Best Women’s Hiking Boots and Shoes from Merrell®

The most environmentally friendly Moab ever, version 3 is constructed with recycled materials and has the other extraordinary features that have made the Moab popular with hikers for 15 years. It still offers exceptional durability, out-of-the-box comfort, and uncanny versatility. The latest version, the Moab 3 has been improved with a more steadfast insole, a more cushioned midsole, and an impressive Vibram® outsole.

You’re going to love the new Moab 3! With different designs and features, choose the boot or shoe that fits you and your hiking style.

Best All-Around Boots

Moab 3 Mid

Constructed with a pig suede leather and breathable mesh upper, then equipped with 100% recycled laces and webbing and a debris-fighting bellows tongue, the Moab 3 Mid as the same comfortable, durable, and versatile qualities found in earlier versions. But the Moab 3 Mid is even better! It has a Super Rebound Compound that provides shock absorption to help reduce torque and allow a smooth transition into the midfoot, plus a protective and abrasion-resistant rubber heel and toe cap. The Kinetic Fit™ ADVANCED contoured, removable footbed with reinforced heel cushioning and a molded nylon arch shank add support and stability. The Moab 3 Mid outsole made of Vibram® TC5+ rubber compound, which was formulated exclusively for Merrell, offers extraordinary traction to help you stay afoot no matter where you’re hiking. Switchback Travel praises, “All-day comfort is excellent: The Moab has plush padding throughout, provides great isolation from the trail, and offers a smooth ride with good flex at the forefoot.”1

The Merrell® Women’s Moab 3 Mid is available in Medium and Wide widths, and in one colorway.

Best all-around shoes

Moab 3

“I gave the Merrell Moab 3 walking shoes a baptism of fire, and they still left me blissfully blister-free,” states Harry Bullmore in his review on Fit and Well.2 If you’ve worn Moab 3 shoes before, you know they’re comfortable. It’s hard to believe Merrell could improve the shoe, but the Moab 3 is better than ever. Be protected and stay stable with the abrasion-resistant rubber heel and toe cap, the Merrell Air Cushion in the heel, the Kinetic Fit™ ADVANCED removable footbed  and the molded nylon arch shank. The Super Rebound Compound provides shock absorption to help reduce torque. Built with a breathable pigskin leather and mesh upper, and accessorized with eco-friendly, 100% recycled laces, webbing and mesh lining, as well as a bellows tongue to help keep debris out. The Moab 3 outsole is made of Vibram® TC5+ rubber compound, especially developed for Merrell, and offers great gripping traction on trails, pavement, or wherever your hikes take you.

The Merrell® Women’s Moab 3 is available in Medium and Wide widths, and in seven colorways.

Best Waterproof Boots

Moab 3 Mid GORE-TEX®

The Moab 3 GORE-TEX® MID was recently favorably reviewed by Advnture, “The Gore-Tex liner has kept our feet reliably dry and mostly comfortable, and the bellows tongue enables you to negotiate puddles or slightly boggy ground with confidence….”3 You’ll be ready for wet – rain, dew, or puddles – when you’re wearing the Moab 3 Mid GORE-TEX® waterproof boot. It has the same great features as the Women’s Moab 3 Mid with the addition of a GORE-TEX® waterproof membrane lining that gives you exceptional waterproof performance while maintaining breathability. The Vibram® TC5+ outsole, formatted exclusively for Merrell®, has extraordinary traction on wet trails or pavement. The boot is environmentally friendly, too. It has 100% recycled laces, webbing, and mesh lining. The Super Rebound Compound, the Kinetic Fit™ ADVANCED removable, contoured footbed, the molded nylon arch shank, and the Merrell Air Cushion in the heel work together to keep you stable while providing shock absorption. The abrasion-resistant rubber heel and toe cap protect your feet while the bellows tongue keeps out annoying debris. Don’t let wet weather deter you – get the Moab 3 GORE-TEX® and travel on.

The Merrell® Women’s Moab 3 Mid GORE-TEX® is available in Medium and Wide widths and in five colorways.

Best Waterproof Shoes

Moab 3 GORE-TEX®

Lace up your Moab 3 GORE-TEX® waterproof shoes and take that hike you’ve planned — even if it’s a rainy day. Built with a breathable pig suede leather and mesh upper and starting with the same great comfort and support features as the Moab 3, the Moab 3 GORE-TEX® is lined with a GORE-TEX® waterproof membrane that maintains breathability while offering water protection. Equipped with eco-friendly recycled laces, webbing, and mesh lining, the Moab 3 GORE-TEX® has the support of the Kinetic Fit™ ADVANCED removable, contoured footbed, the molded nylon arch shank, and the Merrell Air Cushion in the heel for stability. The Super Rebound Compound provides durable shock absorption to help reduce torque, and the outsoles made of Vibram® TC5+ rubber compound especially developed for Merrell, has outstanding traction regardless of where your walk or hike takes you. Another writer for Advnture gave a glowing review of the Moab 3 GORE-TEX® hiking shoe, stating, “The Gore-Tex membrane is expertly incorporated into the upper of the shoe, as you would expect from Merrell, supplying breathable protection against the ingress of water when crossing shallow streams or walking through wet grass.”4

The Merrell® Women’s Moab 3 GORE-TEX® is available in Medium width and ten colorways.

Best Long-Distance and Backpacking Boots

Moab 3 Mid

Chosen by RunRepeat as the best day-long hiking boot, the Moab 3 Mid receives high marks for its comfort and support, as well as its sure-footedness. RunRepeat also praises the Moab 3 Mid boot’s anti-stink qualities, long-lasting durability, and its affordable price.5 The breathable pig suede leather and mesh upper has environmentally friendly 100% recycled laces, webbing and breathable mesh lining. You’ll feel secure on grassy terrain and trails, thanks to the molded nylon arch shank, the Kinetic Fit™ ADVANCED removable, contoured footbed, and the Merrell Air Cushion in the heel. The Moab 3 Mid boot has a protective and abrasion-resistant rubber heel and toe cap. As the day wears on, you’ll be grateful for the Super Rebound Compound that offers durable shock absorption to help reduce torque. The super grippy outsole is made of Vibram® TC5+ rubber compound, which was specially formulated for Merrell. The Moab 3 Mid was recently chosen by RunRepeat as the best day-long hiking boot.5

The Merrell® Women’s Moab 3 Mid is available in Medium and Wide widths, and in one colorway.

Best Long-Distance and Backpacking Shoes

Moab 3

Switchback Travel recently praised the Moab 3, “All told, if you put a premium on soft cushioning and comfort for day hikes and backpacking trips, I wholeheartedly recommend the Moab 3.”6 Stylishly built with a breathable pig suede leather and mesh and finished with eco-friendly 100% recycled laces, webbing, and breathable mesh lining, the Moab 3 has an abrasion-resistant rubber heel and toe cap for protection.  The Merrell Air Cushion in the heel, the Kinetic Fit™ ADVANCED removable footbed, and molded nylon arch shank will give you the stability to stay surefooted, while the Super Rebound Compound offers shock absorption. The outsole is made of specially developed Vibram® TC5+ rubber compound, and it gives you great traction over rough terrain and on paved trails. The Moab 3 shoe is the footwear you’ll reach for when you head out for a day-long hike or a backpacking trip.

The Merrell® Women’s Moab 3 is available in Medium and Wide widths, and in seven colorways.

Best Short Distance/Speed Boots

Antora 3 Mid Waterproof

Merrell’s best-selling women’s trail running boot has been enhanced with a waterproof membrane to keep your feet dry no matter the weather. Other updates include a more durable, but still breathable mesh and TPU upper, a softer midsole with FloatPro Foam™ pods that are placed where you need cushioning the most – under the forefoot and heel. The Antora 3 Mid Waterproof arrives with the great attributes the first two versions had. Comfort details include a padded collar and a Super Rebound Compound midsole for shock absorption to help reduce torque and allow for a smooth transition into the midfoot, a protective rock plate, and a super grippy outsole made of Vibram® TC5+ rubber compound that was formulated exclusively for Merrell. Treated with Cleansport NXT™ for natural order control, the Antora 3 Mid Waterproof is equipped with eco-friendly, 100% recycled laces, webbing, and mesh footbed. So take that trail run and stay dry and comfortable in the shoe built for your style.

The Merrell® Women’s Antora 3 Mid Waterproof is available in Medium and three colorways.

Best Short Distance/Speed Shoes

MQM 3 GORE-TEX®

Outdoors Magic, stated of the MQM 3 GORE-TEX®, “For fast hiking, you want something that’s light but still supportive and sturdy, you want something that’s grippy but not too overbearing and you want something that’s waterproof but also breathable too. Case in point: the Merrell MQM 3 GORE-TEX®.” MQM stands for “Moving Quickly in the Mountains,” and the third iteration of the Merrell best-selling, multi-tool footwear is stable enough to hike in, agile enough to run in, and durable enough for light scrambling. The GORE-TEX® membrane lining keeps your feet dry while the breathable upper and mesh lining keep you cool. The eco-friendly shoe has 100% recycled laces, webbing, and mesh lining that’s treated with Cleansport NXT™ for natural odor control. The nylon shank and rock plate protect while the Merrell Air Cushion and Super Rebound Compound work together to provide shock absorption. The MQM 3 GORE-TEX shoe has been updated with a grippier outsole made of Vibram® TC5+, specially formulated for Merrell, and a lace-to-toe lacing system for a better locked-in fit.

The Merrell® Women’s MQM 3 GORE-TEX® is available in Medium and two colorways.
1Switchback Travel, accessed January 31, 2023. https://www.switchbacktravel.com/reviews/merrell-moab-3
3 Jones, Matthew, Advnture, October 7, 2022, accessed January 30, 2023. https://www.advnture.com/reviews/merrell-moab-3-mid-gtx
4 Kinsella, Pat, Advnture, July 23, 2022, accessed January 30, 2023. https://www.advnture.com/reviews/merrell-moab-3-gore-tex
5 Ronto, Paul, RunRepeat, January 1, 2023, accessed January 30, 2023. https://runrepeat.com/guides/best-summer-hiking-boots#best-day-hiking
6Switchback Travel, accessed January 31, 2023. https://www.switchbacktravel.com/reviews/merrell-moab-3
7Renwick, Will, Outdoors Magic, December 7, 2022, accessed January 31, 2023. https://outdoorsmagic.com/article/merrell-mqm-3-gore-tex-review/