Merrell Moab Velocity 2 Evaluate

There’s a path behind my house 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. Usually, I attempt to run as a lot of it as attainable — although, on the uphill, you may classify my tempo extra precisely as “pace mountain climbing” (particularly throughout Colorado’s ungodly scorching summer time 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 certainly one 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 time 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 prime of all that, Merrell made the Moab Velocity 2 virtually completely from recycled supplies.

It was a reasonably large makeover for what an already very talked-about shoe, which might backfire in case 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 saved all the design options that made the Moab Velocity hiker so in style, and refined every little thing 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 cushty mountain climbing shoe and a succesful path working shoe.

Merrel Moab Velocity 2 Mountain climbing Shoe Evaluate

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

Certainly, the Merrell Moab 3 made it onto GearJunkie’s Finest Mountain climbing Footwear, Finest Mountain climbing Boots, and Finest Mountain climbing 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 created from 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 created from 100% recycled supplies. The unique Moab Velocity solely had recycled laces and lining and a 50% recycled insole prime 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 greater 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 transferring 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 embrace an connected “bellows tongue” that helps preserve 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 huge (and mangled) dimension 10.5 toes slipped into the Merrell Moab Velocity 2 like they have been glass slippers. A few of the critiques on the Merrell website complain of inaccurate sizing and implore individuals to attempt them on in a retailer earlier than buying. I didn’t have that have. They felt like a standard 10.5 shoe to me. After some finagling with the laces, they have been cosy, safe, and match nice.

I observed fairly rapidly how gentle these felt on my toes as I hiked and ran in them. At 12.34 ounces per shoe, these are among the lightest hikers I personal. Nevertheless, in comparison with different choices on GearJunkie’s Finest Mountain climbing Footwear roundup, the Merrell Moab Velocity 2 falls close to the mid-range, simply over the median weight.

Within the Discipline

Although I hadn’t hiked within the unique Moab Velocity sneakers, the “additional” 30% cushion supplied 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 stunned me. My toes are inclined to overheat fairly simply — particularly after I’m working downhill. Including to that, my lunch break hikes sometimes 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 supplied greater than ample traction for the paths I wore these on. Many of the terrain was rocky, gravel, and/or unfastened filth. I additionally wore them whereas strolling alongside the Colorado River on moist stones with out slipping or shedding my footing.

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

I solely type of agree with that. It does really feel like a really secure, gentle hiker for its weight. However it 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, quicker, and usually 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 case you’re a pace hiker, long-distance hiker, or simply somebody who likes mountain climbing sneakers that supply stability and luxury, I’d level you towards the Merrell Moab Velocity 2. For an all-around each day driver that may deal with most trails, paces, and terrain, this shoe is tough 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 shall be carrying a variety of weight. Possibly 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 strong and stability-focused hikers.

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