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Merrell Moab Speed 2 Review | Worth It In 2026?
Here I am going to give my HONEST Merrell Moab Speed 2 review for those wondering if these hiking shoes are WORTH it in 2026.
I have personally tested these shoes over 150 miles, and I will share my professional insights and overall test scores.
Editor’s Note: We updated this review on 6/29/26, with updates after 150 miles, as well as new video of us testing them on the Gros Pitons.
Our Verdict
The Merrell Moab Speed 2 is rated as our best hiking shoe of 2026. The Moab Speed 2 balances versatility with a rugged profile to take down technical trails.
Underfoot, the FloatPro midsole gives you a comfortable, cushioned ride, and the rock plate adds protection and stability when you land on sharp rocks.
Durability is also a strong point. The ripstop upper with added reinforcements handles scraping against rock and trail debris better than most lightweight hikers.
Traction is the final piece that makes it work. The Vibram TC5+ outsole grips well on wet rock, loose dirt, and uneven terrain, so you can keep moving without constantly thinking about your footing.
Overall, this is a great choice for day hikes and fast hiking when you want waterproof protection without the bulky feel of a traditional boot. We rated them an 8.8/10
Merrell Moab Speed 2 Pros and Cons
PROS
- Excellent traction
- Very Durable
- Lightweight design
CONS
- Breathability
- Not a maximalist shoe
Should you buy the Moab Speed 2?
Buy if
- You want one of the top-rated hiking shoes of 2026
- You hike on technical terrain
- You want a lightweight hiking shoe that’s comfortable right out of the box.
- You need a shoe suitable for light, quicker hikes
- You value good grip and stability on a variety of surfaces.
DON’T Buy if
- You want a waterproof shoe
- You prefer an extremely lightweight shoe
Merrell Moab Speed 2 Price
At the time of this writing, the Merrell Moab Speed 2 is 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: 8.5/10
While these hiking shoes are not the maximalist shoes you’ll find like the Hokas, they provide a nice, comfortable footbed.
The FloatPro foam midsole is comfortable; however, it remains firm. The Speed 2 definitely balances trail feel and comfort rather than leaning toward either extreme.
Recently, I hiked Gros Piton in St. Lucia with the Speed 2s. It is a very technical, rocky climb, and these shoes really handled the impact absorption on the way down. This saved my joints while others were complaining the entire way down.
The Merrell Moab Speed 2 has a very generous toe box. I didn’t have any areas of compression or areas of numbness. For those with wide feet, the fit is accommodating; however, it is not as wide as the Altra Lone Peak 9+ with the footshape fit.
The heel padding was nice and comfortable without feeling overly cramped or compressive.
The padded collar also helped prevent any hot spots during my longer hikes.
The tongue itself could have used a little bit more padding and tends to be on the shorter side. Had to keep pulling it up throughout the hike.
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 PER shoe, it is much lighter than the original Merrell Moab 3, which weighs around 1.1 lbs.
Traction: 8.5/10
Unlike most popular hiking boots, the Speed 2 features the Vibram TC5+ rubber compound rather than the standard Megagrip compound.
While the outsole is very grippy and provides reliable traction, it is slightly softer than the original fan-favorite Vibram Megarip.
During the ascent of the Gros Pitons, I found the grip extremely reliable on the wet rock. I did have a few slips; it was more so the unreliable terrain rather than the shoe itself.
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 into the terrain very well. On steep granite, the lugs bit in just enough to stop my heel from sliding.
One subtle note about the Speed 2 is that the lugs have “rubber micro spikes” that really give you an edge on the trail.
I felt the micro spikes were very effective during my ascents and gave that extra grip I needed to hold firm while moving my other foot.
Another key feature of the Merrell Speed 2 is the flared heel design; this allows for greater ground contact, enhancing heel grip.
This design is relatively new and resembles the Hoka Speedgoat 7, featuring a flared heel that engages the terrain better and provides enhanced grip.
Does The Merrell Moab Speed 2 Fit Well?
I ordered a men’s size 10.5, which fit perfectly. I have one foot with a high arch and the other with a low arch, making me an ideal tester for hiking shoe fit.
The shoe has a great amount of volume and contours to the top of your foot for a nice, secure lockdown. The rip-stop mesh is firm yet conforming, an ideal scenario for accommodating all foot shapes while still holding an extremely tight lockdown.
I don’t anticipate needing to size up or down for anyone when trying the Speed 2 out.
Merrell Speed 2 Fit 4.5/5
Merrell Speed 2 Mid Stability & Support 9/10
The Moab Speed 2 surprisingly has some of the best stability and support we’ve tested in a hiking shoe thus far.
The contoured heel cup provides a nice barrier against the edges of your heels, preventing you from overpronating or oversupinating during your stride.
This design allows your foot to fit comfortably inside the shoe, with the outsole wrapping up over your foot rather than you resting on top of it.
As a result, while hiking on uneven surfaces, the contoured heel cup helped keep my foot stable and prevented it from tilting to either side.
The upper is made from ripstop mesh and integrated leather, with traditional stitching to further enhance a rugged look while maintaining a very firm, secure lockdown.
During my testing, I had zero internal movement within the shoe itself. The lockdown is very solid.
The integrated lightweight flex plate wraps around your midsole, working its way up towards the sides of your toes, a mechanism similar to the Hoka Mafate X. This enhances stiffness, allowing you to tackle extremely uneven terrain.
The secure-fit heel counter adds excellent torsional stability to this shoe; this is where the Speed 2 gets its rugged feel from. During side-hill testing, the heel counter really kept my feet stable.
Durability 9.5/10
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 150 miles, the upper stitching has held up extremely well.
The lugs have minimal signs of wear and still hold the same grip they did on the day we purchased them.
Only note is there has been some fraying on the heel hooks, otherwise the durability is very solid.
The toe cap has shown no signs of delamination or breakdown.
Overall, Merrell 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 excellent stability, the Merrell Moab Speed 2 should be at the top of your list.
Compared to the average hiking shoe, the Moab Speed 2 is noticeably lighter and offers a softer, more comfortable ride, making it a great choice for those prioritizing comfort and weight.
Currently, this is our #1-rated hiking shoe for this year.
Getting the full package that the Merrell Moab Speed 2 offers for $140 is an absolute steal, in my opinion.
The Moab Speed 2 bridges the gap between traditional hiking shoes and trail runners, offering the agility of trail runners while providing greater stability and rugged protection.
However, if you need a sturdier hiking shoe for technical, rocky, or rugged terrain, or plan to carry heavy loads, you may want to consider other options.
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: 8.5 / 10
Traction: 8.5 / 10
Stability & Support: 9 / 10
Fit: 4.5 / 5
Durability: 9.5 / 10
Value: 5 / 5
Total: 45/50
Our Rating: 9 / 10
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 is an excellent hiking shoe. They perform well on varied terrain, currently rated as our #1 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 150 miles over 18 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 more than 3,000 miles of hiking across diverse terrain, 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.
Tyler
Tyler is the founder Mountaineer Journey and a professional Mountain Guide with 15+ years of technical experience in trekking, mountaineering, and trail sports. Having logged thousands of miles from rugged alpine summits to urban paths, Tyler provides rigorous, field-tested insights on hiking, walking, and trail running gear. All reviews are 100% unsponsored and unbiased, ensuring you get honest scoring based on real-world performance. His mission is to help outdoor enthusiasts of all levels find reliable equipment that ensures comfort, safety, and performance on any terrain.
