Backside Line
The Merrell Moab Velocity 2 is one in all our prime picks for the finest ladies’s climbing footwear and is a good alternative for hikers and backpackers who need one thing trendy and light-weight with a extra strong construct. When testing the Moab Velocity 2 alongside the PCT, we discovered it delivers the safety of a standard climbing shoe with the nimbleness of a path runner. The decently sturdy toe cap and heel held up over rocky terrain, uneven floor, talus scrambling, and uncovered roots. The shoe gives distinctive consolation, making it excellent for day hikes and light-weight backpacking, and it’s priced affordably in comparison with extra rugged fashions. Nevertheless, a beefier possibility is perhaps the transfer for carrying heavier backpacks or tackling lengthy, demanding slogs.
Fast Specs
Ladies’s Merrell Moab Velocity 2
Wonderful for Model, Weight, & Sturdiness
Worth:
$140
Weight (Pair):
1 lb. 3.4 oz.
Heel-to-Toe Drop:
10 mm
Execs
- Light-weight
- Fashionable
- Above-average consolation
- No break-in wanted
- Wonderful Traction
- Much less Costly
Cons
- Much less cushioned
- Not supportive sufficient for heavy masses
Consolation
The Merrell Moab Velocity 2 really delivers on consolation. Throughout our hikes round Lake Tahoe and Donner Cross, the plush midsole feels nice below the foot, even on jagged floor. On our trek by the rugged terrain of the Pacific Crest Path close to Donner Cross, the added foam within the midsole offered a soft really feel even after miles of climbing over boulders. The versatile nylon higher and ample padding across the collar stored our toes comfy and didn’t get any sizzling spots. Nevertheless, the extensive toe field did result in a barely much less safe match, which we observed on extra technical sections. These footwear supply distinctive consolation for lengthy day hikes or much less technical routes. The shoe felt a tad heat within the warmth, however the breathable higher helped management foot temperature and general was not a significant concern.
Traction
The Moab Velocity 2 had nice grip by various terrain round Lake Tahoe. The Vibram outsole, with its 4mm lugs, stored us from sliding on free gravel and muddy patches, making our hike alongside the Tahoe Rim Path fairly regular. Nevertheless, on steep, rocky descents, akin to these encountered on the Donner Cross trails, the traction wasn’t as dependable. The marginally free match additionally performed a job on this. We discovered the sizing to be a bit giant and the match beneficiant, which meant though the underside traction could have been secure, it lended to an insecure feeling with a number of motion contained in the shoe. For basic path circumstances and reasonable inclines, the traction gives good stability.
Weight
The load of the Moab Velocity 2 is a candy spot for many hikers. At 1.25 kilos for a ladies’s measurement 8, they have been mild sufficient for fast, nimble climbing round Lake Tahoe, however nonetheless sturdy sufficient for the rocky trails. This steadiness made them excellent for our various hikes, the place we wanted to maneuver swiftly however nonetheless wanted sufficient help for uneven terrain.
Sturdiness
The Moab Velocity 2 gives unparalleled sturdiness. We examined these footwear on the rugged trails round Reno and the Sierra Nevada, together with some demanding routes just like the steep and rocky paths of the Tahoe Nationwide Forest. Regardless of scrambling over sharp rocks and navigating by brush, the footwear held up remarkably properly, exhibiting solely minor beauty put on. The heel and toe caps and the robust nylon higher present they’re constructed to resist tough use over time.
Climate Resistance
The Moab Velocity 2 aren’t notably waterproof. When the footwear bought moist, the water seeped by the higher pretty simply. Nevertheless, we didn’t discover the dampness after some time, because the shoe remained comfy. The footwear took longer to dry than different fashions, just like the Saucony, but it surely wasn’t a significant concern as a result of they remained comfy.
Ought to You Purchase the Merrell Moab Velocity 2?
The Merrell Moab Velocity 2 is a powerful alternative for hikers who need a shoe that isn’t missing in type however gives efficiency and luxury for quite a lot of trails. The Moab Velocity 2 gives ample cushioning and help for day hikes with wonderful traction. Its light-weight design and cushioned midsole make it excellent for quick adventures, however you might have considered trying one thing extra water resistant or extra supportive for a multi-day trekking. For technical, rocky scrambles or steep, uneven terrain, the shoe’s roomier match and fewer aggressive traction won’t present the safety or grip you want. You might need to measurement down if you’re primarily doing technical hikes. General, it’s an amazing alternative for balancing type with perform and practicality however could fall quick in extraordinarily moist circumstances or for lengthy, fully-loaded pack missions.
What Different Ladies’s Mountaineering Footwear Ought to You Contemplate?
Salomon X Extremely 4 GTX: For those who’re contemplating the Merrell Moab Velocity 2, you may also just like the Salomon X Extremely 4 GTX, which is ideal for individuals who need a sturdy shoe that feels virtually like a path runner. It’s nice for backpackers and day hikers who need to deal with difficult terrain with superior traction.
Topo Ultraventure 3: This lighter, extra breathable possibility with higher help is great for hikers who want consolation and grip. The Topos’s ethereal design makes it a good selection for lengthy days within the warmth or for these hot-footed of us on the market.
Merell Moab 3 Assessment: For those who’re drawn to the Moab Velocity’s consolation however want one thing extra rugged, the Merrell Moab 3 is a stable decide. It’s excellent for hikers preferring a protecting shoe that can final a very long time.
