Merrell Moab Speed 2
The Speed 2 are high-drop, high-cushion trail runners that are at home on moderate trails, good for running, day hiking, or backpacking. Their extreme padding ensures all-day comfort for any of those activities.
Moab Speed 2 Specs
MSRP: $140
Weight: 12.34 ounces per shoe
Outsole: Vibram LTC5+
Drop: 10 mm
About the Moab Speed 2
The Speed 2 are highly cushioned trail runners that absorb a pounding whether I’m running or backpacking. The 34mm-to-24mm stack height is an outlier in a world of low-drop shoes, but I appreciate the extra comfort and support for my flat feet that let me bounce from rock to rock without losing a feel for the trail.
Performance
Trail Ready: The Speed 2 are comfortable out of the box, at home on rocky trails, wet trails, and dry dirt trails. Merrell rates them good for moderate trails, which leaves out bushwhacking or steep rock scrambling.
GORE-TEX Lining: The Speed 2 have an optional GORE-TEX lining in the low-cut shoes, while the mid-cut shoes only come with a GORE-TEX lining. I prefer a low-cut without GORE-TEX because although they get wet quicker, they also dry faster. The Speed 2 stayed dry for me while hiking on wet and muddy trails. When the going got really wet through standing water the Speed 2 did a good job of shedding inside water and staying comfortable.
Outsoles: The Vibram TC5+ soles with 4mm lugs grip the trail, and I rock-hopped without fear of slipping on wet surfaces. The lugs are widely space to shed trail debris.
Midsole: My feet appreciate the thickly cushioned FloatPro midsole, with a stack height of 34mm to 24mm. The Speed 2 are stable through a variety of terrain, keeping my feet solidly planted on the trail.
Comfort
Mesh Uppers: Comfortable, breathable, and flexible. I like the padding that surrounds my ankles and keeps my feet firmly attached inside the shoes. The nylon ripstop and TPU uppers repel some water but aren’t waterproof. On the plus side, water that might get inside the shoes drains well through the mesh fabric.
Fit and Width: The size 12 Speed 2 are a spot on fit for my size 12 feet, with extra room in the toe box. The Speed 2 are available in medium width and wide width. The medium width Speed 2 are comfortable for my narrow feet, and my feet don’t slip around in the shoes.
Stack Height: The 34mm stack height with a drop of 10 mm provides a lot of cushion for my feet, and despite the thick cushion the shoes are stable on trail. I bounced along rocky trails without feeling a thud in my feet. And with flat feet and my heels striking first as I walk, I wear shoes with a high drop because low-drop shoes don’t provide enough support for me.
Good to Know
Sustainability: Merrell uses recycled material for the breathable mesh lining, the mesh footbed cover, and the EVA foam that cushions the midsole.
Warranty: Merrell’s warranty promises that footwear will be free of defects in materials and workmanship for one year from the verified date of purchase or delivery (if later than the date of purchase) by the original end-user purchaser.
Moab Speed 2 Pros
Grip: Solid traction through rocks, mud, and dry trail. Stable on trail despite the high stack height.
Comfort: Plenty of cushion and support for long trail days.
Stack Height: The 34mm stack height is a lot of padding under my feet, but I didn’t feel disconnected from the trail. And because I walk with my heel striking first I appreciate the thick cushion in the heel.
Moab Speed 2 Cons
Trail Limits: The Speed 2 are for moderate trail hiking, and aren’t intended for technical terrain.
Weight: Middle of the pack for weight, but still light.
Overall Value
I like that the Speed 2 have plenty of cushion for my feet, especially on long hikes with a ~20-pound backpack. The grip and stability are solid on muddy and rocky trails, and the 34mm stack height cushions my feet from the pounding of rocks without disconnecting me from the trail. The price is comparable to other trail runners in the Speed 2’s category. These have become my go-to shoes for all my hikes and running.
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This product was donated for purpose of review.
