Merrell Moab 3 Review | Worth It in 2025?

In this article, I'm going to share my HONEST Merrell Moab 3 review for those who are wondering whether they are still WORTH IT in 2025. As a Professional Hiking Guide myself, I recommend these hiking shoes to those looking for high performance hiking footwear. You won’t go on a single hike, without passing a hiker wearing the Merrell Moab 3, there a reason.. They work!

For this review, I have put in over 100 miles into testing my own personal pair of the Merrell Moab 3 throughout the summer and fall of 2023 and 2024, so I'm very familiar with how they feel and perform on the trails. I'll go over comfort, traction, overall protection, water resistance, fit, stability & support, and durability.

The Moab 3 were released in early 2022 coming back with raving reviews from hikers all around. The main difference between the Moab 2 and 3 is better comfort and stability. The Moab 2’s were very successful but Merrell somehow outdid themselves again with the Moab 3 model.

Should you buy the Merrell Moab 3?

Buy if 

• You want the BEST overall value for a hiking shoe under $130

• You want a hiking shoe that will LAST 

• You aren’t looking for the most “expensive” shoe or brand on the market

• You want a hiking shoe that will perform 365 days a year

DON'T Buy if 

• You want the highest performing hiking shoe on the market

• You prefer lightweight hiking shoes

See Our Youtube Review Of The Moab 3

Moab 3 Pros and Cons 

 Pros

• Amazing value, best on the market for hiking shoes

• Very comfortable

• Great in house waterproof membrane

• Built with long-lasting quality materials

Cons 

• Issues with breathability

• Weight

Merrell Moab 3 Price 

At the time of this writing, the Moab 3 are priced at $150 retail, but available on Amazon below for as low as $95 brand new.

Order the Merrell Moab 3 for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail): 

Merrell Moab 3 (Amazon)

Disclosure: These links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to run the website 🙂

Merrell Moab 3 Comfort: 8.5/10 

I’ll start by saying these are decently comfortable hiking shoes. The toe box has a particularly snug fit, especially around toes 2 and 3, which feels unevenly distributed as there’s more room on the sides. This is surprising because I have wide feet. For those with wide feet, don’t worry—these hiking boots come in a wide fit as well.

However, the midsole is an improvement. It provides good support and cushioning, without the worry of sore feet or uneven weight distribution. What I love about the Moab 3 is the synthetic sock liner. It is very comfortable and provides a nice sleek fit without any added compression or discomfort. I would say the comfort is comparable to that of the Keen Targhee III, a well comforted midsole. I did a case study comparing the two hiking shoes.

Read Here: Merrell Moab 3 vs Keen Targhee III | Which One Is Better?

The Kinetic fit, is a contoured insole which helps conform to the shape of your foot. There is more than enough adequate padding in these shoes. Unlike the Salomon Quest 4, there is padding around the top of the shoe without the need to press down into your foot from a tight lacing job. 

While moving towards the heel of the hiking shoes, I felt excellent cushioning in places where I would normally get blisters. With each get off of each step I didn’t feel any unnecessary discomfort or rubbing against my heel. The cuff of the boot provides great comfort and solace around the lower ankle.

One downside to the Moab 3 is the weight. I weighed my pair of Men’s 10.5 at 1.03pds which is quite heavy compared to the other models on the market. This is due to the robust materials it is crafted with as well as the extra added support throughout the shoe.

As a frame of reference the Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR 2 weighed in at just 14oz making the Moab 3 almost 20% heavier than its lightweight counterpart. 

For clarification, REI lists the weight of the Moab 3 at 2pds 1oz while Merrell lists at 13oz PER SHOE. I weigh my shoes just as Merrell does, weighing only one shoe which gives a more accurate measurement for weight of a hiking shoe. 

Traction: 8.5/10

The Merrell Moab is equipped with the Vibram® TC5+ outsole which provides excellent traction. While viewing these boots from the bottom the lug patterns are very odd however they work and get the job done.

I personally tested these boots in wet mud and I felt robust traction without any slipping or loss of grip. Speaking of the lugs, they are 5mm in depth, which is the standard for most hiking shoes. Compared to trail runners, the Merrell Moab 3 offers superior traction and stability, especially on rugged and uneven terrain, where trail runners might struggle due to their lighter and more flexible design.

Most brands that use the Vibram megagrip sole come with a cost. The Hoka Speedgoat 6( a lightweight trail runner with a fraction of materials compared to the Moab 3) are quite expensive at $150. Merrell was able to still use quality materials and keep the cost down even with the vibram outsole. 

The Vibram outsole not only provides excellent traction, but also is extremely durable. After hiking over 100 miles in these shoes I have had minimal breakdown of my outsole or loss of traction. 

One area where these hiking shoes excel is rigidity. While I was hiking on technical terrain, I felt the Moab was rigid enough to not conform to uneven surfaces, therefore holding a nice tight grip on my trail. 

The Merrell Moab 3 can be used on any sort of hiking or trekking trip. I have taken them on hikes over 12+ miles per day and had great performance without issue, you will not have to worry about traction with this model. 

Overall Protection 5/5 

The Moab 3 is covered from front to back with robust leather and synthetic materials. There is a nice protective rubber toe cap that expands far enough for protection. There is also a thick piece of leather that expands further out from that creating even more protection for the toe box. 

What I like most about this hiking shoe is the medial and lateral foot protection. Where the rubber outsole meets the upper, the leather is thick in this area creating a nice barrier between your foot and the outside. As you move more towards the upper, synthetic mesh is met in a window pattern that allows for better breathability especially in the summer.

The sole of these hiking boots provide personalized support and comfort throughout my hikes. With every step, the sole adapts to my foot’s unique curves, ensuring a snug fit that reduces fatigue and enhances stability. There is also a heel lock feature which tacs down the sole of the boot without ever lifting up.

These hiking boots excel in shock absorption. In my 10 years of reviewing hiking shoes, I have to say the Merrell Moab 3 ranks at the top for best shock absorption.

I personally tested these boots in Penwood State Park, CT, one of my go-to hiking spots. One of the trails requires upward rock climbing and then a steep descent.

I usually end up putting a lot of pressure coming down the rocks, which leaves a lot of soreness and pain in my mid foot. I never experienced this pain while using these boots multiple times on this trail, which speaks to the exceptional shock absorption of the Moab 3.

I did not experience any sprains during my testing however this is something to keep in mind. If you are susceptible to ankle sprains I would recommend the mid version for additional stability and ankle support. I will say, even with the low cut, it had more support compared to the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX.

Water Resistance 5/5 

One standout feature of the Merrell Moab 3 is they do not use gore-tex technology, they use their own branded membrane of the boot. I personally did a case study on the Merrell waterproof vs Gore-tex see here. 

The Moab 3 has a bellowed tongue of the boot which means the tongue attaches all the way at the top of the boot- this allows maximum protection against water, dirt and anything else you may encounter.

The Moab 3 did excellent during our 10 minute submersion test. Both my feet were kept dry during the test, I crossed many rivers and puddles while hiking with these boots without feeling a drop of water get inside!

Most full grain leather uppers carry a lot of weight and hence tend to overheat and cause sweaty feet. Not with these hiking shoes, the Merrell waterproof membrane is very commendable for water resistance as well as breathability at the same time. 

To be clear, these boots come in a waterproof model vs the normal Moab 3. We do not recommend any river crossings with the non-waterproof version. 

Does The Merrell Moab 3 Fit Well?

At first, I  felt a good amount of room in shoe when slipping them on. I tested a size men’s 10.5 and did not have to size up or down. As I said before, it got a little tight around two of my toes but that settled down after breaking these in. 

I would say the fit is comparable to that of the Salomon X Ultra 4, which is a little snug. I would reiterate however, the sock liner is extremely comfortable and sleek. I did a head to head comparison of the X Ultra 4 vs Moab 3 and I felt the fit was decent on both.

Read Here: Merrell Moab 3 vs Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX | Which Is Better?

I felt a little extra room around the heel as compared to the toe box. I would say overall these shoes are slightly wide-fitting. For me, they were the perfect width.

The lacing system features one lacing hook at the top, different from the standard two hooks on each side. Despite this, it still allows you to use special lacing techniques to customize the fit to your liking. I felt I was able to get a nice secure fit with my laces. 

Merrell Moab Fit  4/5 

Merrell Moab 3 Stability & Support 4.5/5

Since the Moab 3 has such a robust wide-fitting base it allows for excellent shock absorption and distribution. The nylon shank gives excellent support to midsole, allowing for great stability on trail.

I was able to test the mid and low cut version, both have great ankle support. Although the Moab 3 low version does not cover the ankle well, the robust leather design is nice and stiff giving you the support you need while hiking.

I was able to continue on my hike with a 40lb daypack, I didn’t experience any ankle sprains or areas of instability with the added weight.

That being said, I would not recommend using the low-cut version on anything higher than moderate level terrain. I felt I was unable to hold an edge with a very steep incline while testing the lowcut version. 

Durability 9.5/10

I have had zero issues with durability regarding the Moab 3. I love that Merrell incorporates a mesh and pig suede leather combination throughout the boot, this is quality material and lasts quite a while. 

The Vibram outsole has held up very well considering the conditions we put it through over the past year or so. I haven’t noticed any wear on the lugs or flattening out of the outsole. 

The Moab 3 is crafted from quality materials with no areas of welded material, it gets the thumbs up from us. 

Is the Merrell Moab 3 worth it? 

If you are looking for a high performing budget friendly hiking boots, then yes these are the boots for you. We rated this the most budget-friendly hiking boot of 2025.

Crafted from quality materials while keeping the cost of the shoe down overall makes this the best budget-friendly hiking boot. 

Don’t forget the targeted comfort and fit while being able to take down very technical terrain. Crossing rivers are not a problem with the in-house built waterproof membrane.

Don’t mention the fact that I also happen to wear my Moab 3 out while doing errands in the winter or even wearing them while shoveling snow or snowblowing. 

Think about what you want most in a hiking shoe, something that is comfortable, durable and has excellent performance that is the Merrell Moab 3. Being able to get a high performance hiking shoe on the market under $120 is a steal in my opinion.

As I said in the previous article, there is a reason why you won’t pass somebody on the trail not wearing the Moab 3… they are great!

The strengths of this hiking shoe are the waterproofness, durability great breathability, great on-trail performance, and price! 

The drawbacks to consider would be there are more lightweight models out there such as the Salomon X Ultra 4 or Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR 2. Also more comfortable such as the Hoka Anacapa 2. 

Overall, as a weekend hiker on a budget, I don’t think you can go wrong with picking up a pair of the Merrell Moab 3. 

Value: 5/5 

Scoring Breakdown 

Comfort: 8.5 / 10 

Traction: 8.5 / 10

Overall Protection: 5 / 5

Waterproofness: 5 / 5

Stability & Support: 4.5 / 5

Fit: 4 / 5

Durability: 9.5 / 10

Value: 5 / 5

Total: 50 / 55

 Our Rating: 9.1 / 10 

At the time of this writing, the Merrell Moab 3 are price at $150 retail, but available on Amazon below for as low as $95 brand new.

Order the Merrell Moab 3 for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail): 

Merrell Moab 3 (Amazon)

Frequently Asked Questions 

Merrell Moab 2 vs Moab 3

The Moab 2 had some issues with ventilation and stability. The Moab 3 is shown to have more heel flexibility and support, thanks to the inclusion of a nylon shank, which enhances stability and provides a planted feel, especially in the heel and midfoot areas.

The Moab 2 had great outsoles but they were not of the Vibram technology the Moab 3 boasts.

Does the Merrell Moab 3 have arch support?

The Moab 3 do have moderate arch support, they also feature the molded nylon arch shank in the boot offers more arch support than before. This function helps the boot to be generally stable and supportive.

Is the Merrell Moab 3 waterproof?

They do have a waterproof version or a GORE-TEX version which is 20$ more than the waterproof version.

Is The Moab 3 good for winter hiking?

Yes! The Moab 3 is excellent for winter hiking. I Tested them in snow and weather down to 10 degrees. They performed excellent in cold weather and snow. 

Merrell Moab 3 Release Date

The Moab 3 were released in Fall of 2022. 

How We Tested and Our Methodology 

I personally tested the Merrell Moab 3 over a year with the sole intent of giving you 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 the Merrell Moab 3 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.

Adventure Awaits,

Tyler