When designing the original Moab boot – well over a decade ago now – Merrell’s intention was to create the definitive ‘category killer’: a super-comfortable, supremely versatile line of multi-sport footwear, equally well suited to hiking trails or pounding pavements. It worked.
The US brand now claims that the Moab is the world’s best-selling boot. It was also well-named. Though the Moab references the dramatic landscape of Eastern Utah, the name ‘MOAB’ is also an acronym for ‘Mother Of All Boots’.
As Merrell’s defining footwear range, the Moab series is also being continually tweaked and refined. While the core Moab is a mid-weight hiking boot with fairly middle-of-the-road looks, the newer Moab Speed line is a lighter option, with a more dynamic silhouette inspired by Merrell’s trail running shoes.
Merrell has confidently dubbed the second-generation version of the Moab Speed as ‘the future of hiking’ – a big claim indeed. It is currently available in low or mid-cut styles, with or without a waterproof lining.
But if you’re looking for a lightweight, comfortable and flexible leather walking boot for three-season use in hills and mountains, we reckon it’s the Merrell Speed 2 Leather Mid WP (WP = waterproof) that looks the most compelling proposition.
On paper, it should bring all (or most) of the lightweight benefits of the Moab Speed family, whilst also adding a bit more lifetime durability and value, as well as improved foot protection and weatherproofing.
LFTOwww.ellis-brigham.com
Pros
- Lightweight
- Good out-of-the-box comfort
- Grippy Vibram sole
Cons
- Can get hot and sweaty
- Limited flood height
| RRP: | £170 / $190 |
| Sizes: | Men’s UK 6.5-14, women’s UK 3.5-8.5 |
| Upper: | Moulded leather, synthetic and textile upper (100% recycled lace webbing, breathable mesh lining and mesh footbed cover, plus 50% recycled removable EVA foam footbed) |
| Waterproof lining: | Merrell WP Dry |
| Midsole: | FloatPro Foam midsole with FlexPlate |
| Outsole: | Vibram TC5+ Traction Lug |
| Weight: | 455g/16oz per boot (UK 9) |
Design and features
With contemporary looks and some stylish colourways for both men and women, this is a good-looking boot. When you slip it on, it also has a very familiar, trainer-like feel. We think this trademark out-of-the-box comfort is probably a big part of the Moab’s enduring popularity – though it looks like a proper hiking boot, it doesn’t feel like one.
Having said that, this leather version is obviously a little stiffer than the standard textile-based Speed 2 Mid. So, you might need marginally more break-in time, though on test, we found that within 15-20 miles or so, the moulded leather uppers had contoured nicely to our feet. The upside is that this leather model feels significantly sturdier and more protective than the fabric version. For UK hills and mountains, this is undoubtedly a big plus.
The added weight penalty is also less than you might think. A reference pair in a men’s UK 9, for example, tips the scales at 455g, compared to 400g for the fabric Gore-Tex mid. So, this model isn’t significantly heavier, despite feeling more capable and more durable.
Unlike the standard fabric Moab Speed 2, the leather model uses Merrell’s own waterproof liner rather than a Gore-Tex bootie construction.
We noticed no difference in performance terms though, and the use of moulded leather uppers also makes cleaning and reproofing much easier, as you can wax them liberally as needed. The tongue is gusseted but only up to the base of the ankle, which does restrict the boot’s overall flood height somewhat.
The lacing system utilises a series of webbing eyelets, one of which is set back to help pull the heel in tight. A single metal speed hook ensures they’re easy to get on and off, aided by a rear leather pull tab at the heel. The tongue and ankle collar are both nicely padded, with a wicking fabric lining that is comfortable yet surprisingly durable, with good resistance to abrasion.
Underfoot, the midsole is Merrell’s FloatPro Foam, which was originally developed for its trail running shoes but has since been applied to some of Merrell’s lightweight hiking range as well. On other Merrell models, we’ve found it to be a good middle ground between squishy cushioning and longer-term durability.
You also get a Vibram TC5+ outsole, though the lug pattern is different to the standard Moab boot. It still features quite beefy 4mm lugs with Vibram’s latest ‘traction lug’ tech: a series of tiny nodules on the sides of each lug that supposedly increase surface area (and therefore overall traction) by up to 25 per cent.
Performance and comfort
First and foremost, we were really impressed by the feel of the Moab Speed 2 Mid Leather WP. It hugs the heel and midfoot nicely but feels spacious enough around the forefoot and toes.
Sizing seems broadly true to size, and we tested the same size boot as our usual ‘street shoe size’, though overall length isn’t perhaps the most generous. If you’re on the cusp of different sizes, we’d advise choosing the bigger of the two.
Padding around the ankle isn’t as soft as some rivals either, yet interestingly, despite being only a mid-height boot, we found it provided sturdier ankle support than most similar rivals. The added structure you get from the leather uppers is doubtless partly to thank here.
On test, the boot proved well equipped for day hikes in Snowdonia, our testing ground. The Vibram outsole gave dependable grip, the lined leather uppers were protective and reliably waterproof, and the lightweight build didn’t leave us feeling heavy-legged or footsore at the end of a long hill day.
We found it a superb boot for familiar, well-trodden tracks and trails. It’s even a good performer when things get quite wet, muddy and slippery. Unlike the fabric version, this leather model also gives you the durability and support you need for more off piste adventures and challenging mountain routes.
Underfoot, there’s a FlexPlate for torsional rigidity and lateral stability. This ensures the boot doesn’t twist on uneven ground, but still provides a flex point towards the toes for a natural gait. Only the mid height limits its capabilities on really boggy ground, while the flexible build (which is great for general hillwalking) means it’s not the best boot for technical terrain or scrambling.
And though the leather doesn’t scuff up too badly, we do think the toe box would benefit from added reinforcement, such as a rubber toecap or overlay.
On the other hand, the moulded leather panels ensure the midfoot area feels much less exposed compared to the standard Speed 2 Mid’s relatively flimsy pieces of mesh. The obvious downside is that this is a fairly warm boot – a benefit in cooler, wetter weather, but a drawback in high summer.
Sustainability
Obviously, the leather uppers of the Moab Speed 2 Mid Leather WP mean it is not vegan-friendly (the textile version is though). However, it does contain some recycled material in the upper and insole. You get 100% recycled laces and webbing, 100% recycled breathable mesh lining, a 100% recycled mesh footbed cover and a 50% recycled removable EVA foam footbed.
Merrell has a number of sustainability goals it aims to achieve by 2025, plus a recycling programme, but they lack specifics. These include all its products containing organic, recycled, or renewable materials, and reduce plastic packaging.
Unfortunately, Merrell has consistently received very low marks in the annual Fashion Transparency Index, which reports and rates the world’s biggest fashion brands on their public disclosure of their supply chain practices and impacts.
Price and competition
The standard Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX has an RRP of £155. This leather version is £15 more expensive, at £170. This puts it slightly above the median price point for most mid-cut hiking boots, but for us, it’s worth the extra outlay, since opting for leather means you get added lifetime durability and a more protective, structured upper.
One obvious rival would be our 2025 ‘Best Value’ pick in the best three-season walking boots list, the KEEN Pyrenees (£160 RRP). That boot offers even better durability and protection as well as improved flood height. It’s quite a bit heavier though, and much chunkier, which means it doesn’t have the Moab Speed 2 Mid’s ‘fast and light’ feel. We also think the Vibram sole of the Merrell boots performs better across mixed terrain than KEEN’s own design.
If it’s a featherweight hiking boot you’re after, then other brands to consider include Inov8 (look at the RocFly G390 GTX, Roclite Mid GTX and Pro Mid GTX) and Hoka (the Sky Kaha or Anacapa Mid). There’s also the Salomon X Ultra 360 Mid GTX, which is not just light but also good value, at under 400g per boot and priced at £150. In all cases though, you’ll need to accept a trade off when it comes to overall structure, protection and long-term durability.
Verdict
A comfortable all-rounder for day hikes, with upgraded leather uppers that negate most of the drawbacks of the standard Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid without adding too much weight.
About the author
Matt Jones is a freelance journalist based in the heart of Snowdonia National Park, he’s a vastly experienced gear tester and self-confessed outdoor kit geek. Matt’s been one of our main gear testers for the last couple of years and is the first person we call with any complicated kit queries that need in-depth and forensic analysis.