Merrell Moab 3 Mid WP review: the most popular hiking boot in the UK

The Merrell Moab 3 Mid WP is probably the best-known hiking boot in the UK right now. Walk any popular trail — the South Downs, the Jurassic Coast, the Brecon Beacons — and you'll see them. That kind of ubiquity can make a boot easy to dismiss. It shouldn't.

At around £110, it's the boot I recommend when someone asks me where to start. Vibram outsole, M-Select DRY waterproofing, a fit that works from day one with almost no break-in required, and a wide version for hikers who've always struggled with standard fits. The Moab 3 earns its reputation.

This review is based on testing across Jurassic Coast trails including the Durdle Door circular and the chalk and limestone of the Purbeck Hills. I'll cover what the boot does well, where it falls short, and how it stacks up against the Salomon X Ultra 360 Mid GTX — the boot I reach for on more demanding days.

Who is this boot for?

The Moab 3 sits at an interesting point in the market. It's not a specialist boot — it doesn't pretend to be. What it is, is a well-built, well-priced all-rounder that works across a genuinely wide range of conditions and a genuinely wide range of hikers.

It suits you if:

• You're buying your first serious hiking boot and want something proven and forgiving
• You walk UK mixed terrain — coast path, chalk downland, forest trails, light moorland
• You need a waterproof boot but can't justify spending £150–200
• You have wider feet and have historically struggled with standard trail boot fits
• You want something that's comfortable within the first few walks, not the first season

It's less right for you if:

• You're doing technical mountain routes where ankle stability under load is critical
• You want a lightweight, low-profile shoe for fast days on dry trail — for that, the Salomon Speedcross 6 is the better call
• You're walking in sustained hot weather and breathability is the priority — Gore-Tex and M-Select DRY both trap heat

Specs

Weight

~476g per boot (size 9 men's)

Waterproofing

M-Select DRY membrane

Outsole

Vibram TC5+

Lug depth

5mm

Heel-to-toe drop

11.5mm

Stack height

20.5mm toe / 31.7mm heel

Upper materials

Pigskin suede leather with breathable mesh panels

Shank

Nylon

Midsole

EVA foam with heel air cushion

Insole

Removable M-Select FRESH antimicrobial

Available widths

Standard D and Wide 2E

UK price

~£110

Vibram TC5+ outsole — grip on UK terrain

The Vibram TC5+ is the outsole that separates the Moab 3 from cheaper boots at this price point. Most budget hiking boots use proprietary rubber compounds — functional enough on dry paths but often compromised on wet rock or muddy descents. Vibram's TC5+ compound is engineered specifically for mountain terrain: sticky enough to bite on wet surfaces, durable enough to outlast most hikers' expectations.

In practice on Jurassic Coast terrain — mixed limestone, chalk and flint — the grip is solid and confidence-inspiring. Crossing wet chalk sections on the cliff path near Lulworth, where a slip would be unpleasant, the Moab 3 stays planted. The 5mm lug depth digs into soft ground without being so aggressive that it packs up with mud and loses contact on harder surfaces.

The outsole covers the toe cap area well, which matters on rocky trails where foot placement isn't always clean. The heel brake is deep and angled, which helps on steep descents on loose terrain — one of the areas where cheaper boots with flatter tread patterns feel genuinely less safe.

M-Select DRY waterproofing

The Moab 3 Mid WP uses Merrell's own M-Select DRY membrane rather than Gore-Tex. This is a sensible decision for a boot at this price, and it doesn't mean you're getting a lesser product — but it does mean understanding what you're getting.

M-Select DRY performs well in the conditions most UK day hikers actually encounter: rain, wet grass, shallow stream crossings, damp ground. In testing across typical Jurassic Coast spring and autumn conditions it keeps feet dry without drama. Water entering over the ankle cuff is always the limitation — boot height, not membrane quality.

Where it differs from Gore-Tex is breathability. The M-Select DRY membrane is less breathable than Gore-Tex, and the Moab 3's leather upper doesn't help. On a cool autumn day on the coast path this isn't an issue. On a warm May day doing 20km, heat and moisture do build up inside the boot. If you're walking in summer heat regularly and breathability matters more to you than waterproofing, the non-waterproof mesh version of the Moab 3 is worth considering — or look at a Gore-Tex option at a higher price point.

For most UK walking from September through May — which is the majority of serious hiking weather here — M-Select DRY is more than adequate. The boot also takes longer than a mesh upper to dry out if it does get saturated, so if you're regularly crossing deep streams or walking in prolonged rain, factor that in.

Fit, comfort and the wide option

This is where the Moab 3 wins most of its fans. The fit is generous compared to more technical hiking boots — there's enough room in the toe box that long descents don't result in black toenails, and the heel cup holds securely without creating hotspots.

The real advantage is the wide (2E) version. Many hiking boot manufacturers offer token wide fits that are barely distinguishable from standard. Merrell's 2E is a proper wide last — meaningful extra volume across the forefoot and midfoot. If you've historically struggled to find trail boots that don't cause blisters on the outer foot or pressure points across the forefoot, this is the version to try. It's available at the same price as the standard width, which isn't always the case with wide-fit hiking boots.

The suede and mesh upper breaks in quickly (more on that below), and the gusseted bellows tongue does a good job of keeping debris out. The lacing pattern is straightforward and gives good tension control — nothing fancy, but reliable.

Step-in comfort is noticeably good. This is a boot that, after a single short walk, feels like it's been part of your kit for months.

Break-in period

The Moab 3 Mid WP has one of the shortest break-in periods of any boot at this price. Most stiff leather hiking boots — including technically superior options at higher prices — need serious mileage before they stop punishing your feet. The Salomon X Ultra 360 Mid GTX, which I rate highly, still required a few weeks of shorter walks before it felt right on long days.

The Moab 3 is different. The combination of EVA midsole, the generous last shape and the suede/mesh upper means most people can take these straight out of the box for a 10–12km walk without significant issues. There's a minor bedding-in period where the upper moulds slightly to the foot, but it happens quickly and without the extended friction pain you get from stiffer constructions.

This matters more than people think. A hiking boot that sits in the cupboard for six weeks because you haven't had time to break it in properly is not serving you. The Moab 3 is ready when you are.

Moab 3 vs Moab 2 — what changed

The Moab 2 was a good boot. The Moab 3 is a better one, and the differences are meaningful rather than cosmetic.

The headline change is the outsole. The Moab 2 used a proprietary Merrell rubber compound — capable, but not Vibram. The Moab 3 ships with a full Vibram TC5+ outsole. On wet rock and muddy terrain the difference is noticeable. Vibram's compound grips harder and lasts longer under abrasion.

Merrell also revised the midsole with a nylon shank that adds torsional rigidity. The Moab 2's midsole was softer and twisted more easily underfoot on uneven terrain. The Moab 3 feels more planted and controlled, particularly during scrambles or technical descents where the foot wants to roll.

The heel-to-toe drop increased very slightly (11mm to 11.5mm), and the boot uses more recycled materials in the webbing, laces and lining. The upper uses pigskin leather in place of the Moab 2's pig suede in some configurations, which adds durability. The overall silhouette is largely unchanged — if you knew the Moab 2, the 3 will feel immediately familiar.

Moab 3 vs Salomon X Ultra 360 Mid GTX

This is the comparison that matters for most UK hikers deciding where to spend their money.

The Salomon X Ultra 360 Mid GTX sits at around £155–160. It's a technically superior boot in several measurable ways: Gore-Tex waterproofing offers better breathability, the Contagrip MA outsole is engineered specifically for Salomon's geometry, and the boot is lighter and more agile than the Moab 3.

But the gap is smaller than the price difference suggests, and for many UK hikers the Moab 3 is the better practical choice. The Salomon X Ultra 360 excels on technical ground: longer days in the hills, mixed moorland, routes where the terrain is punishing and you want every technical advantage the boot can offer. I take it to the Brecon Beacons and the South Downs on big days out.

The Moab 3 excels at everything else — the majority of what most UK walkers actually do. Coast path walking, forest trails, chalk downland, light moorland. At £40–50 less it's a meaningful saving, and the Vibram outsole means you're not making a serious technical compromise on grip. The main real-world difference is breathability (Gore-Tex wins) and overall build precision (Salomon's construction is tighter).

My view: buy the Moab 3 if the bulk of your walking is UK day-hiking terrain at moderate mileage. Move up to the X Ultra 360 if you're regularly doing long days in the hills, walking in warm conditions where breathability is critical, or if you want a boot that will still perform well in five years of hard use.

What to pair it with

Socks — the Moab 3 works well with a quality merino hiking sock. I wear Darn Tough hiking socks with everything, and they work particularly well here — the merino manages moisture inside the waterproof liner better than a synthetic sock, reducing heat build-up on longer walks. A mid-weight crew or over-the-calf height is right for a mid-cut boot like this.

Trousers — any quality hiking trouser works well. The mid-cut height is high enough to keep debris out without needing gaiters on most terrain. If you're looking for trouser recommendations, the best hiking trousers UK guide covers the field thoroughly.

Pros

• Vibram TC5+ outsole — proper grip on wet rock and muddy terrain
• M-Select DRY waterproofing works well for UK spring and autumn conditions
• Comfortable from day one — very short break-in period
• Genuine wide-fit option (2E) at no extra cost
• Outstanding value at ~£110
• Generous toe box prevents black toenails on descents
• Bellows tongue keeps debris out effectively
• Removable insole — easy to upgrade or replace

What to know before buying:

• Heavier than modern trail-runner-influenced boots — you'll feel the difference on long days
• M-Select DRY is less breathable than Gore-Tex — warm-weather and summer use builds heat inside the boot
• The stock insole is basic — worth replacing with a quality aftermarket insole if you have any arch support requirements
• Not a technical mountain boot — for serious ridge walking or scrambling, a stiffer option is more appropriate

Verdict

The Merrell Moab 3 Mid WP is the right first serious hiking boot for most UK walkers, and a completely sensible choice for experienced hikers who want a trusted, comfortable all-rounder that doesn't ask to be earned over a hundred miles.

The Vibram TC5+ outsole is the standout feature at this price — most boots at £110 don't come with Vibram rubber, and the grip difference on wet Jurassic Coast limestone is real. The M-Select DRY waterproofing is honest: effective in the conditions you'll encounter from autumn through spring, not the answer for hot-weather summer use. The wide-fit option makes this genuinely accessible to a wider range of feet than most trail boots.

Where it falls behind the Salomon X Ultra 360 Mid GTX is in breathability, weight and long-term precision. At £50 less, that trade-off is easy to accept for the majority of UK day hiking.

Rating: 4.5 / 5