Merrell is a popular brand for both hiking boots and hiking shoes. The brand has legions of fans online who are quick to post "I love my Merrells" every time someone asks for hiking footwear recommendations. But Merrell hiking boots and shoes are much more popular on Facebook than they are in the outdoor industry. My Merrell brand review weighs the pros and cons of this popular brand based on my outdoor industry experience and my personal experience testing Merrells the past few years. How do Merrell hiking boots and shoes stack up against other brands? Why do many people in the outdoor industry not recommend Merrell to their friends, family members, and customers? Why do many hikers love them anyway? What are Merrell's best hiking boots and shoes? You'll find the answers below in my Merrell brand review.
Wearing the Merrell Rogue Hiker GTX on the Tour du Mont Blanc
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Merrell Brand Review
Merrell has been around for forty years. The company initially sold custom-made hiking boots for the outdoor specialty market. When the original owners sold the brand in 1986, however, Merrell moved its manufacturing to Asia and shifted its focus from the premium market to the mass market. Since 1997, it's been a subsidiary of Wolverine Worldwide— a Michigan-based company that also owns Wolverine work boots, Chacos, Keds, and Hush Puppies.
Merrell is best known for footwear that blurs the boundary between "hiking shoes" and casual "outdoor lifestyle" shoes. The brand's best seller is the Merrell Jungle Moc, a casual slip-on shoe that's not made for hiking. The Merrell Moab is known as "the world's best-selling hiker." However, many people wear it as a work shoe or everyday shoe— not as a hiking shoe—and its quality is average at best.
Best-selling Merrell Moab hiking shoes
Merrell may be a top recommendation in Facebook hiking groups, but it's a brand that many outdoor industry professionals love to hate. Why? The main reason is that Merrell hiking boots and shoes aren't significantly different from your average sneaker. The brand is best known for its "snikers"—sneaker-hiker hybrids that lag behind the best brands in support, durability, and quality. Historically, Merrell's also had quality issues with delaminating soles and mediocre waterproofing. That's why most outdoor industry professionals do not hike in Merrell—and often steer friends and family members toward other brands.
Merrell is a good brand for casual outdoor shoes and budget-oriented hikers. However, it's not one of the best brands for serious hikers and backpackers. Still, there's no shortage of Merrell lovers.
Why buy Merrell hiking boots or shoes?
In spite of what many outdoor industry pros think of Merrell, many of my customers wouldn't think of buying another brand. Here's why many people like Merrell hiking boots and shoes:
Budget-friendly
Merrell's popularity probably has more to do with price and availability than performance. It's a good brand for hikers on a budget. You can also find them at most box stores, sporting goods chains, and even some discount stores. As the price of good hiking footwear soars, Merrell remains relatively affordable.
Wide fit and "out of the box comfort"
Many people— particularly beginners and casual hikers— prefer Merrell's "out of the box comfort" to more supportive hiking footwear. Merrell also has a wider fit than most brands, which often appeals to hikers with wide feet, heavy-set hikers, and those who want extra wiggle room for their toes.
Trail-to-town versatility
Merrells make good outdoor lifestyle styles, or "trail to town" shoes that you can hike in, work in, and wear around town. My local REI footwear guy would never hike in Merrell, for example, but he's happy to wear them while he's working on his feet all day.
Best Merrell Hiking Boots
Merrell's best hiking boot is the Rogue Hiker, but by far its most popular hiking boot is the Moab 3 Mid.
Merrell Rogue Hiker GTX
Main Benefits:
The Rogue Hiker GTX isn't Merrell's most popular hiking boot, but it's the brand's best hiking boot. Arguably Merrell's first performance hiking boot in 40 years, the Rogue Hiker is more athletic and supportive than other Merrells. It's made for fast hikers with light packs. There's moderate flex underfoot to keep things comfortable when you're moving fast or hiking easier terrain. At the same time, there's enough support for backpackers—even though the Rogue feels more like a basketball hightop than traditional backpacking boot. I've personally completed two tough Pennsylvania backpacking routes in the Rogue and surprisingly chose it for my 100+ mile Tour du Mont Blanc hike through the Alps. Having worn and tested this boot for 2+ years, I recommend the Rogue for more difficult dayhikes and lightweight backpacking.
For more, see my full Rogue Hiker review.
Merrell Moab 3 Mid
Best Budget Hiking Boot
Main Benefits:
Meet the best-selling hiking boot in the world! The Merrell Moab's "out of the box comfort" scores points with beginners and casual hikers who don't like the feel of sturdier hiking boots with better foot and ankle support. Moabs also feature quality Vibram outsoles—a plus at this price point—and one of the widest fits on the market. Last updated in 2022, Merrell Moab 3 seems a little sturdier than previous editions, which is a plus. Still, there's not much ankle support here, and the multi-terrain tread isn't the best for tougher trails. It's not the best choice for hardcore hikers. But the Merrell Moab Mid makes sense hikers who care more about price than support or weight savings. I personally sold a ton of Moab hiking boots when I ran footwear at Appalachian Outdoors. It's not a bad option for budget-oriented hikers, casual hikers, beginners, and day hikers who don't need significant support traction for the trails they hike.
Best Merrell hiking shoes
Merrell Moab 3 Low
Best Hiking Shoe
Main Benefits:
This is Merrell's best-selling hiking shoe. The low-cut Moab provides less ankle protection than the mid-cut boot above; however, I prefer the low-cut because it's lighter, less expensive, and works well as a "trail to town" shoe that you can wear on the trail and around town. [Pro Tip: The non-waterproof Moab Low makes a decent trail shoe for desert day hikes.] And the low cut offers a little more support, traction, and durability than a sneaker or gym shoe. Overall, the Moab III Low is not a strong choice for hardcore hikers and backpackers; however, it may be a good budget buy for the casual day hiker or hikers looking for an everyday outdoor shoe.
For more, see my first-hand review of the Moab 3 hiking shoe.
Merrell Moab Speed 2
Best Hiking Sneaker
Main Benefits:
If you're not into traditional, clunky-looking hiking shoes, the Merrell Moab Speed 2 may appeal to you. This is a lightweight sniker for hikers who prefer the look and feel of a sneaker. Much lighter and more athletic than the Moab, the Speed makes sense for casual hikers, urban hikers, and fast hikers with light packs. I'm testing this shoe in 2025 and can see its appeal for men and women who want something lighter than a traditional hiking shoe and potentially more durable and supportive than a trail running shoe.
Pros vs Cons: Merrell hiking boots and shoes
Merrell has a rabid fan base—and many detractors who think Merrell hiking boots and shoes are little more than glorified sneakers. My Merrell brand review is based on my specialized Merrell training and my personal experience hiking in the Merrell hiking boots and shoes mentioned above. Here's a balanced overview of the brand's pros and cons:
Many hikers assume that Merrell is one of the best brands for hiking boots and shoes since so many people recommend them via social media. However, Merrell hikers are mostly made for the mass market, not the outdoor specialty market. Merrell may be a top shelf brand at sporting good chain stores, but it may be a bottom shelf brand at REI or your local hiking and backpacking specialty shop. If hiking boots were beers, Merrell would be yellow beer brand like Budweiser— not a craft brewery.
That being said, a lot of people drink Budweiser—and a lot of hikers love their Merrells. The Merrell Moab is the best-selling hiking boot in the world, after all, and many Merrell lovers wouldn't consider buying any other brand.
If you're looking for a hiking boot or hiking shoe that doesn't break the bank, this is probably your brand! That's especially true now the KEEN has raised its prices above the budget price point. Merrell is now the better value.
Overall, these are the "best fits" and "best matches" for Merrell hiking boots and hiking shoes:
Best Fit
wide feet
Best Match
budget-oriented hikers, beginners, trail to town wear
Should you buy Merrell hiking boots and shoes?
If you're more concerned about cost than support or weight, Merrell should be one of the first brands you should consider for hiking boots and shoes. If you have wide feet, Merrell's regular size is as wide or wider than many brands' wide sizes—and they also offer most of their best-sellers in wide sizes.
Do you think Merrell hiking boots or hiking shoes might be right for you? If so, please consider buying your next pair through the affiliate links above. Hiking Feet may receive a small commission from the retailer at no cost to you. That supports this website (and gives me a little back for the hundreds of hours I've spent writing free, independent, and ad-free content).
If you're not sold on Merrell, please check out my brand recommendations and feel free to browse my recommendations for the best hiking boots and best hiking shoes. Many of my customers, for example, have switched from Merrell to Oboz footwear for better durability and support or to Salomon for more support and less weight. There's a good chance that you'll find the best fit for your feet and the best match for your hikes somewhere at Hiking Feet!
