If you’re gearing up for your next hike or trail run, the Merrell Moab Speed 2 should be on your radar. Merrell redesigned this shoe to give trail runners a stylish shoe that is a perfect blend of support and cushioning without any of the unnecessary bulk.
Coach Laura put the Merrell Moab Speed 2 to the ultimate test, spending 15 hours on the trails and logging 35 miles while adventuring at Mt. Whitney.
Our quick take is that this is an ideal shoe for hiker’s and especially when dealing with a variety of weather conditions.
Here’s what she found from all her testing!
Who Is It Good For?
Here is a quick rundown of some of the Merrell Moab Speed 2‘s key callouts to decide if this is the right shoe for you.
- Wide Feet: They do offer an extra wide option so it’ll be a good fit for anyone
- Technical Trails: Perfect option for cushion and support. Plus you can still feel some of the trail under you!
- Long Runs: Perfect for one day hikes and shorter trail run distances like the 50k
- Front of the Pack: Probably not the best choice if you are looking to hit some faster paces during a race since it’s still very much like a hiking boot style
Merrell Moab Speed 2 Specs
- Heel toe drop: 10mm
- Weight: 9.7 oz women’s, 12.34 oz men’s
- Stack Height: 34-24mm women’s, 34-24mm men’s
- Usage: hiking/trail running
- Available in wide
- Available in GTX
- Available in 9 colors
- Available at merrell.com for $140
Who Tried It
Coach Laura, as we refer to her from being part of the RTTF running coach team, has run more trail miles than most folks have run period! She recently completed a 48 hour run in fact, just because she wanted to test herself with something new! Many of her miles are done in the dessert, but she also spends a good chunk of time on trails throughout humid Hawaii.
Merrell Moab Speed 2 Review
Laura was immediately impressed with the look and fit of the Merrell Moab Speed 2.
When she first took them out of the box, she was worried they might be too narrow but was pleasantly surprised by the roomy toe box and overall fit. As a runner who tends to prefer things like the Altra Lone Peak, this says a lot!
Using a heel lock lacing technique, the shoe felt secure with no slipping in the heel or issues from the tongue moving around like you may experience with other hiking shoes. The padding around the heel felt just right, it was comfortable and free from any rubbing, leaving the trails at the end of the day blister free!
If you are not familiar with Mt. Whitney, it’s an out and back trail packed with rocky switchbacks, flowing waterfalls and even patches of snow! It was the perfect testing ground for the Merrell Moab Speed 2.
Coach Laura found the FloatPro Foam midsole and Vibram TC5+ outsole to be the ideal combination for tackling the rugged terrain.
The firm sole provided excellent stability on unstable, shifting rocks, and the Vibram traction lugs (also know as the tread of a shoe) delivered outstanding grip throughout the hike.
The shoes performed exceptionally well on wet rock surfaces, and the Gore-Tex kept her socks and feet dry during creek crossings. After 15 hours on the trail, the lugs showed little to no wear, maintaining their like-new condition.
The FloatPro Foam midsole protected her feet from the rocky conditions, keeping them comfortable and supported, even after a long challenging day on the trails.
The Good
The cushioning to firmness ratio is what makes this hiking/trail shoe a good pick. Hiking shoes tend to be super stiff and bulky but that is not the case for the Merrell Moab Speed 2.
There are also SO MANY options in colorways and features. This model of the shoe can come in GORE-TEX, special designs and even a Mid version if you are looking for a little more ankle support.
The Bad
Laura tested out the Merrell Moab Speed 2 Reflective GORE-TEX model.
Just looking at the shoe, the reflectivity looks like it would be strong but it was actually more subtle than expected once testing it in a dark environment. Even before they picked up trail dust, it was difficult to capture much reflectivity using flash or flashlights.
While others running behind her mentioned they could see some reflectivity, it wasn’t as noticeable as the reflective striping on her pants.
The Bottom Line
The shoes were great for rugged, rocky trails but probably not ideal for more buffed out trails. So you probably want to grab these if you’re seeking cushioning and a bit of extra energy for your next hike, these are a solid pick to keep you comfortable and confident on more challenging paths.
While some folks are going to love running in this, we think it’s better suited for long hikes and technical trail days.
Hopefully this Merrall Moab Speed 2 review gave you some quick insights.
If you have more questions or want a deeper dive on other trail shoes, let us know!
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