Merrell Moab 3 Mid GTX – Two Years Later, Here’s the Truth

Merrell Moab 3 Mid GTX proudly calls itself the “Mother of All Boots” and consistently grabs top rankings on several review sites. I beg to differ. I bought a pair two years ago (2023) and had to bin them at the end of 2025 because water was penetrating the interior, and the mesh and leather were tearing at the stitching.

This third-generation boot was launched in 2022 and is available as MID and GTX versions for men and women.

The brand claims it’s the world’s best-selling hiking boot, perhaps due to the almost universally positive media reviews. From my experience and from other real customer experience they are still good but not the obvious go-to boot the media would have you believe.

 

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{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How long do Merrell Moab 3 Mid GTX boots last?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Expect around 1,600km (1,000 miles) before durability issues appear. The soles hold up well, but the upper construction—particularly near the toe—may fail after about 18 months of regular use.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Are Merrell Moab 3 Mid GTX true to size?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “No, they run about half a size small. Order at least half a size up from your normal shoe size. The fit is also wide, which suits broader feet but may cause heel slippage for narrower feet.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Is the Gore-Tex waterproofing reliable?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “It works well initially for 18+ months in rain, puddles, and wet grass. However, once the upper mesh and leather degrade near the stitching, water gets in regardless of the membrane.”
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{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Are Merrell Moab 3 good for wide feet?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Yes, they’re excellent for wide feet. The regular width is generous, and there’s a dedicated wide version available. The roomy toe box is consistently praised.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Can you use Merrell Moab 3 for backpacking?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “For light to moderate backpacking on decent trails, yes. For heavy loads over 18kg or technical terrain, no. The ankle support and traction aren’t sufficient for serious backpacking.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How do Merrell Moab 3 perform on wet rock?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Poorly. The Vibram TC5+ outsole struggles on wet rock and slickrock. For wet, rocky conditions, boots with Vibram Megagrip are a better choice.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Are Merrell Moab 3 good for muddy trails?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Not really. The tread pattern looks aggressive but clogs easily and doesn’t bite well in thick mud. Fine for occasional muddy patches, but not for sustained muddy conditions.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What’s the difference between Moab 3 Mid and Moab 3 Mid GTX?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The GTX version includes a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane; the standard Mid uses Merrell’s in-house waterproofing. The GTX costs about £20-25 more and offers better breathability alongside waterproofing.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Do Merrell Moab 3 need breaking in?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Barely. They’re comfortable almost immediately out of the box. Most reviewers found no painful break-in period.”
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{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Are Merrell Moab 3 worth the money?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “For casual day hiking and trail walking, yes—good value, not exceptional. You get comfort and versatility at a reasonable price. Just don’t expect them to survive heavy use long-term.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How heavy are Merrell Moab 3 Mid GTX?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Approximately 1kg per pair, which is average for the category. Not ultralight, but not prohibitively heavy for day hiking.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Are Merrell Moab 3 comfortable?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Yes, comfort is their strongest feature. Plush padding around the tongue and ankle, cushy midsole, and a generous toe box make them comfortable for all-day wear straight out of the box.”
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{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Can I use Merrell Moab 3 for everyday wear?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Absolutely. The design is understated enough for casual use, and the comfort makes them suitable for daily wear, dog walking, and light errands.”
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{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How do Merrell Moab 3 compare to Salomon X Ultra 4?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The Salomon X Ultra 4 is lighter, more agile, and has better traction on technical terrain. The Moab 3 is more comfortable out of the box and better suited to wide feet. Choose Salomon for performance, Moab for comfort and value.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Do Merrell Moab 3 have good arch support?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The Kinetic Fit footbed provides decent arch support for most users. Those with high arches or specific support needs may want to swap in custom insoles.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Are Merrell Moab 3 good for plantar fasciitis?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The cushioned midsole and supportive footbed help, but they’re not specifically designed for plantar fasciitis. Consider adding orthotic insoles for additional support.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Can you resole Merrell Moab 3?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “No, the Moab 3 isn’t designed to be resoled. Once the soles wear out—or more likely, the upper fails—you’ll need to replace the boots entirely.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What colours do Merrell Moab 3 Mid GTX come in?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Available in several colourways including Olive, Beluga, Earth, and Black Night. Options vary by region and retailer.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Are Merrell Moab 3 vegan?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “No, they use pig suede leather in the upper construction. Merrell offers other vegan-friendly hiking options if that’s a concern.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Where are Merrell Moab 3 made?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Merrell manufactures the Moab 3 in Vietnam and China, depending on the specific model and batch.”
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Last Updated on 5 February 2026 by the5krunner