If you're looking for an alternative to the Merrell Moab, maybe you should try the Merrell Nova. Merrell technically calls the Nova a trail running shoe. To my eyes, though, it's more of a cross between a trail running shoe and a hiking shoe— or even a "sniker," a sneaker-hiker hybrid. Whatever you call it, the Merrell Nova is hike-able and quite a bit lighter than the best-selling Merrell Moab. This post reviews the Merrell Nova from a hiker's perspective to help you figure out if it might fit your feet, your budget, and your hiking style.
Meet the Merrell Nova
Merrell calls the Nova its best selling trail running shoe for men. (The Antora is the women-specific version.) However, the Merrell Nova doesn't look or feel very fast. That's why many people consider it a light hiking shoe or trail to town shoe, not a trail running shoe.
Like most Merrells, it's an affordable shoe with "out of the box comfort" for everyday wear. Unlike most Merrells, it's available in some fun colorways (and bland ones) for a little more flavor on the trail.
Early in 2023, hikers can choose between the outgoing Merrell Nova 2 and incoming Nova 3:
Merrell Nova 2
Merrell Nova 3
Merrell Nova 2 vs Nova 3: The Merrell Nova 2 and Nova 3 are more similar than different. Compared to the Nova 2, the Nova 3 has extended the TPU overlays for better durabilty (and less ventilating mesh), added some recycled materials, updated the cushioning with FloatPro Foam pods under the heel and forefoot, and re-designed the Vibram outsoles. Merrell lists the Nova 3 as an insignificant half-ounce lighter than the Nova 2 with half a millimeter less cushioning.
Overall, the Merrell Nova 3 isn't significantly different from the Nova 2—the shoe I'm reviewing here. My Merrell Nova review considers Merrell's best-selling trail running shoe as a hiking shoe, not as a running shoe.
Merrell Nova Review
Over the past four months, I've worn the Merrell Nova off and on as a hiking shoe, trail running shoe, and everyday shoe. This includes local test hikes in Central Pennsylvania on some easier stream-side trails, moderately steep trails with loose rock and gravel, and a few difficult day hikes with sections of rock scrambling. My review focuses on the non-waterproof Nova 2, which I selected as a complimentary pair for completing Merrell brand training for my day job at Backcountry. (Merrell has not sponsored or influenced this review. As always, Hiking Feet only publishes original, independent content )
Here's my review of the Merrell Nova's support, weight, comfort, fit, traction, weather protection, and value—with a focus on hikers (not runners).
Support
LIGHT-DUTY HIKING SHOE
The Merrell Nova is sturdy for a trail running shoe, which translates into a light hiking shoe. It features a rock plate, which protects the bottom of feet from sharp rocks and adds some torsional rigidity for better ankle stability. There's a little toe protection, too, and thicker synthetic uppers than the typical trail runner. That means they're a little more protective in rocks and rough vegetation (and slower to dry than most mesh trail running shoes). Support-wise, these are not the trail shoes for tough terrain or hikers with foot or ankle issues. However, there's enough support here for casual hikers, fast hikers on well maintained trails, and secure-footed hikers on moderately difficult terrain.
Weight
LIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE HIKING SHOE
The Merrell Nova 2 weighs one and half pounds per pair (smallest size) according to the manufacturer. My pair (12 wide) weighs about 1lb 12oz. That's significantly lighter than the average hiking shoe—such as the Merrell Moab low—and sluggish by trail runner standards. Again, it's more of a trail runner-hiker hybrid (or sneaker-hiker hybrid) than a true trail running shoe. If you hike fast with a light pack and value weight savings over support, the Merrell Nova 2 may be a good hiking shoe for you.
Comfort
ACCESSIBLE
Like most Merrells, the Nova is an accessible shoe that feels similar to a causal sneaker. Many beginners and casual hikers prefer Merrell's "out of the box comfort" to more performance-oriented brands, such as Salomon. If you have a wider foot and don't like sturdier, more supportive hiking shoes, you'll probably like the more casual fit and feel of the Merrell Nova. It's definitely comfortable enough for everyday wear.
I've found it comfortable for shorter hikes. However, if I hike long enough or far enough, my feet feel more fatigued or sore than they do in hiking shoes with sturdier soles and more cushioning. Since I mostly hike harder trails, I now wear the Merrell Nova as a casual outdoor lifestyle shoe. It's comfortable for that everyday wear.
Fit
BETTER FOR WIDE FEET
Comfort also has a lot to do with fit, and the Merrell Nova is a better fit for standard to wide feet. Whereas European brands run narrow, especially in the toes, Merrell offers roomier fits. That accommodates heavier hikers (like me) and hikers with wider feet. The Merrell Nova runs true-to-size (by US standards) with a wider fit than most brands.
It's also available in wide sizes. My size 12 wide fits like I expected. It's not as wide—and not as bulky—as the Merrell Moab wide. For my hiking feet, the Merrell Nova wide fits better than the Merrell Moab wide with an accessible and more athletic feel than the Moab (which feels more clumsy to me).
Weather Protection
WATERPROOF/GTX AVAILABLE
I chose the non-waterproof Merrell Nova since most fast-and-light hikers choose non-waterproof shoes since they're cooler on the feet and dry faster than waterproof styles. There's little weather protection in the low-cut, non-waterproof Nova. However, if you're looking for weather protection, it's available in a waterproof version and premium GORE-TEX version, too. (Just keep in mind that you'll only get 2-3 inches of weather resistance in a low-cut shoe.) It's best to wear the Nova in nice weather and on trails that are not too wet, slushy, or sloppy.
Traction
MODERATE
One of Merrell's positives is that they upgrade to Vibram outsoles. These particular Vibram outsoles show a multi-surface tread pattern that should be decent on most surfaces without excelling on any of them. For example, the rubber is soft enough that the Nova is fine on rocks. However, I slipped on some more technical scrambling. Similarly, there's some bite for traction on soft and loose surfaces—great for grass, dirt, and walks in the woods. However, their braking is just okay on steep and gravelly descents, and I also slipped around a bit on some sloppy, spring singletrack. Overall, though, the traction was good enough for most of the trails I hike.
Value
BUDGET-FRIENDLY
With a MSRP of $125 (non-waterproof), the Merrell Nova costs less than the average hiking shoe and $10 more than the best-selling Merrell Moab. (Waterproof and GORE-TEX models also cost more.) With the best hiking shoes now starting at $150, that makes the Nova a good option for budget-oriented hikers. For spring 2023, expect closeout sale prices on the Nova 2 as the Nova 3 drops.
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Merrell Nova: Pros vs. Cons
As is true with all trail shoes, the Merrell Nova may be a good choice for some hikers and a poor choice for others. Here is quick run-down the shoe's pros and cons:
Overall recommendation:
Is the Merrell Nova 2 good for hiking? The Merrell Nova is good enough for the average hiker and comfortable enough for everyday, trail to town wear. For Merrell fans who want a lightweight alternative to the iconic Moab, the Nova is a whopping 9 ounces lighter. At the same time, the Nova doesn't hike as fast and light as the best trail running shoes for hikers or offer as much support as the best hiking shoes. It's more of a light-duty hiking shoe for budget-oriented hikers.
Now that I've reviewed the Nova, I'll be wearing mine as casual outdoor lifestyle shoes.
Are you feeling the Merrell Nova after reading this review? If so, please consider purchasing your pair through the affiliate links above. That doesn't cost you anything, but the (billion-dollar) retailer may send a few dollars my way for sending you their way. That pays the bills at Hiking Feet, lets me buy boots and shoes to review, and gives me a little bit back for all the unpaid hours I've devoted to creating free content to help hikers choose the right boots or shoes for their hikes.
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