Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX walking boot | Tested and reviewed

Moab walking boots and shoes are Merrell’s defining footwear range, and are among the world’s best-selling outdoor footwear.

But Merrell products extend beyond Moab and includes trail running shoes and a family of lightweight hiking footwear called the Speed range, among others.

You can see what’s happened here. The Moab family and Speed family have come together, creating a new line called Moab Speed. Where the Moab boot has always been a mid-weight boot, the Speed is very much a lightweight option.

In amalgamating the two, the Moab Speed takes on the Speed’s lightweight upper, while also inheriting a chunkier, more aggressive Vibram sole, which is something it has in common with the Moab range. Given the global surge in demand for American-style lightweight hiking boots, it’s understandable why Merrell wants to expand its offerings.

To find out whether the Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX stands out in a highly competitive market, we’ve been giving it a thorough workout.

Design and features

The Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX arrives at the shootout well armed. Underneath, it has a Vibram TC5+ outsole like the heavier but well-loved Moab range. The lug pattern is different but still features quite beefy 4mm lugs.

The misdole 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.

The upper is a fully synthetic construction, with some reinforcing at the toe and a Gore-Tex waterproof lining. Moab Speed 2 Mid models all have a Gore-Tex lining, but in the lower cut shoe versions, you can get it with or without.

Performance and comfort

First and foremost, we were really impressed by the fit and feel of the Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX. It hugs the heel nicely while being moderately spacious around the forefoot and toes. Padding around the ankle isn’t as plush as we’ve experienced on many rivals, yet interestingly, the Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX provides better ankle support.

In terms of performance, we think the Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX is very well equipped for day walks thanks to its grippy, versatile outsole; reliable Gore-Tex liner; out-of-the-box comfort; and lightweight construction.

We found it a superb boot for on-path hill walks and rural tracks where things get quite wet, muddy, and slippery. But it lacks the durability and support you need for venturing off piste, long-distance treks, and challenging mountain routes.

For example, while the toecap gets a piece of tougher fabric to help with abrasion resistance, the toecap isn’t stiffened, and nor does the reinforcing extend around the side of the boot. In fact, we felt the flanks are quite vulnerable with its exposed pieces of mesh, which do help with ventilation, but certainly not for durability.

Sustainability

Many will be pleased to learn the Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX is vegan-friendly. It also contains some recycled material in the upper and insole.

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

At the time of writing, the Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX has an RRP of £155. We think that puts it almost exactly at the median price point for walking boots of this type.

One of the main rivals in this arena is the Inov-8 Roclite G345 GTX V2. Like the Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX, it’s a vegan-friendly, Gore-Tex-lined, lightweight hiking boot that costs £155. However, it’s even lighter than the Merrell and features a very durable and aggressive outsole.

There are also lightweight rivals that offer improved durability, such as the Oboz Katabatic Mid Waterproof and Scarpa Rush 2 Mid GTX, although they are more expensive.

Verdict

There’s plenty to like about the Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX – the comfort, versatility, and the reasonable price. As an all-rounder for day hikes, we like it a lot.

But there are even lighter options, there are better performing options, and there are cheaper options. So if one of those characteristics is a priority for you, it’s worth exploring those avenues further.

How we tested

The Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX was tested by Chris Williams, one of our staff writers and gear reviewers, in his local testing ground: the Yorkshire Dales.

Chris joined us in 2021 and has several years of journalistic and outdoor industry experience in addition to a lifetime's worth of hiking.

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