Merrell Moab Velocity 2 Evaluation

There’s a path behind my residence that punches straight up previous Doc Holliday’s grave, 4.2 miles, and 1,824 toes, to an overlook of Mount Sopris. I climb it a few instances per week. Typically, I attempt to run as a lot of it as potential — although, on the uphill, you may classify my tempo extra precisely as “velocity mountain climbing” (particularly throughout Colorado’s ungodly sizzling summer season days).

It additionally serves as a proving floor for a lot of the footwear I check — and there was loads! However I had but to put on a hiker on one in every of my jaunts up there that felt as certified for the reasonably steep and rocky path because the Merrell Moab Velocity 2.

The shoe debuted this summer season and is the newest iteration of the model’s bestselling hiker. Merrell mentioned it packs all the advantages of a mountain climbing boot right into a shoe — 30% extra cushion, a full-length flex plate for stability, and a lighter and extra nimble feeling. On high of all that, Merrell made the Moab Velocity 2 nearly completely from recycled supplies.

It was a fairly large makeover for what an already very fashionable shoe, which might backfire when you’re fixing one thing that ain’t broke. But when my expertise with the Moab Velocity 2 is something to evaluate by, I’d say it may need set a brand new excessive watermark for Merrell.

Briefly: Merrell stored the entire design options that made the Moab Velocity hiker so widespread, and refined all the things else for the Moab Velocity 2 ($140). It gives a softer feeling underfoot, has extra help than a typical path runner, breathes nicely, and is made largely from recycled and vegan-friendly supplies. It’s a snug mountain climbing shoe and a succesful path operating shoe.

Merrel Moab Velocity 2 Mountaineering Shoe Evaluation

The Moab debuted 17 years in the past in 2007 and have become the model’s most profitable shoe so far. In accordance with Merrell, it’s the primary “most commercially profitable mountain climbing footwear line on this planet.”

Certainly, the Merrell Moab 3 made it onto GearJunkie’s Greatest Mountaineering Footwear, Greatest Mountaineering Boots, and Greatest Mountaineering Footwear for Girls roundups. In 2021, Merrell unveiled a extra aggressive iteration with the launch of the Moab Velocity line.

Supplies & Design

The entire supplies on the Merrell Moab Velocity 2 are vegan-friendly. The higher is made out of nylon ripstop and TPU, which is gentle and breathes very nicely. The remainder of the shoe, from the laces to the mesh lining, footbed cowl, and EVA foam footbed are all made out of 100% recycled supplies. The unique Moab Velocity solely had recycled laces and lining and a 50% recycled insole high sheet.

With a 34-24mm heel-toe stack, this shoe has sufficient cushion to simply traverse rocky terrain or gravel with out feeling each sharp edge. Merrell mentioned it added 30% extra cushion to the Moab Velocity 2 to make lengthy days on the path extra comfy and for a extra agile-feeling shoe.

One of many larger upgrades within the Moab Velocity 2 is a full-length light-weight FlexPlate, which the earlier model didn’t have. It provides stability and prevents torsion when shifting over uneven floor.

The twin heel and tongue loops make getting the shoe on and off comparatively simple — though they could possibly be barely bigger. My post-hike swollen fingers struggled to suit into them.

Different notable points of the Moab Velocity 2 embody an hooked up “bellows tongue” that helps maintain sand and rocks out of your sneakers, Vibram TC5+ outsole and traction lugs for grip, protecting heel and toecaps, and a padded collar across the ankle. It additionally has an odor-control therapy.

Match & Really feel

My vast (and mangled) dimension 10.5 toes slipped into the Merrell Moab Velocity 2 like they have been glass slippers. Among the evaluations on the Merrell web site complain of inaccurate sizing and implore folks to attempt them on in a retailer earlier than buying. I didn’t have that have. They felt like a traditional 10.5 shoe to me. After some finagling with the laces, they have been comfortable, safe, and match nice.

I seen fairly rapidly how gentle these felt on my toes as I hiked and ran in them. At 12.34 ounces per shoe, these are a few of the lightest hikers I personal. Nonetheless, in comparison with different choices on GearJunkie’s Greatest Mountaineering Footwear roundup, the Merrell Moab Velocity 2 falls close to the mid-range, simply over the median weight.

Within the Area

Although I hadn’t hiked within the authentic Moab Velocity sneakers, the “further” 30% cushion offered stable power return. I felt good and will comfortably navigate obstacles, stepping on rocks and thru gravel sections of the path. These aren’t minimalist sneakers, however they don’t really feel as cushioned as, say, a Hoka.

The breathability of the Merrell Moab Velocity 2 shocked me. My toes are likely to overheat fairly simply — particularly after I’m operating downhill. Including to that, my lunch break hikes usually happen through the hottest a part of the day. However my toes stayed notably cooler in these sneakers than they usually would.

The 4mm Vibram lugs offered greater than ample traction for the paths I wore these on. Many of the terrain was rocky, gravel, and/or free dust. I additionally wore them whereas strolling alongside the Colorado River on moist stones with out slipping or dropping my footing.

Merrell says the Moab Velocity 2 gives “the advantages of a boot within the type of a light-weight, breathable mountain climbing sneaker.”

I solely sort of agree with that. It does really feel like a really steady, gentle hiker for its weight. But it surely doesn’t supply the ankle help of a mid or a real mountain climbing boot, just like the Meindl MFS-Vakuum Hiker and even the SCARPA Moraine. It additionally doesn’t supply the identical degree of safety in its higher as a extra substantial shoe or boot.

The tradeoff is that the Moab Velocity 2 is lighter, sooner, and customarily extra approachable for almost all of hikers. That’s what’s made Merrell’s Moab line so successful within the first place.

Merrell Moab Velocity 2: Who Is It For?

In the event you’re a velocity hiker, long-distance hiker, or simply somebody who likes mountain climbing sneakers that provide stability and luxury, I’d level you towards the Merrell Moab Velocity 2. For an all-around every day driver that may deal with most trails, paces, and terrain, this shoe is difficult to beat. They’re very succesful for gentle and quick mountain climbing over longer distances and reasonably variable terrain.

However, I wouldn’t essentially suggest it for backpackers who can be carrying a number of weight. Perhaps it’s simply my bias towards extra conventional mountain climbing boots, however I don’t assume this shoe can be utilized as an alternative to a pair of extra sturdy and stability-focused hikers.

Merrell is aware of what has made this wildly widespread line of mountain climbing sneakers. It looks like it’s preserving that and refining the remaining, sprucing the design, and discovering new methods to make this fan favourite mountain climbing shoe extra sustainable over time.