Gear Review - Merrell Moab Ventilator Trail Shoe

Merrell has built a reputation for itself as a make of fine trail shoes, and the Men’s Moab Ventilator keeps this tradition alive.

The Moab is really more of a hiking shoe than a trail runner. You get the grippy vibram sole which is almost standard on Merrells these days as well as a nice upper that mixes cloth and swede leather. There is a rubber toe to keep trail brush and the entire package is presented well in a styling similar to the famous Chameleon.

The name “ventilator” is accurate as well. Although the shoe has quite thick padding on the inner compartment, the mesh allows the foot to breathe nicely.

In our trail test these shoes held up well to the rocky mountains of Utah. The heat crept up into the low 90s the day we tested and the shoes kept up with the heat well. The Moab Ventilator was also used on a 2-day backpacking trip in Wyoming and handled the steep elevation gain nicely.

These are defintely reccomended for moderate trail use and look pretty decent for casual use as well. Good for a wear any day that you think you might do some walking.

Specs:

• Slip Lasted Construction
• Breathable Mesh Lining
• Breathable Ventilator Bellows Tongue
• Rubber Toe Bumper/Heel Counter
• 7.5mm Narrow Gauge Webbing
• 4.5mm Anatomical Footbed
• Nylon 6.6 Injection Molded Arch Shank
• Compression Molded EVA Footframe
• Air Cushion® Midsole
• 5mm Sole Lug Depth
• Merrell Multi-Sport™ Sole/TC5+ Rubber.

Retail for $75 (not shabby for serious hikers)

2 comments August 28th, 2008