MerrellWomen's Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoe

I so wanted to love this shoe. Great support, nice toe box, super fit, everything you expect from Merrell but it also came with unexpected yet consistent lower back pain. I tried breaking them in, swapping shoes, wearing them for limited times, changing the inserts, etc. I'm a month in and each time I wear them results in lower back pain. Never had this experience with another shoe or Merrell product. If you buy them and start with lower back pain return them immediately, it's not going to go away. It's the shoes not you.UPDATE - It is the shoes: Spoke with Merrell. These shoes have a high lug depth (rise from heel to toe was the explanation) most shoes only have a lower lug depth, including many Merrells. The shoe's design is known to result in lower back pain for some people (lug depth or arch placement. Merrell was very helpful and replaced the shoes for me. Very impressed with Merrell they really do stand behind their product.

I have a 52 year old, flat foot with bunions that are painful. So a large toebox is important for me and support under the arch of my foot is important. I have worn many different and good types of shoes that are much higher priced than this Merrell shoe, Ahnu, Ohbo, and Keen but this is the best shoe for someone who needs a wide toebox and arch support. I hike four or five times a week and Merrill boots are the only ones that are supportive enough for me not to have painful feet after my hikes. I will never buy a different brand of boots for this very reason. Please consider the type a foot that you have if you are serious about being comfortable when you are hiking for several miles. If you have a high arch the suppoIf If you have a high arch that does not need support you might reconsider purchasing these shoes because they may interfere with you arch because they are so supportive. They are awesome for a flat foot.

I wore New Balance 993's for years until they started making them in China and the soles felt like carboard. I then switched to Brooks running shoe until they upgraded to a new model and ruined the fit. I then switched to Merrell Moab Vent hiking shoe and have worn the Merrell Moab Ventilator wide hiking shoes for several years. Again someone decided for some reason to upgrade a perfectly good shoe, changing the fit to what I feel is inferior to the Moab Vent that I loved. I received the newVemt 2 upgrade today and found the Vibram sole to be less cushioned that the old one, so when I walk the toe area tends to make a flop noise because it doesn't bend as well. The heel is a wider fit and doesn't cling to my heel as well so it slips. I wear orthotics but the arch in the new Vent 2 is higher so that creates too much arch but not enough without the orthotic. All in all, I think the original Moab Vent was a much superior shoe and will probably be returning the new ones. I wish companies would realize when the have a good thing and stop making changes just for the sake of changes. It doesn't always turn out well. It happened with Keen shoes too. The sole used to be rubber then they ruined it by changing to lest soft recycled soles. All these changes are probably liveable if you have young feet, but there is less and less out there for those of us with old feet who need more quality. I'd be willing to pay for for a good shoe, but for the shoe makers it seems to be all about saving money, which ends up meaning poorer quality.

I LOVE THESE SHOES! I'm a competitive hiker and I put in up to 15 miles a day and these shoes are so comfortable! There was no break-in time at all. I put them on and hit the trail. I normally wear a 7 1/2 but I ordered an 8 and they fit perfect! I have wide feet at the toes and the Moabs are really roomy, had plenty of room to wiggle the piggies. They're lightweight enough not to fatigue my legs, but they are sturdy and easily handle rough terrain and rocks. It's been super humid up there in the UP of Michigan, and my feet haven't been sweaty at all. Got a race on the 4th - will let you know!

I am very disappointed in these shoes. I am a 64 year old woman and got these shoes to walk around my paths in with my dogs. I walk 2-3 times a week for 1-3 miles each time. These are manicured paths mind you. They fit great, look great, but the heels are already coming apart on one of them and the toe on the other. I am so disappointed. Used to be Merrell was a brand name you could trust, but no longer. Save yourself the trouble and buy another brand! Very unhappy!Wanted to add that apparently the Manufacturer has a 1 year warranty on these shoes. Seller requested pictures which I sent and they are working to get me a replacement pair. May revise my product rating if Manufacturer honors their warranty. If they don't, am going to let Amazon know too as they shouldn't be selling a product that the Manufacturer will not honor warranty on. To be continued...Manufacturer did not honor its 1 year warranty on these shoes so be aware of this before you buy! Amazon handled.

As always, Merrell does not disappoint me. I ordered these very close to traveling on a trip to Alaska. Tried them on when they arrived and felt great.....but I have bad feet; bunions, no arch....wide toes for bunion and skinny heel so always tough finding something comfortable that stays on and doesn't irate......and usually need to wear shoes for a while before I decide they are good for me. I wore these most of the time I was in AK. Hiking on rocks, walking on trails and just hanging out. It was cold and wet and my feet stayed toasty warm and comfortable the entire time.

These shoes are giving good grip on the trails and the Smoke gray is lighter in real life than in the picture, which I like. I got the size 90% of my shoes are in and they fit as they should. Comfortable on dirt/grass/sand/rocks but walking through the parking lot is awful between the stiffness of the shoe and the high arches. Another review mentioned the arches which are noticeable but have proven to be beneficial on inclines so I figure it's worth getting used to.

Most importantly, a pretty reasonable fit for the stated size. Many say these shoes are very wide across the fore-foot which was a reason for me to buy them as I have broad feet but I'd say they are about what I would expect from such a style in order to be functional. They are certainly not too broad unless you have a very slim foot. I suspect many budget priced shoes are just plain narrow - less material means less cost. These Merrell Moabs are broad enough for me & quite comfortable, if a bit hot in a heatwave, but then I suppose all such shoes would be.

I was a bit concerned about the size when ordering these as some reviews were saying they were coming up big. I am a 5 and ordered a 5. I do have wide feet and they fit well. I have room to move my toes but the smaller size definitely would be too small.I have only just received them but they are very comfortable. Really pleased with them and the price was great!**update** I have been out walking in these over a few miles each time and they are really comfortable. I have enough room so my toes are not restricted but they do not feel too big at all.

Arrived in good time. I have been wearing Merrell boots and trainers every day for work for over five years. They have always been immediately comfortable. Unfortunately, this is just not the case for these trainers. They are slightly too big and the raise for the instep is lightly off line. The soles do not seem to have much grip and I have nearly slipped over on a couple of occasions, walking along pavements and paths. Cant return as I have worn them, but I am slightly disappointed.

I gave the shoes a trial "run" today. I couldn't believe how comfortable they are. I have wide feet and bunions and it's a nightmare finding anything to walk in which is comfortable. I am going for a 5 mile mountain walk on Sunday and I have the confidence to wear my new Merrells without the worry of blisters and foot problems. There is very good arch support which felt odd at first but I quickly got used to it! The quality seems excellent and they have really good vibram soles. I don't know if they will be waterproof but then nothing is in Crete rain!! I paid for expediated delivery and they arrived in 4 days thanks to quickly being dispatched and to DHL!

Very satisfied with the shoes, although not advertised as waterproof, I have walked through mud and rain and my feet have remained dry and comfortable. Sizing is slightly on the large side, but as I'm doing a lot of walking in them I wear hiking socks, which you need room for!Very satisfied with the customer service. I had a small issue that was resolved quickly and efficiently. I would definitely recommend these shoes for anyone that does a lot of walking. I have so far used them in the UK Autumn, but am taking them traveling to SE Asia, so will see how they are in the heat!