Backside Line
The Merrell Moab Velocity 2 is one in every of our high picks for the greatest ladies’s mountain climbing sneakers and is a good selection for hikers and backpackers who need one thing trendy and light-weight with a extra strong construct. When testing the Moab Velocity 2 alongside the PCT, we discovered it delivers the safety of a standard mountain climbing shoe with the nimbleness of a path runner. The decently sturdy toe cap and heel held up over rocky terrain, uneven floor, talus scrambling, and uncovered roots. The shoe provides distinctive consolation, making it splendid for day hikes and light-weight backpacking, and it’s priced affordably in comparison with extra rugged fashions. Nevertheless, a beefier possibility could be the transfer for carrying heavier backpacks or tackling lengthy, demanding slogs.
Fast Specs
Girls’s Merrell Moab Velocity 2
Wonderful for Model, Weight, & Sturdiness
Value:
$140
Weight (Pair):
1 lb. 3.4 oz.
Heel-to-Toe Drop:
10 mm
Execs
- Light-weight
- Fashionable
- Above-average consolation
- No break-in wanted
- Wonderful Traction
- Much less Costly
Cons
- Much less cushioned
- Not supportive sufficient for heavy hundreds
Consolation
The Merrell Moab Velocity 2 really delivers on consolation. Throughout our hikes round Lake Tahoe and Donner Move, the plush midsole feels nice underneath the foot, even on jagged floor. On our trek by way of the rugged terrain of the Pacific Crest Path close to Donner Move, the added foam within the midsole offered a soft really feel even after miles of mountain climbing over boulders. The versatile nylon higher and ample padding across the collar stored our toes comfy and didn’t get any scorching spots. Nevertheless, the large toe field did result in a barely much less safe match, which we observed on extra technical sections. These sneakers supply distinctive consolation for lengthy day hikes or much less technical routes. The shoe felt a tad heat within the warmth, however the breathable higher helped management foot temperature and total was not a significant concern.
Traction
The Moab Velocity 2 had nice grip by way of different terrain round Lake Tahoe. The Vibram outsole, with its 4mm lugs, stored us from sliding on free gravel and muddy patches, making our hike alongside the Tahoe Rim Path fairly regular. Nevertheless, on steep, rocky descents, akin to these encountered on the Donner Move trails, the traction wasn’t as dependable. The marginally free match additionally performed a job on this. We discovered the sizing to be a bit massive and the match beneficiant, which meant though the underside traction might have been secure, it lended to an insecure feeling with loads of motion contained in the shoe. For basic path situations and reasonable inclines, the traction supplies good stability.
Weight
The load of the Moab Velocity 2 is a candy spot for many hikers. At 1.25 kilos for a ladies’s dimension 8, they have been gentle sufficient for fast, nimble mountain climbing round Lake Tahoe, however nonetheless sturdy sufficient for the rocky trails. This steadiness made them splendid for our different hikes, the place we would have liked to maneuver swiftly however nonetheless wanted sufficient assist for uneven terrain.
Sturdiness
The Moab Velocity 2 provides unparalleled sturdiness. We examined these sneakers on the rugged trails round Reno and the Sierra Nevada, together with some demanding routes just like the steep and rocky paths of the Tahoe Nationwide Forest. Regardless of scrambling over sharp rocks and navigating by way of brush, the sneakers held up remarkably effectively, displaying solely minor beauty put on. The heel and toe caps and the robust nylon higher present they’re constructed to face up to tough use over time.
Climate Resistance
The Moab Velocity 2 aren’t significantly waterproof. When the sneakers received moist, the water seeped by way of the higher pretty simply. Nevertheless, we didn’t discover the dampness after some time, because the shoe remained comfy. The sneakers took longer to dry than different fashions, just like the Saucony, however it wasn’t a significant concern as a result of they remained comfy.
Ought to You Purchase the Merrell Moab Velocity 2?
The Merrell Moab Velocity 2 is a powerful selection for hikers who desire a shoe that’s not missing in fashion however supplies efficiency and luxury for a wide range of trails. The Moab Velocity 2 provides ample cushioning and assist for day hikes with glorious traction. Its light-weight design and cushioned midsole make it splendid for fast adventures, however you might have considered trying one thing extra water resistant or extra supportive for a multi-day trekking. For technical, rocky scrambles or steep, uneven terrain, the shoe’s roomier match and fewer aggressive traction won’t present the safety or grip you want. It’s possible you’ll need to dimension down if you’re primarily doing technical hikes. General, it’s an important selection for balancing fashion with perform and practicality however might fall brief in extraordinarily moist situations or for lengthy, fully-loaded pack missions.
What Different Girls’s Mountaineering Sneakers Ought to You Contemplate?
Salomon X Extremely 4 GTX: For those who’re contemplating the Merrell Moab Velocity 2, you may additionally just like the Salomon X Extremely 4 GTX, which is ideal for individuals who desire a sturdy shoe that feels virtually like a path runner. It’s nice for backpackers and day hikers who need to sort out difficult terrain with superior traction.
Topo Ultraventure 3: This lighter, extra breathable possibility with higher assist is superb for hikers who want consolation and grip. The Topos’s ethereal design makes it a sensible choice for lengthy days within the warmth or for these hot-footed of us on the market.
Merell Moab 3 Evaluation: For those who’re drawn to the Moab Velocity’s consolation however want one thing extra rugged, the Merrell Moab 3 is a strong decide. It’s splendid for hikers preferring a protecting shoe that may final a very long time.
