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Whether you hit up some red rock on your mountain bike or hike through a sun-drenched canyon, the Merrell Men's Moab Ventilator Hiking Shoe keeps your feet cool, comfortable, and hungry for more. Merrell constructed these shoes with leather strapping supports to protect the breathable mesh uppers that supply your feet with fresh air on those oven-hot desert hikes. An Air Cushion midsole absorbs shock on jarring downhill jaunts, and a compression-molded EVA footbed provides the support you need on varied terrain. Merrell recommends wearing the Ventilator shoe with a light to midweight sock.
Bottom Line: Bike the Slickrock Trail or hike through Horseshoe Canyon in the Merrell Moab Ventilator.
I hiked in a pair of these for a couple years, and wore a pair of these for one my dayhikes of Whitney (a July trip) and they were perfect. My pack was close to 16 lbs., and they provided plenty of support. I agree with other reviewers, that the addition of the Superfeet insoles will definitely increase your support (and rock resistance on a granite trail like the MMWT), but will also reduce the soft feel (and trail feel) of the Merrell insoles, so your call on that.
And while they aren't waterproof, they do drain quickly and ventilation is outstanding; they make a great hot-weather hiker. No break-in period needed for these, and the sizing was consistent with every other shoe I wear.
I have gone over to wearing trail runners, but these are very functional and a good value at this price point.
Just ordered my 3rd pair of these shoes. I use them for everything. Mountain Biking in Moab. Approach shoes for rock climbing in Yosemite. Day Hiking. Trekking. They have survived 30+ days in the Himalayas as my only shoes besides flip flops. I hiked through snow, getting over 19,000 feet. With a pack, I didn't get a blister or have any problems. Walked through some rivers, they dried out by the next morning. Love 'em!
hey I was thinking of buying a pair online but got me wondering about size? always have worn a size 9 in nike and boots with a little toe room...should I order these in 9.5? thanks!
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I like these shoes! I wore them up and down San Gorgonio as a 1 day (16 miles) last Summer with almost zero break-in and had no issues. They are a good lightweight summer hiker. They breathe very well (non-Gore-tex) I would agree the sizing is true. I would not wear these on any further distance or with more than a daypack as they are lightweight with a lot of feel so your feet bottoms would get pounded. I still use the original Merrell insoles. These shoes also double for me as indoor workout trainers and they have massive grip on regular floor surfaces.
This are good boots, but I would not use them on any trails that were serious. I have never been able to afford the high end stuff and I thought Merrell was providing a great shoe at a great price for the rest of us but to my surprise this shoe was good and not much more. There about half way water proof, and the sole is not made for trekking through difficult terrain. Dont get me wrong, it is a good shoe, and very comfortable, but for me I will be sticking with Hi-Tec boots because I just cannot seem to find a better boot for the price. Hi-Tec's are 100% water proof every time.
Ed, the Merrell Moab Ventilator hiking shoe is not waterproof and is not presented as such. To expect a non-waterproof hiking shoe to keep out water does not seem reasonable. The Merrell Moab GTX XCR has goretex and would be the Merrell hiking shoe to use for comparison to the other shoes/boots you mention.
@ cdk, I just called, I just wanted to say thank you for that little tidbit. I didnt expect to get my call answered right away (as in not going though an automated attendant menu) I spoke to someone named "Molly" I told her that my laces on my Merrell shoes were a bit frayed and needed replacement. She said no problem and asked for my model of shoe which is the MOAB Ventilator and my address and said she'll send em' out right away. Great customer service. I would'nt have even minded paying $5.00-$8.00 for a pair of exact laces, but hey I'll take em' free too! Thanks again!
Have had a pair of these for several months, and noticed recently that an uneven level in the padding was developing in the heel of one of the shoes. I guess I could have covered it with a stiff-heeled insole, but I contacted Merrell, and they cheerfully accepted my shoes and agreed to send me a new pair. Thanks for the great customer service- I remain a loyal customer.
UPDATE: Merrell sent me a new pair of shoes in less than ten days, covering postage and everything. Great customer service, and the new shoes are perfect. Merrel has a great reputation because they stand behind what they sell- I am a satisfied customer.
I have the waterproof version of this shoe with the gore-tex lining. I used them this past summer in as a backpacking guide. They work great and seem to live up to their name of ventilator. The only problem I had with mine was that on really long days (30+) miles my feet felt like they were about to fall off. That is to be expected if hiking that far in a shoe, but all that is to say if you aren't going to be hiking over 25 miles/day then these shoes will be great for you. They also look good in town. I had a leak in the first pair I got, but since Gore-Tex is awesome, they sent me a new pair and no problems since.
These shoes are a great buy. They look great and they're water resistant. It took a bit for me to break them in, but once I did I was very satisfied. I Love these shoes. The only reason I grade it 4 stars rather than 5, is because they cracked along the inside at around 20 miles. The terrain was extremely harsh and rocky, so I wouldn't expect many shoes to do as well as these. The traction and tread are great, and once worn in they are very comfortable to wear. You definitely wanna break them in before a hike. Reasonably priced.
I love these shoes. I'm on my second pair and wear them almost everyday. They're very versatile for different conditions and can be used for that long hike as well for wearing all day while at work. One of the main features i like about the shoe is the sole. Its a vibram sole with good traction and lasts a very long time. Even my old pair that i wore nearly every day for two years still has lots of good grip left. Second, if it is a mildly breezy day or if youâre riding a bike, air will flow through the front of the shoe cooling off your feet and allowing for good ventilation. Good on a warm day but not so good on a cold one. Now, hereâs some info on fitting. I wear a 10.5 normally and went with that size on these. I've tried on the 11's but felt they were just a bit large. Note that i also have a semi wide foot. They felt a bit snug at first but they loosened up over time and now they fit great. If you can, try to try these on somewhere to make sure youâre getting the right size. I also own the goretex version of this shoe and did have to go a half size up on those. As far as cleaning is concerned, I've washed these 3 times in front load washer and it hasn't hurt them at all. If you get these wet, drying time will vary depending on amount of saturation and sun. I walked through a creek with them on one morning while backpacking getting them totally soaked, tied them to my pack to dry while i continued on in chacos, and they were dry by the following morning. This was with 60's during day and 40's at night. Overall a fantastic shoe of for almost any occasion. You won't be disappointed.
Comfortable shoes, no breaking in required. However, they were a half size smaller than normal. We returned them and got the half size larger which fits perfectly.
Have had these for a couple years and am pretty satisfied. They are great light hikers, and served me well traveling over 5 months in India and SE Asia. The Vibram sole sticks like glue, and I now look for vibram on any new shoe I'm considering. My feet run hot, so I still get sweaty in these, but overall they ventilate better than average. Recommended.
I was thinking of using these shoes on an overnight trip up and down Mt. Whitney in September. I will have a ~30 lbs. pack. Anyone have any thoughts on whether these shoes will be okay?
I thought I would follow up. I ended up wearing these for my Mt. Whitney overnight backpack trip. Weighed my pack in on the scale at the trail head at 39 lbs (the wife doesn't carry much). I had no issues wearing these all the way to the top. In fact, I found them very comfortable on that trip and on every dry weather excursion since. I love these shoes.
I wore a pair of these for one my dayhikes of Whitney (a July trip) and they were perfect. My pack was closer to 16 lbs., but I think you will be fine. I agree that the addition of the Superfeet insoles will definitely increase your support (and rock resistance on a granite trail like the MMWT), but will also reduce the soft feel (and trail feel) of the Merrell insoles, so your call on that. And while they aren't waterproof, they do drain quickly.
You'll be fine with 30lbs on. For added comfort, consider some green Superfeet insoles to go with them. Be sure to bring some moleskin, just in case. And don't commit to a ventilated mesh hiking shoe over a boot without checking the weather on Whitney first. Hope that helped.
I have had a pair for about 6 months and I love them comfort wise. They breath very well and keep moisture down. But my soles are starting to seperate from the shoe. I do run a commercial mowing crew 5 days a week and I can tear up an anvil, so it may just be me. Might try one more pair.
I have owned a pair of Merrel hiking shoes for 5 years. They have to be one of the most durable and comfortable shoes that I have ever owned. They with-stood the puppy years of a yellow lab. Years of backpacking, hiking, climbing, and just normal wear and tear. If you wanna buy a good product buy Merrel.
Just used these shoes for a 20 mile hike up in the Smokeys. They don't need broke in and they dry quick. I agree with the other posters about getting a half size bigger.
I love my Moabs. I have a heavy, all leather backpacking boot that I continue to try and make work for my feet. No longer. I'm sticking to the Moabs in all but the wettest, coldest weather from this point on.
I wear them to work with jeans, to the top of Mt. Whitney, fishing in the Eastern Sierra and around town. I love these shoes.
I have green and orange Superfeet inserts that I use in other shoes/boots, but do not use them with my Moabs. I find them perfectly comfortable the way they are.
Im a supervisor for Pathways 3H wilderness program in Mountain Home TX. Pathways is a non profit organization based on Boy Scouts of America, we use the outdoors as a therapuetic tool in helping CPS and probation children work through thier emotional issues. I have worked with this company for 2 and 1/2 years. In the first 6 months I realized the need for a comfortable yet very rugged set of footwear. In the first 6 months I tore through three pair of New Balance "trail" shoes. Coming to the conclusion spending upwards of 100 dollars or more on a great pair of hiking shoes would be a good investment! Although I did not purchase my shoes at Back Country I cannot pass up an oppurtunity to brag on my Merrell Moab Ventilators! The camp I work at uses primitive trails to walk from the camp they stay at to the on campus school and other various buildings and rec fields. The terrain here is somewhat rolling but covered in sharp rock, flint etc. I work sixteen hour days three days a week walking upwards 10 miles a day, previous to these shoes I was having back and knee pain and having a difficult time making it through one day much less three! The second six months of working there a friend bought me a pair of scetchers hiking shoes which lasted about 6 months, when these wore out I purchased the Moabs! WOW! Back and knee pain were gone! We take high adventure camping trips every 4 to 6 weeks to Big Bend, Guadalupe Mountains, Davis Mountains, and weekly hikes at parks in our local area, over the last year and a half I can safely say my Moabs have been at least 250 to 300 miles in all kinds of terrain and weather with ABSOLUTELY no problems, or discomfort what so ever! They dry fast, and have great lasting soles. The pair I have now have at least 25 to 30 percent of thier soles left and are asking for more punishment! The only small thing I would recommend would be replacing the insoles with a pair of gel insoles by Dr. Scholls they last alot longer! I cannot speak any more highly of these shoes and the Merrell company, needless to say I'm a Merrel customer for life!
Great shoe for the price. My feet stay cool and comfy all day long on 10+ mile hikes with some climbing involved. I've had the shoes for about two years now and the soles are still looking good with plenty of grip. Now I don't use them everyday but they are holding up great for how old they are. Styling not the best but hey its a hiking shoe and its not all about looks.
These are some of the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. I usually wear a size 12 shoe but the guy said i needed something smaller so when I put them on I expected it to be uncomfortable but the shoe really is comfortable. I still recommend using the propper size boots/shoes but these shoes are light weight and breathe rather well. The only thing I have heard people complain about was the sole coming separated after extreme use
At age 71, I don't think I'm still growing! My entire life I have worn a size 11 1/2. I am wearing as I sit here a size 12 black Merrell hiking shoe that is unbelievably comfortable (model no longer made). I wanted to add a brown shoe and selected the Moab Ventilator Hiking Shoe - Men's at a great price and appearance. I received them 4 days after they were ordered, fantastic. I tried them on and they looked great and fit well, EXCEPT my big toes were rubbing at the very front. In truth I needed a size 12 1/2, however they are not available in that size, so unfortunately I had to return them.
I'm planning a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, and I was wondering what the thoughts are for that application with these shoes? Any specific comments about expected mileage, water resistance, or blisters would be great.
In my opinion, light hikers are the best shoe for the AT. The trail is not too rocky for the most part so you wont have to worry too much about the lack of ankle support. Plus it does tend to rain quite a bit and no shoe is water proof. A heavy boot or something with a waterproofing like goretex just makes it take a lot longer for your shoes to dry out. You will also be glad for the lighter weight of this shoe as it should save you from injuries you might incur wearing a heavier boot. All in all, this would be a good, durable choice though you may also want to look at some trail running shoes, as they are light and will dry out even quicker, but are much less durable.
I have thru-hiked the AT 3 times any each time I wore a light hiker. The first year I went with Merrells and had a great experience. They were some of the most comfortable shoe that I had ever hiked in. I personally don't like to hike in gortex because my feet sweat and then don't dry out. A non gortex shoe breathes and allows my feet to stay drier as I hike, and on rainy days or after stepping in a creek they dry out much faster than their gortex counter parts. Another great thing about Merrells is there is no break in time, so when you wear out one pair and switch to a new pair and you are good to go. The most milage I got out of one pair was 1,000 miles, but I usually average closer to 700 miles for Merrells. The soles hold up great and have good traction. Mine usually wore out where the uppers met the soles. I don't carry a heavy pack, usually around 22 pounds so my feet stayed happy even on long days. If you are planning of heaver pack weights(35+) you might want to invest in super feet to help support and cushion your feet from the rocks and roots on the AT.
I thru-hiked in 2003 and started out in full blown hiking boots. By the time I reached Franklin, NC (105 miles in), my feet were in bad shape and covered in blisters. I picked up a pair of ventilators at the outfitter there and and it changed my entire hike. No breaking in required. The blisters went away and the ventilators provided plenty of support for all AT terrains. I doubt they will last the entire trail. By the time I reached Delaware Water Gap, they needed to be replaced. But I think it's safe to say you should be able to get at least 1100 miles out of a pair. I had a lot of rain my year which definitely contributed to the wear and tear (it rained everyday while in Virginia!). The only downside is that they are low tops, so you won't have ankle support, but that shouldn't bother you if you have strong/flexible ankles and are used to hiking in lows/chacos. Don't even bother trying to waterproof them. They will soak through during your first downpour, but they dry out quickly while hiking. I've done several long distance hikes since the AT and I've always worn ventilators. Great value, durability and comfort. Good luck on your hike. It will be the best time of your life. Ponyboy PS Always have one pair of dry socks. It's the best feeling to be able to put them on at the end of a long, wet day of hiking.
I bought my first pair of Ventilators in 1998, for use on a South American trip that involved both hiking the Inca Trail and cruising down the Amazon; in other words, I needed something sturdy enough to climb over ancient stones at 12,000 feet but lightweight and breathable enough not to suffocate me in 100-degree heat. The Ventilators fit the bill perfectly.
Only real mystery is why I haven't bought another pair in the intervening 12 years. Well, I just fixed that last month. Bought a new pair for a similar hiking/beach trip in Brazil, and again I've been extremely pleased. VERY comfortable, good support for my heels, which can often get sore in other shoes. Extremely breathable, no sweaty feet or athlete's foot issues, even in high temperatures. But still sturdy enough for a three-day hike across the mountains.
Incidentally, I work as a travel writer, so I tend to very picky about footwear. Bottom line: these are some of the best shoes I've ever worn.
Fit is comfortable, supportive, and they breath well. Good traction on most conditions. They do pick up small pebbles in the tread. Used them for a week in Joshua Tree N.P. and the Mojave Preserve and felt very comfortable with light day pack load. I don't think they would be protective enough for backpacking loads. The flex a bit too much and would not protect the bottom of your feet on rough, rocky, terrain with a heavy load.
These shoes are great for light day hikes where you don't need the ankle support of a full hiking boot. They are cool on warm days and have tons of grip on rock or wet surfaces.
Just bought my second pair of these. The first lasted me about 5 years of constant use (still use the old pair for more casual walking and work). Extremely comfortable and sturdy shoe. No break in required - wore this new pair for the first time on a 10 mile, hilly, rocky, sandy hike and they were great. Perfect for hiking in hot conditions like the desert southwest. If you don't need the waterproof Goretex, these shoes will keep your feet cool and comfy. When they do get wet, they dry quickly. Had to buy a half size smaller.
Great shoe for hiking or mountain biking if you are using platform pedals. They run about 1/2 size small though but they look great! Definitely would recommend to anyone looking for a good comfortable, lite weight hiking shoe
These are the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned. I'm going to continue to buy them even though they're not the most durable. I'm a contractor and I wear them on a daily basis so they get a ton of use. The suede parts have begun to get holes but comfort is everything so I'm buying another pair.
Just got back from Yosemite HALF DOME! Best camping and hiking trip ever! And this shoe is def. the best for this kind of hike. I'm a novice hiker and first time climbing the half dome. This shoe provided the ventalation, stability, light weightness, and TRACKTION that you'll need. Especially climbing up the almost 90degree slab of rock, this shoe was great in gripping the small crevases and wood blocks.
I tested the shoe out on a small run in Runyon Cannon in LA, and it was great for running down hill too! Great buy and a must buy!
Great for day hikes, approach shoes, and walking around town. They are durable and I take them through everything and they still look the way then did when I got them. They look great and I like the low key style that I can wear with pretty much anything.
i have rhematioid arithritis and this shoe was the perfedt fit for my feet..they are really nice and comfortable. i had to go with the mens shoe because they didnt have wide in the womens but they are great.
These shoes let the air pass through, one of the only shoes on the market the let the breeze blow over your toes. These are great three season shoes, or with good socks on a dry winter day no problem. I'm partial to the mids but the low tops are nice too.
I had forgotten how comfortable Merrell shking shoes are. They felt good right out of the box, plenty of room for toes. Have used them for a couple of weeks and they are a joy to wear. They breathe very well too. Would buy another pair without hesitation.
I really like the shoe and can see the quality. The only downside that I see is that the shoe seems to run a little on the small side. So you should probably look to go about 1/2 size larger than you normally would. Other than that it's a good shoe and I expect it to last a long time.
my dad bought a pair online but got a half size to small so he's waiting for his new pair and giving the old ones to me... haven't put any miles on them yet but walking around town they're the most comfortable shoe I've ever owned
I bought the MOABs 18 months ago to use at my old job. I used to work at a brewery and spent 12-16 hours a day on my feet and the brewhouse floor was always covered in water, beer, caustic solutions, you name it. I wore them every day for a year, and also used them as my "biking" shoes on my hybrid bike. I rode a 3-day 160 mile bike tour with these shoes including 2 days of torrential rains and gale force wind. Only in the past two months have these shoes started to tear, and I'm floored that they have already taken such a beating! I am definitely buying another pair of these and would recommend them to anyone looking for a comfortable, durable hiking shoe. Thanks Merrell!
I could leave a huge review for these shoes but I'd just be repeating the other reveiws. I will say that they are the most durable pair of shoes I've ever owned. Buy them now.
It don't matter, cause this shoe does it all. I've been wearing the same pair as an everyday shoe and an approach shoe on dozens of trips for 5 years now, and they're still going strong. They've been up Pikes Peak, down Owens River Gorge, and wandered around many a classroom building. Comfortable, not too heavy, not too sweaty, not too floppy, not too stiff, they're just a generally good shoe. And the vibram sole lasts forever, you can barely see the wear in mine at all.
I bought a pair of these to bring with me on a canyoneering trip in southern utah. I wore them for about an hour before the trip so they didn't have any break in time. The trip consisted of a 15 mile hiking/wading trip through Muddy Creek in the San Rafael Swell. Conditions ranged from rocky and dry trails to chest deep wading through muddy/sandy river bed. I picked these hikers because they are relatively light, have a sturdy tread patten, and they looked like they would do well in submerged conditions. During the wading sections in the canyon narrows, I had to stop every mile or two to empty out the sand and gravel from the insoles... but that was expected. They have good traction and support and I didn't have any blister or comfort problems during the hike. The laces come untied a lot, so you have to double your knots to keep them tied securely. After a rough 15 miles in varied terrain and conditions my ankles were sore from lack of support but otherwise I had no foot or leg problems.
Since that hike, I've used them mostly for walking around town and a few short day hikes. I think that they hold up very well for the price and I plan to wear them until they fall apart some day.
The Moab Ventilator is a seriously vented shoe. These keep my husband's feet cool on long, hot hikes. There's no break-in period so he wore them right out of the box onto the trail. They're stylish and comfortable too!
I got these after numerous attempts at finding a supportive shoe that was wide enough, but not super wide, all failed. I tried these on at a local store and loved them, bought them on the spot. I've been wearing them daily for a little over six months now, and have been very impressed with their durability and performance. I'm a big person, and my nearly 300 pounds puts a level of stress on footwear that very few others can match. If a shoe can last 6 months of daily use, the manufacturer did something very right.
I've only recently had to reinforce these with superfeet, which I do most of my shoes after 3-4 months, because they just can't take the beating. I was a little concerned also about wearing these in the winter, but it is now the end of january, and I've only had minor problems (snow over the tops, etc.) but I think they are pretty comfortable over a wide range of temperatures. I think I've just about beat this pair into submission, and I will most likely get another pair to replace them. I may even get two pairs and rotate them so they last longer. Great shoe, can't say enough good things about it.
I bought these for my husband right before a big hike, and even though he didn't have any time to break them in, he didn't get any blisters! He found them super comfortable and liked the bulky look. Way to go Merrell!!!
Love this shoe. I use it as my everyday footwear from going to the store to small adventures through the woods. Works great and fits great. Forms to my foot very well. I love Merrell shoes/boots and this one is no different. Great shoe for all day comfort and support.
worest show i ever whore. i had 10.5 before and i bought these off line even thought i knew better. they diddn't fit even thought the last merrell i had were 10.5. they had a peice of materail inside the shoe that kept rubbing my toes casusing them to rub raw. i am hopefully getting a pair in 11 that might fitt better and be made better
I hiked in a pair of these for a couple years, and wore a pair of these for one my dayhikes of Whitney (a July trip) and they were perfect. My pack was more...
Just ordered my 3rd pair of these shoes. I use them for everything. Mountain Biking in Moab. Approach shoes for rock climbing in Yosemite. Day Hiking. more...