REASONS TO BUY
Very comfortable
Good value
Quality construction
REASONS TO AVOID
Not lightweight
Average traction overall
Merrell Moab 3 Review
These offer a lot of comfort for the warm weahter hiker that doesn't plan on getting their feet wet
Credit: Chris Maxcer
By Chris Maxcer ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ October 13, 2025
Contributions From: Ryan Huetter
RELATED: The Best Hiking Shoes for Men
Our Verdict
We have been testing the Moab line for many years now, and we are still pleased with it. The latest version, the Merrell Moab 3 remains one of our favorite shoes for warm weather hiking. They are comfortable above all else, but the support and traction is ideal for most trails. While they aren't waterproof, we aren't immediately put off by this, as waterproof linings can often be a nightmare for arid climates. We have some concerns for their longevity, but overall, we are pleased with these hiking shoes.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Merrell Moab 3 is a non-waterproof hiking shoe that uses generous patches of mesh paneling to allow the foot to remain reasonably cool in hot weather. Using pigskin leather in areas of higher wear, it is soft and comfortable. Offering solid overall performance across our review metrics, its lack of waterproofing makes it a stellar choice for those who want to go on hardpack dry trail conditions and in warm climates.
While slightly heavy, these burly hiking shoes felt comfortable, stable, and delivered sure-footed traction that gave us confidence to tackle any trail -- proving to us once again why they're such a popular model.
Credit: Chris Maxcer
Comfort
Available in both regular and wide fit, those with wider feet can rejoice that they can find a well-fitted shoe. We tested the regular width and found it to fit comfortably snug but not tight, and did not have any complaints about any excess of room in the toe box or the heel cup. We had no issues with hot spots or blisters, and hiked predominantly on warm or hot days in the high desert where these issues can be common. We think the fit is quite accommodating, true to size in length and slightly wider than average, allowing them to work well for many different people. The lacing system also let us dial in perfect snugness with zero trouble.
Right out of the box, these shoes are comfortable with plenty of cushion underfoot and in the upper. We appreciated the padded tounge that prevents the laces from tightening into the skin. The one thing these shoes do exceptionally well compared to most other shoes is allow your feet to breathe, a huge win for comfort.
Even when temperatures pushed past 90 degrees Fahrenheit, our feet stayed relatively cool and comfortable, making this a great option for warm weather hikers.
Credit: Chris Maxcer
Support
The Moab 3 has been a familiar favorite for years thanks to its comfort and cushioning. It uses a molded nylon shank to impart a level of structure to the shoe and an Air Cushion layer to give additional impact absorption when bounding along firm and rocky trails. The wide platform gives a good level of ankle-rolling resistance. The padded ankle cuff gives a level of support around the lower ankle, and laces securely lock the foot into place with little slippage. One of our testers chose this shoe to wear while huckleberry picking in heavy brush on steep ground in Idaho and felt quite secure.
It is a hiking shoe, though, and does not offer extended ankle support, and the soft materials used in the upper gain structure when compressed around the foot but do not have much structure alone. These are great day hiking shoes, and even perform well when carrying moderately heavy backpacks, such as on a weekend overnight trip, but are not robust enough to be recommended for severe off-trail travel in rough terrain, as the emphasis placed on comfort has a direct impact on their nimbleness and ability to edge one more technical uneven surfaces.
We appreciate how the leather panels provide lateral support to our feet but easily flex when needed.
Credit: Chris Maxcer
Traction
The Moab 3 uses a tried and true Vibram rubber compound that is soft enough to provide traction on smooth surfaces yet durable enough to bite into loose terrain. While it is not as sticky as other Vibram compounds that are found on higher-performance hiking shoes, it gives solid above-average performance, especially when compared to many of the proprietary rubber blends used in other inexpensive shoes.
While some minor improvements have been made to the outsole lug design, they are still fairly shallow and wide, making them work well on packed trails on on smooth surfaces like rock slabs, they clog easily while hiking over wet and mucky dirt. Given that we are discussing the non-waterproof version of this shoe, which will be most suited to dry conditions, this seems like a fair compromise.
On very steep stone, the burly lugs are soft enough to grab, flex, and hold without slipping, making scrambling around on boulders a fun diversion.
Credit: Chris Maxcer
Water Resistance
We found that the Moab 3 breathed well in warm temperatures when compared to the waterproof versions. However, if these shoes do get wet, they do not dry out as fast as you might expect. Even though there is a lot of mesh, the padding (which we appreciate for comfort) takes a while to fully dry back out if you do find yourself fording a creek or hiking in a rain shower. If you like the Merrell Moab 3 but need waterproofing, keep in mind that it is available in a waterproof version.
In our stream crossing test, we could step quickly once, maybe twice if we were lucky without getting our feet wet. However, once upper mesh panels are saturated, which happens fast if you flex the shoe as our water test above shows, water gushes through the wet areas into these admittedly non-waterproof shoes.
Credit: Chris Maxcer
Weight
The Moab 3 shoes come in at a relatively heavy 2.42 pounds, making them some of the heavier shoes we've reviewed. Lower sizes will weigh in closer to 2 pounds per pair, which isn't bad, but that weight is noticeable on the foot when compared to a really svelte shoe that uses much more mesh and full synthetic uppers.
What this shoe does deliver along with the added weight is solid support underfoot — the midsole is a lot more robust than in many of those light shoes. It would not be our top choice for a really long-distance hike, but for most day hiking and light backpacking use, the extra few ounces will not be a deal breaker.
Our size 14 shoes shown above weigh in at 2.42 pounds per pair, which is slightly heavy compared to non-waterproof options that typically use lighter, fully synthetic uppers. If you appreciate extra stability, the slight weight gain for the leather might be worth it.
Credit: Chris Maxcer
Durability
We have worn Merrell shoes and boots for many seasons with reliable durability. The Moab 3 has no indications that it will be any different. It uses pigskin leather and mesh on the upper, and while there are a number of seams present it has a quality build and should hold up to reasonable use.
The overall blend of build quality results in a durable, supportive shoe that delivers a great value.
Should You Buy the Merrell Moab 3?
The Merrell Moab 3 is a great choice for anyone hiking in dry, arid climates. They aren't waterproof, so if you frequent mountain streams or dewy meadows, these could leave your feet wet and unhappy. Otherwise, we think these are a good choice for most hikers making their way down dry, hardpacked trails.
What Other Hiking Boots Should You Consider?
We really love the comfort and the additional waterproofing of the Hoka Anacapa 2 shoes, which are one of the best shoes we tested. For a lighter shoe that will do really well in warm environments but also has a Gore-Tex lining, the La Sportiva Spire is a super choice. Meanwhile, we have to mention the new Merrell Moab Speed 2, which is a lightweight, full-synthetic version that isn't as robust as the Moab 3, but it's even cooler for hot-weather hiking.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Merrell Moab 3 versus top competing products:
—Chris Maxcer and Ryan Huetter
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