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Merrell was formed in 1981 by two former executives from the Rossignol ski company and a custom bootmaker by the name of Randal Ivan Merrell. It experienced rapid growth until 1997 when it was acquired by Wolverine World Wide, which helped it grow into an even bigger name in outdoor clothing and accessories. Merrell’s first boot, the Moab, was first put on sale in 1982, and today, this style remains a top seller. The Moab line includes multiple variants of their ventilated and waterproof shoes and boots as well as ankle and crew socks.

If you’re not interested in a waterproof boot and want to save a few bucks while you’re at it, look no further than the Merrell Moab 2 Mid Ventilator. These are, essentially, the non-waterproof variant of the Merrell Moab 2 Mid (we have also reviewed the waterproof variant).

Comfort & Weight

The Moab 2 Mid Ventilator features an EVA midsole and a molded nylon arch shank that claims to and exceeds at being comfortable the first time you lace them up. Speaking of, Merrell utilizes a relatively simple lacing system for the Moab 2 line, with five fabric eyelets running up from the bottom of the boot followed by a set of metal hook eyelets at the top. Unfortunately, these eyelets could be a bit more durable and may wear out from repeated re-lacing or snagging on briars.

At a weight of 2.41 lbs (1.09 kg) for a pair of men’s size 11s, the Moab 2 Mid Ventilators are far from heavy but are unlikely to win any awards on lightweight design. It’s definitely an appealing comfort-to-weight ratio as far as midweight hiker/backpacking boots are concerned.

Traction & Stability

For the outsole of the Moab 2 line, Merrell selected Vibram TC5+ with 5mm lugs. Unfortunately, the T5+ simply doesn’t boast the same grip that you’ll find with Contagrip or even the Vibram Evo, so while it proved sufficient in mud and dirt thanks to its unique tread pattern, the grippiness could have been better when traversing rocks.

While the suede and mesh uppers are quite comfortable, the ankle height is a tad low, which does not favor overall stability. However, a 4.7-inch wide forefoot helps compensate for this and reduces the chance of an ankle roll.

Water Resistance & Durability

As you may have already guessed, these boots do not score well in terms of water resistance, and they are the only non-waterproof boots on our list. Realistically, these boots are designed to be used in warm, dry climates where there is little chance of precipitation and no anticipated creek crossings. If you do plan to walk through some wet stuff, anticipate soaked socks. Rather than worrying about waterproofing, Merrell instead put extra focus on this boot’s breathability. The mesh linings perform well at wicking away moisture, and they pair well with lightweight socks in warmer temperatures.

The durability of the Moab 2 Mid Ventilators has some pros as well as some cons. We appreciated the high toe cap and found that the exterior and outsole held up well on the trail, and the 5mm lugs ensure that it should take some time to wear out the tread. However, the mesh lining can potentially wear out or even tear after repeated use. The fabric eyelets could also be better reinforced like the leather or metal eyelets on competing boots.

Styles & Sizes

There are three color options for the Moab 2 Mid Ventilator—Walnut, Black Night, and Castle/Wing—with sizes ranging from 7-16 US. Both regular- and wide-fit options are available, and like with the waterproof Moab 2 Mids, the warranty on these boots is listed as condition dependent.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to bang for your buck, you simply can’t do much better than the Merrell Moab 2 Mid Ventilators. At only $110, these are the least expensive hiking boots in our review; coming in at a close second is the $135 waterproof version of these boots. If waterproofing is not a priority—maybe you don’t anticipate any wetness on your hike, or you simply prefer your feet dry out naturally—the Moab 2 Mid Ventilators will make an excellent addition to your hiking arsenal.

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