You know the Moab. Everyone knows the Moab. It’s that chunky, reliable, slightly dorky "Mother of All Boots" that has dominated trailhead parking lots for twenty years. But the Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX is a different beast entirely. Honestly, if the original Moab is a reliable old station wagon, the Speed 2 is a modern crossover—faster, sleeker, and a lot more fun to drive on technical terrain.
I’ve spent a lot of time watching the evolution of "fast and light" gear. For a long time, you had two choices: heavy leather boots that could survive a nuclear winter but felt like bricks, or trail runners that left your ankles screaming after five miles of scree. The Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX tries to sit right in that sweet spot. It's a "hybrid" in the truest sense.
It's fast.
But it’s also remarkably protective. This isn't just a marketing gimmick or a fresh coat of paint on an old silhouette. Merrell basically took the DNA of their most successful boot and spliced it with their high-performance trail running tech. The result is something that feels nimble enough for a quick three-mile sunset hike but sturdy enough to handle a loaded pack on a weekend loop in the High Sierras.
What Actually Changed? The Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX vs. The Original
If you look at the specs, the first thing that jumps out is the weight. Or rather, the lack of it. A lot of people assume "Mid" means heavy. Not here.
The Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX is built on a foundation of FloatPro Foam. This stuff is light. Really light. But unlike some budget foams that pack out after fifty miles, this has a bit of "pop" to it. You get that energy return that feels more like a running shoe than a traditional hiker.
Then there’s the Gore-Tex.
We’ve all had those "waterproof" boots that feel like wearing plastic bags on our feet. The GTX membrane in the Moab Speed 2 is surprisingly breathable, though let's be real—if it’s 95 degrees in the desert, your feet are going to sweat regardless of what the tag says. But for those muddy spring treks or crossing shallow streams, it’s a lifesaver. It keeps the internal climate consistent, which is basically the holy grail of footwear design.
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The Vibram Situation
Let’s talk about the bottom of the shoe. Merrell used the Vibram TC5+ outsole here. It’s got these 4mm lugs that look aggressive but don’t feel clunky on flat pavement.
A lot of hikers complain about traction on wet rock. It’s the ultimate test. While no rubber is truly "sticky" on mossy granite, the lug pattern on the Speed 2 has been redesigned to shed mud more effectively. I’ve seen people get bogged down because their treads filled up with clay, essentially turning their expensive boots into slick racing tires. These avoid that. They "self-clean" as you walk, which sounds like tech-bro speak, but it actually works.
Why the "Mid" Height Matters More Than You Think
A lot of "fast hikers" go for the low-cut version. I get it. It’s lighter.
But the Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX offers that extra bit of collar height that saves you from the "ankle roll of death" when you’re tired at the end of a long day. It’s not a stiff, rigid collar like an Alpine boot. It’s flexible. It’s more about proprioception—that "mind-body" connection that tells your brain where your foot is in space—than it is about mechanical bracing.
It also keeps out the junk.
Ever had a tiny pebble get inside your shoe two miles into a ten-mile hike? It’s infuriating. The mid-height, combined with the bellows tongue, keeps the grit, sand, and pine needles out. You don’t have to stop every twenty minutes to shake out your socks. That alone is worth the extra few ounces of weight.
Comfort Out of the Box: The Merrell Secret Sauce
Most hiking boots require a "break-in period." You’re supposed to wear them around the house, then on short walks, then slowly build up to a real hike.
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The Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX basically skips that.
It’s got a remarkably wide toe box. Not "clown shoe" wide, but enough that your toes can splay naturally when you’re descending a steep grade. If your toes are cramped, you get blisters. If your toes have room to breathe, you stay happy. It’s a simple formula that a lot of European brands seem to ignore in favor of a narrow, "athletic" fit. Merrell knows their audience. They know we have feet that swell after four hours on the trail.
The Durability Question: Is it Too Light?
Here is where we have to be honest.
When you shave weight, you usually shave durability. You aren't getting the 10-year lifespan of a full-grain leather boot with the Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX. The upper is a mix of synthetic mesh and TPU reinforcements. It’s tough, sure. It’ll handle rock scrapes and briars. But it’s not indestructible.
If you are a "weekend warrior" doing 100-200 miles a year, these will last you a long time. If you’re a thru-hiker doing 25 miles a day on the PCT, you might go through two pairs in a season. That’s the trade-off. You’re trading longevity for comfort and speed. For 90% of hikers, that is a trade worth making.
A Note on Sustainability
It’s 2026, and we can’t talk about gear without talking about the planet. Merrell has been moving toward more recycled materials. The laces, webbing, and mesh lining on these are 100% recycled. Even the footbed cover is recycled. It’s not going to save the world on its own, but it’s a hell of a lot better than the "pure plastic" approach of a decade ago. It shows that the brand is listening to the community.
Technical Specs for the Geeks
- Drop: 10mm. This is fairly standard for Merrell and provides a familiar feel if you're coming from traditional sneakers.
- Stack Height: 34mm in the heel, 24mm in the forefoot. That’s a lot of cushion. It’s approaching "maximalist" territory, which is great for protecting your joints on hard-packed trails.
- Cleansport NXT: This is the natural odor control treatment. Does it work? Sorta. It keeps the "death smell" at bay for longer than untreated shoes, but eventually, every hiking boot will smell like a hiking boot.
- Rock Plate: There is a lightweight rock plate in the midsole. This is crucial. It stops sharp stones from poking through the foam and bruising the bottom of your foot.
The Competition: How Does It Stack Up?
You’re probably looking at these alongside the Salomon X Ultra 4 or maybe the Hoka Anacapa.
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The Salomon is "racy." It feels narrower and a bit more aggressive. Some people find the Salomon's "Quicklace" system amazing; others hate it because if it breaks in the backcountry, you're in trouble. The Merrell uses traditional laces. They’re reliable. They’re easy to replace.
The Hoka Anacapa is even more cushioned, but it can feel a bit "unstable" because of the sheer height of the foam. The Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX feels more grounded. It’s more "connected" to the trail.
Practical Tips for Your First Hike
If you decide to pick these up, don't just lace them up and go.
First, check your socks. Don't wear cotton. Seriously. Cotton holds moisture, and moisture leads to friction, and friction leads to the kind of blisters that end trips. Use a high-quality wool blend like Darn Tough or Smartwool. The Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX works best with a medium-weight sock that can take advantage of the Gore-Tex's moisture-wicking properties.
Second, learn the "Heel Lock" lacing technique. These boots have an extra eyelet at the top for a reason. Using it prevents your foot from sliding forward on descents, which saves your toenails from turning black and falling off.
Final Thoughts on the Trail
The Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX isn't just a sequel; it's a pivot. It acknowledges that the way we hike has changed. We want to go further. We want to go faster. We don't want to feel like we're wearing lead weights on our ankles.
It’s a boot for the person who loves the woods but hates the "clunky" gear of the past. It's for the person who might run a little bit of the flat sections but needs the stability for the climbs.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check Your Current Tread: Look at your old boots. If the lugs are worn down to less than 2mm, or if the foam feels "dead" and stiff, your knees are taking the impact that the shoe should be absorbing. It's time to retire them.
- Size Up: When buying the Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX, consider going up a half-size from your casual "street shoe" size. Your feet will swell under load, and that extra room is the difference between comfort and agony.
- Test the Waterproofing: Before your first big trip, wear them on a rainy walk around the neighborhood. Ensure the factory DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating is shedding water properly. If water is soaking into the fabric surface (even if it's not reaching your foot), apply a spray-on proofer like Nikwax to keep the boot lightweight and breathable.
- Clean After Use: Don't leave them caked in mud. Dried mud acts like sandpaper on synthetic fibers, breaking them down prematurely. A simple rinse and a soft brush will double the life of the uppers.