with the sole intention of providing you with the most unbiased review possible. Mountaineer Journey is a 100% independent publisher with years of testing and reviewing outdoor equipment.
Over the past decade, I have logged over 2,000 hiking miles across diverse terrains, from the rugged Appalachian Trail to the challenging Rocky Mountains. This extensive experience allows me to evaluate these Hiking boots performance accurately in real-world conditions.
We currently pay for the products we test ourselves; no company or manufacturer pays us to sway our opinions or decisions.
See Our Hand Tested Youtube Review Of Each Hiking Boot
Adventure Awaits,
Tyler