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Once you get into hiking, it is important to start considering the best options for gear to include backpacks, hiking poles, water bottles, and of course, shoes. Whether you are hiking over flat terrain or mountain trails, you will want to have supportive and comfortable shoes. Not only that, every item you carry with you is an added weight. Shoes included. This makes it especially important to consider many aspects of your gear since you’ll be carrying it some form on your hikes.
There are many options for hiking shoes, and boots, which can be overwhelming. This article will be a review of one of the best hiking shoes for women, the Merrell Women’s Moab 2 Ventilator Hiking Shoe. This is one of the top hiking shoes and provides great support while also being comfortable. Another great plus, the shoe is multi use and can be used for more than just hiking. And they look great too.
Product Information
- Manufacturer: Merrell
- Footwear: Ankle Height, Lace up Shoe
- Upper: Suede leather / mesh
- Support: Nylon arch shank
- Shoe Weight (pair): 1 lb 12 oz
- Cost: $65 – $110 (depending on size, color, etc.)
Features
- Performance suede leather and mesh upper
- Bellows, closed-cell foam tongue
- Rubber toe cap for protection
- Mesh lining; breathable
- Blended EVA contoured foot bed with added zonal arch and heel support
- Molded nylon arch shank, Merrell air cushion in the heel and EVA mid sole for stability and support
- Vibram® TC5+ sole
- 5mm lug depth
Performance
The Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator is a great shoe for day hiking. It is comfortable and lightweight, although not as light as other shoes. They are ankle shoes so they do not have the added support around the ankles but are a sturdy shoe. The shoe works well with different walking surfaces and has a good grip.
For hikers that need a little more width, the shoe does come in wide and if you like to wear thicker socks, it is suggested to consider going half a size up. There are several color variations for the shoe to fit your personal style. The shoe has very little break-in time, if any at all.
Pros
Cons
- Lots of breathing room in shoe
- Comfortable, sturdy and supportive
- Multi use – Hiking and other activities
- Several Color Options
- Great grip for different hiking surfaces
- Is offered in Wide and 1/2 sizes
- Shoe is heavier although still relatively light
- No ankle support
- Not Waterproof
Tips for Choosing Hiking Shoes/Boots
When purchasing new hiking boots and shoes, there are several characteristics to consider. First and foremost, your feet are going to be working hard for you on the trail and are going to take a beating. It is imperative that you protect your feet as well as choose a shoe that fits your feet. Improperly fitting shoes can cause more than just blisters, calluses or foot pain, it can also affect your stride which in turn can affect your hips and back. Test your shoes out before going on a long hike.
Below are some options to be aware of when choosing hiking shoes.
- Shoes or Boots: Shoes tend to go only to the ankle while boots will cover the ankle. Shoes are a great lightweight option however, boots will provide more ankle support
- Waterproof: It is important to consider if you will need waterproof shoes/boots. Waterproof may be important if your hikes take you on trails that go through puddles and creeks. It will also be important if you are hiking in rainy weather or in snow. On the other side of that, if you are hiking in warm/hot areas that are dry, waterproof shoes may be hot and create a very uncomfortable hiking experience for your feet.
- Quality: Make sure you are buying good shoes. You want shoes that are made with quality materials and from companies that know hiking. Every part of the shoe has a purpose so make sure the linking to the heel and sole of the shoe are made for hiking.
- Styles: There are many styles of hiking shoes and boots. Many are catered to particular terrains or hiking trips. Hiking shoes are good for day hikes or shorter overnight trips, however if you are going mountaineering or backpacking.
- Material: Taking into consideration style of the shoe/boot goes hand in hand with the type of material being used. Synthetics (nylon, polyester, etc) or leather, or a blend of the two will play a part in how comfortable your shoes are. Synthetics are lighter while leather is not but synthetics are not as durable as leather.
Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator – Women
Overall, the Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator is a great shoe. The shoe is comfortable and wears well. As a new hiker, it is also more economical, and is a great shoe to get you started on your hiking adventures. Many seasoned hikers have made this their shoe of choice and continue to purchase this shoe when it’s time to replace theirs. Remember, shoe also have a shelf life depending on use. A good hiking shoe should last between 500-1000 miles depending on the type of shoe and terrain. These shoes should definitely perform well.
I hope you are enjoying your journey to becoming a hiker. Take the time to really explore all the options for your gear and especially your shoes. Take good care of your feet because at the end of the day they are your number one hiking tool. Which leads me to one last thing, socks. Explore your sock options as well. The kind of socks you wear with your shoes are also going to play an integral part to your hiking experience.
I hope you enjoyed this review. If you have any questions or comments or currently have this shoe and would like to share your experience, please comment below. I would love to hear from you!
Happy Hiking,
Michelle Louise
e. michellelouise@hikingnewbies.com
Hiking Newbies is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases linking to Amazon.com and affiliated links. When you use the links on this page to make a purchase, I may get a small commission. You don’t pay anything extra by purchasing through these links. It’s a win-win all around. See our Full disclosure for more info. Thank you for your support!