I walked 316,000 steps in the Merrell Moab 3, and they’re some of the comfiest hiking shoes I’ve ever worn

The Merrell Moab 3 are, without a doubt, some of the best hiking shoes I’ve ever tested. The super-grippy soles with 5mm lugs meant I never slipped, even on a slimy rock path, and the arch support helped my feet feel rejuvenated even on longer hikes. On top of that, the shoes are gorgeous, aren’t they?

I knocked off half a star because the ankle cushioning is a little too cushioned (to the point of making me feel more unsupported), but if you need serious ankle support, you’d be buying the boot version anyway, right? I personally am not overly fussed about ankle support — I wear my boots if I’m feeling unsteady.

So how do the Merrell Moab 3 hold up across hills, dusty paths, grassy knolls, wet slops, and everything in between? Let’s get into it — keep reading to find out the full story in this Merrell Moab 3 review.

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Merrell Moab 3 review: Specs

Merrell Moab 3 review: Price & availability

The Merrell Moab 3 come in two different styles (shoe and boot) and two waterproof levels: waterproof and non-waterproof. You can see from the images that I tested the non-waterproof shoe style.

The waterproof Moab 3 shoe will set you back $160 from REI. The non-waterproof shoe is $140 from REI.

If you are looking for the boot version, you’ll find the waterproof boot for $170 from REI, versus the non-waterproof boot’s $150 price tag.

In the U.K., you’ll find the non-GTX for £115 from Cotswolds Outdoor, and the GTX version is £145.

This is a standard price for hiking shoes these days. The Keen Targhee IV shoes (which we love) are $170, the Salomon XT-6 are $185, and my personal favorite, the Keen Jasper Zionic, are $150-$170 depending on color.

Merrell Moab 3 review: Design

The Merrell Moab 3 strike the perfect balance between form and function. As you can see from the images, I tested the yellow/beige color, which, granted, got pretty dirty after a couple of wears, but I didn’t mind this. The whole point of hiking shoes is to go outside and enjoy nature — and mud is just another facet of that. Hiking shoes would look weird if they were kept pristine; they’re not Nike Jordans.

I’ll discuss this more in the ‘Maintenance’ section below, but the Moab 3s are pretty easy to clean, regardless.

The upper is constructed from pigskin leather or suede depending on the colorway — mine use suede. I do wish Merrell offered a vegan version, like the Merrell Accentor hiking boots (my personal hiking boots I bought 4 years ago, when I was vegan).

Leather lamentation aside, the shoes use recycled laces and webbing, which is still better than nothing, but not as good as Icebug’s commitment to using biodegradable materials like a corn-based midsole and FSC rubber. I’d like to see Merrell — arguably the biggest outdoor shoe brand — adopt some of these practices.

As the shoes have a custom-made Vibram TC5+ sole, they’re incredibly sturdy and supportive yet also surprisingly responsive. I usually wear my Keen Jasper Zionics on hikes, so when I first put on the Moab 3, I was a little put off by the thick sole. However, the sole was super comfortable even on long walks, with fantastic shock absorption even on rocky paths.

I will say that my left arch started aching after around four hours, but this is something that happens with 90% of my footwear — my Keen Jasper Zionics are the only shoes I don’t experience this with.

Something I love about the Moab 3 is the bellows tongue. This seals the tongue to the upper and prevents debris from entering the shoe — at first, I was apprehensive, but it seriously works. I never had dust-covered socks, even after hikes during a heatwave.

The only drawback is that the shoe version has zero ankle support. Obviously this is not the case for the boot version, but be warned if you have weak ankles. The collar is cushioned and comfy, but it’s quite loose. I was able to get the shoes on and off without even untying the laces, resulting in an unsupported ankle during long walks. Ideally, I’d like to tighten the collar to provide a sturdier base.

Overall, I have very few complaints about the design of the Moab 3. I wish they were more supportive around the ankle, but other than that, I’m a fan. And if this is a dealbreaker for you, just buy the boot version instead.

Merrell Moab 3 review: Performance

To test the Merrell Moab 3, I wore them every day for over a month, racking up over 300,000 steps. I wore them on hikes and as everyday/hybrid shoes.

I wet them in my bathtub, and they took 24 hours to dry indoors at 68°F. Of course, if you have the GTX version, they won't let as much water in.

Hiking

When I wore the Moab 3 on hikes, my feet felt cushioned and supported. Even on rocky paths, I never felt unsteady. Going uphill was a breeze due to the 5mm, grippy lugs, even in muddy environments. The sole is fantastic at finding a hold and gluing you to it without any input from you.

After a spate of wet weather, I embarked on a downhill stony path-slash-slimy death trap, and I didn’t slip once. I’ve slipped on this path while wearing the Keen Seek, but never while wearing the Keen Jasper Zionic. I was pleasantly surprised when I didn’t slip with the Moab 3s.

As I mentioned in the ‘Design’ section, I noticed my left arch started aching after a few hours, but this is something I experience with all my shoes except the Jasper Zionic. My hiking boots, Merrell Accentor, also make my arch ache. I think it’s just a personal biological quirk.

Overall, I was really impressed with this performance. I can’t wait to get out again with these shoes.

Everyday

If you want a hybrid hiking shoe that can easily transform into an everyday shoe, I’m not convinced the Moab 3 is it. The shoe does look a little more… rugged… than others. I have no reservations about wearing my Jasper Zionic for hikes and everyday wear because they’re a little more subtle. The sole is smaller, and the upper isn’t as starkly “outdoor”-coded.

Of course, though, the Merrell 3 were mighty comfortable. When I was grocery shopping or gallivanting around the city, my feet were cushioned and secure. Would I buy these shoes as generic sneakers? No, of course not. They are, at their heart, hiking shoes, and that’s where they excel.

I live in Bath, U.K., a city with particularly uneven pavement (seeing as the majority of the roads were built before the U.S. was even a country), and the Moab 3 helped me balance more than Converse or Vans. But, again, I wouldn’t buy these shoes to use as sneakers. They do yearn for the wilderness.

Merrell Moab 3 review: Maintenance

Cleaning the Moab 3 is easy. I simply removed the laces and scrubbed (gently) with an old toothbrush. I personally like the lived-in look, so I didn’t want to clean too much.

Merrell sells leather lotion for $11 and extra laces for $8, which is surprisingly cheap. You could also get a leather brush or a suede brush to gently brush away dirt (but toothbrushes work similarly — just be sure to test in an inconspicuous spot first).

Whatever you do — do not machine wash!

With proper maintenance, Merrell shoes can last years and years. Personal anecdote incoming, but I’ve had Merrell Accentors for 4 years and they still look (almost) new, and I’ve inherited a pair of my nan’s leather walking boots from the days of yore and they are still incredibly durable. Proper care can do wonders!

If you have defective shoes, Merrell will replace them under its 1-year warranty.

Merrell Moab 3 review: Verdict

I love my Merrell Moab 3. These are hiking shoes that long for the wilderness. While my Keen Jasper Zionics look the part in both city excursions and outdoor adventures, the Moab 3 really excel in grass, mud, rocks, and everywhere in between. I want to go on extra hikes just to wear them more.

While I took off half a star for the lack of support around the ankle collar — the overly cushioned interior made me feel under-supported — I still recommend these shoes wholeheartedly. The sole is grippy and sturdy, and I didn’t slip once during my testing period, and I’m the clumsiest person in the world.

If you want a pair of rugged, stylish, and supremely functional shoes, you won’t be disappointed by the Moab 3. These shoes get a big thumbs up from me.