www.merrell.co.uk | £120
For 35 years now Merrell has been recognised as a reliable gear manufacturer and looking at the company’s latest offerings, it shows no signs of letting up.
We’ve been getting to grips with one of the firm’s latest pairs of hiking shoes, the Merrell Moab FST GTX. First going on sale at Cotswold Outdoor in the UK, the Moab FST shoes were designed to be a sturdy hiking shoe with the capability to deal with a range of activities on the hills while providing all day comfort.
The first thing you notice when taking the product out of the box is the styling. As far as hiking shoes go, the Moab FST has to be up there with some of the best looking examples on the market. The dark navy provides an understated base while the orange detailing from the laces and outsole add just the right amount of colour.
Stylistically, they look closer to running shoes than to hiking boots and we’d be more than happy to wear them casually as well as on the hills.
Upon pulling the shoes on, it’s instantly noticeable just how well padded they are. The padding ensures that your feet are held in place well and they do provide a very secure feeling, while also delivering decent levels of comfort.
Having said that, the amount of padding is unlikely to suit everyone and those with wider feet could find the shoes to be restrictive.
A Gore-Tex lining and bellows tongue help to keep the elements out while the outsole curls up at the front and back to offer substantial protection. The latter is particularly necessary as the upper doesn’t seem particularly hardwearing and the toe box and heel cup are quite soft and malleable.
This isn’t particularly a bad thing though, as it helps with the flexibility of the shoes, something which the product excels with, though it does mean they lack stiffness. It’s also worth noting at this point that they are particularly lightweight (864g for a pair of size 11s), making them a joy to wear.
The Vibram MeGagrip outsole provides a good amount of grip with a lug depth of 5mm and, along with the midsole, provides plenty of protection between your feet and any rugged and uneven ground underneath.
They might not be the cheapest pair of hiking shoes, but they are a great option for anyone looking for lightweight shoes with the capabilities of tackling light/moderate tracks.
Merrell Moab FST GTX Shoes Verdict
The Merrell Moab FST GTX shoes are stylish, comfortable and lightweight, making them ideal for low level adventures at home and abroad.