Merrell Moab Speed 2 Review | Worth It In 2025?
Here I am going to give my HONEST Merrell Moab Speed 2 review for those wondering if these hiking shoes are WORTH it in 2025.
I have personally tested these shoes for over 60 miles, I will be giving you my professional insights as well as overall testing scores.
Merrell Moab Speed 2 Pros and Cons
- Excellent traction
- Very Durable
- Lightweight design
- Breathability
- Not a maximalist shoe
Should you buy the Moab Speed 2?
Buy if
- You want one of the top rated hiking shoes of 2025
- You hike on technical terrain
- You prefer a comfortable midsole
DON’T Buy if
- You want a waterproof shoe
- You prefer a super lightweight shoe
Merrell Moab Speed 2 Price
At the time of this writing, the Merrell Moab Speed 2 are available for the LOWEST price of $140 on REI.com
Order the Moab Speed 2 for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
Disclosure: These links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to run the website 🙂
Watch this Full Review on YouTube!
Merrell Moab Speed 2 Comfort: 8/10
While these hiking shoes are not the maximalist shoes you’ll find like the Hoka’s, they provide a nice comfortable footbed. The Floatpro foam midsole is lightweight, yet forgiving.
The Merrell Moab speed 2 has a very generous toe box. I didn’t have any areas of compression or areas of numbness.
The heel padding was nice and comfortable without feeling overly cramped or compressive.
The tongue was a little short and I had to pull it extremely hard up and over my forefoot just to tie the shoes. The tongue could have used a little bit more padding as well.
The underfoot cushioning is just generous enough to not feel a bunch of uneven rocks or terrain while you were on the trail period. I felt the stack height was high enough and comfortable enough for technical trails while not losing points in the comfortability section.
Thanks to the natural rockered sole my stride felt nice and efficient and lightweight just like Salomon X Ultra 5.
Weighing in at 10 oz, It is much more lightweight than the original Merrell Moab 3, at around 1.1 pds.
Traction: 8.5/10
Unlike most popular hiking boots the Speed 2 feature the Vibram TC5+ rubber compound which is similar to the Salomon Contagrip outsole.
While the outsole is very grippy and holds reliable traction, it is slightly softer than the original fan-favorite Vibram megarip and may wear slightly quicker.
While testing these out in the White Mountains of NH, I felt my grip was very reliable and sticky. The 4mm lugs tend to bite very well into the terrain. On steep granite, the lugs bit in just enough to stop my heel from sliding.
One subtle note about the Speed 2 is the fact that the lugs have “ rubber micro spikes” that really give you an edge on the trail.
The grip is about average on wet terrain, they can slip a little more than most shoes that have the TC5+ outsole like the Lowa Renegade.
Does The Merrell Moab Speed 2 Fit Well?
I ordered a men’s 10.5 which fit perfectly. I have one high arch on one foot while one low arch on the other so I am the perfect tester for hiking shoe fit.
Overall I didn’t have any areas of discomfort and I felt that the shoe volume was enough to accommodate my moderately wide foot. I don’t anticipate having to size up or down for anyone who has a narrow foot while trying the Speed 2 out.
Merrell Speed 2 Fit 4.5/5
Merrell Speed 2 Mid Stability & Support 9/10
The contoured heel cup offers a nice barrier against the edge of either side of your heel preventing from overly pronating or supinating during your stride.
The shock absorption is similar to the Merrell Moab 3 which rates in the excellent category of impact absorption. I didn’t feel any pain in my joints or lower body.
The integrated lightweight flex plate impregnates itself around your midsole working its way up towards the sides of your toes which is a similar mechanism like the Hoka Mafate X. This enhances the stiffness, allowing you tackle that extreme uneven terrain.
The secure-fit heel counter adds excellent torsional stability to to this shoe, I really felt the difference while on an inclined hillside during my testing.
Durability 9/10
This shoe is made without any welding materials while keeping the weight down which was very impressive.
The Merrell Moab Speed 2 features all traditional stitching which aids in its long-term durability and viability.
After testing these for over a hundred miles the synthetic material has held up very well compared to something like the Hoka Speedgoat 5.
The toe cap has shown no signs of delamination or breakdown. the outsole itself still holds the same impact absorption it had since day one.
Overall, Merrelll was able to craft a hiking shoe that’s not only lightweight but also durable which is an oxymoron in the hiking space.
Is the Merrell Moab Speed 2 worth it?
If you were looking for a moderately comfortable, extremely durable hiking shoe with Excellence stability the Merrell Moab Speed 2 should be at the top of your list.
Currently this is our number #2 rated hiking shoe for this year.
Getting the entire package of what the Merrell Moab Speed 2 offers at $140 is an absolute steal in my opinion.
If you’re looking for more robust hiking shoes check out the Merrell Moab 3 or the Salomon X Ultra 5.
Overall, the Speed 2 provides excellent value and I don’t think you could go wrong with picking up a pair.
Value: 5/5
Scoring Breakdown
Comfort: 8 / 10
Traction: 8.5 / 10
Stability & Support: 9 / 10
Fit: 4.5 / 5
Durability: 9 / 10
Value: 5 / 5
Total: 44/50
Our Rating: 8.8 / 10
Order the Merrell Moab Speed 2 for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
Disclosure: These links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to run the website 🙂
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Merrell Moab Speed 2 good hiking shoes?
Yes! The Merrell Moab Speed 2 are excellent hiking shoes. They perform well on varied terrain, currently rated as our #2 hiking shoe of this year.
Is Merrell Moab Speed good for running?
No, the Merrell Moab speed should be used as a hiking shoe only.
What is the difference between Merrell Moab Speed and Speed 2?
The Merrell Moab Speed 2 features more cushion, breathability, and has a reduced weight compared to the original Speed 2.
How We Tested and Our Methodology
I personally tested the Merrell Moab Speed 2 for 60 miles over 6 months 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 Speed 2’s 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.
We NEVER accept free products or sponsors, so all thoughts are our own.
Our Founder Tyler has over 15+ years of experience in the outdoors, including Hiking, Trekking, Mountaineering, Survival Skills, and much more. Tyler also serves as a Mountain Guide.