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Merrell Moab Vs Moab 2
Merrell is known for producing some of the best outdoor footwear available.
Their Moab shoe is no exception and raises the bar when it comes to durability, comfort, and costs. With so many happy fans worldwide, why would they take the already-successful shoe and create a second version of it?
It turns out that the designers behind the shoe just wanted to add a few minor tweaks. There’s nothing wrong with improving upon something that’s already great, is there?
Let’s get right into why you should be eyeing the Moab 2 shoes as a replacement for your old worn out hiking shoes.
Merrell Moab 2 Waterproof Test!!
Cha-Cha- Changes
First things first, let’s talk about the upgrades in the Moab 2 shoe and why they’re so special.
The Speed Band
The biggest upgrade is what the design team calls the “Speed Band” down the side of the shoe. There’s a silicone type band inside the shoe that helps reinforce the stability within the shoe. Don’t worry, you won’t feel it against your foot and you probably wouldn’t have noticed it until we mentioned it.
The purpose of this silicon band allows the shoe to roll with your foot and ankle while still maintaining stability.
It’s more of a comfort thing.
A Shoe That Has Its Very Own Ribcage?
Next, the 4 semi vertical bars that wrap around the sides of the shoe act as ribcage that holds the foot in place regardless of where your shoes take you.
Your foot will stay secure with no slippage.
The Shoe Materials Get an Upgrade
The external materials have been upgraded from your typical suede to a waterproof leather suede that repels water and moisture.
Any liquids that meet your shoe will bead off while your feet remain dry.
But that’s not the only neat thing about this suede material.
The fibers in the suede leather reflect and maintain the color well, so you’ll get richer and more vibrant colors that will last for several months or years down the road.
An Improved Footbed
The footbed has a contoured design with an improved arch support with a resin-like material that will help absorb the shock through the heel.
What can I use these shoes for?
Anything really!
You can bike in them, hike, walk around the block, or just use them as your everyday shoe.
They’re comfortable and designed to last.
Whatever activity you decide to tackle in these shoes, your feet will stay comfortable- even on warm days.
What else should I know?
The Moab 2 brings 4 different models to the market to choose from:
Some important notes: Anything that has Mid in the name just means it extends a little higher than the ankle.
Also, the models vary depending on the type of the material used for waterproofing and how well it keeps moisture from getting to your feet.
Moab 2 Gore Tex and the Moab 2 Gore Tex Mid
With these two shoes, you’ll get all the awesome features we mentioned above, but then Merrel threw in some a Gore-Tex membrane to sweeten the deal. This membrane further enhances the already waterproofing ability of these shoes, by acting as a double barrier.
Just in case, you know?
These Gore-Tex shoes also utilize a synthetic suede leather on the upper part of the shoe instead of the typical performance suede you would normally see.
Moab 2 Waterproof
These are also waterproof, but…. they lack the Gore-Tex membrane and have the performance suede instead of the synthetic suede leather.
How do these differ from the Gore-Tex shoes above?
They’ll keep your feet dry in moderately wet or damp conditions, but for anything that requires walking through creeks or extremely wet conditions, we’d advise you to skip these and just grab the Gore-Tex lined shoes when you want to be certain that your feet will stay dry.
>>Click Here For Merrell Moab Gore-Tex Vs Waterproof Comparison
Moab 2 Vent
While Merrel has produced what some have called the “Mother of All Shoes”, there are some sacrifices you must make when looking for the ideal pair of shoes.
While some shoes have come close in ticking off all the boxes for an outdoor shoe, you’ll never find one that can do it all.
The Moab 2 Vent shoe offers you better breathability and comfort, but at what cost?
Well, you’ll have to weigh whether having a waterproof shoe is more important than having a shoe that allows the air to circulate around your feet more freely.
The Moab Vent, as the name implies, allows your feet to breathe better but it also means your feet will probably be soaked when it comes to anything that involves water or liquids.
The Verdict – Merrell Moab Vs Moab 2
Picking the right one comes down to your personal preferences and what you need the shoe for. With 4 different versions to choose from, it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll find one that works for you and your situation. For our particular use, our preference remains the Merrell Moab 2.
The only material difference is that they have changed to a narrower last so the once perfect fit has been destroyed. Pathetic!