For years the Merrell Moab was a go-to boot and although it has been updated over time, it seems to have fallen out of favor.
Huckberry has teamed up with Merrell to offer a version of the MOAB in Aluminum, which looks kind tannish. The only issue the tactical user should have are the Blue laces, but that’s an easy fix.
Features:
-Super breathable GORE-TEX® waterproof membrane
-Uppers made from full-grain leather and breathable mesh
-Non-marking Vibram® TC5+ outsole delivers an all-around balance of grip, traction, durability, and flexibility
-Bellows tongue keeps out debris
-Toe cap for ultimate protection
-Breathable mesh lining, laces, and webbing all made entirely from recycled materials
-Kinetic Fit™ ADVANCED removable contoured footbed with reinforced heel cushioning
-Molded nylon arch shank
-Merrell Air Cushion in the heel absorbs shock and adds stability
-Super Rebound Compound provides durable shock absorption in the heel to help reduce torque and allow for a smooth transition into the midfoot
huckberry.com/store/merrell/category/p/71991-moab-smooth-gtx-exclusive
Funny I don’t wear mine anymore either due to laziness. Low rise danners are so much easier to put on and take off.
They kept making changes to the MOAB that no one was asking for, and eventually people went and found other footwear. There’s a lesson in there somewhere, I’m sure.
That’s pretty much the Merrell business model. See the Trail Glove line.
Have two pair of the iteration 3-4 years ago that collect dust other than mowing the yard, just tired of the hotspots from the softer sole. Yokotas have been much better, but a little more ” approach” than hiker. I think it was Mike Glover that was talking about a lot of guys switching due to mud retention and tile floors .
My issues were less the quality or changes; it’s always “find the shoe/last that fits your feet.” For me, Keen just fits better. I’ve had various Moab variants either issued or purchased, but over time I tend to wear the Keens I’ve bought more. Except Keen has an issue with soles delaminating, so I keep a tube of Shoe Goo handy.
I stopped buying merrells because they seemed to fall apart faster than any ofy other outdoor shoes (especially the moab line). Too bad too. I loved the moab ventilators for a few weeks until they were trashed.
When they changed the toe box for a more narrow shape, they loosed me as a customer, as that was one of the main features of the Merrel Moab for me.
Now, Merrel Moab is a tight fit shoe at toe box that is very unconfortable over longer periods of time and the general quality slowly went down too.