Review: Merrell Moab FST Gore-tex Walking Shoes

I recently received a pair of the new Merrell Moab FST walking shoes to try out. They arrived at a particularly good time. I decided at the end of our road trip over in North America that I should really replace my KEEN Bryce hiking shoes. In the four years I have had them I have worn them so much they were no longer comfortable. It’s sad when a faithful pair of shoes are not comfortable anymore, I find it hard to admit and even harder to throw them out. But with the arrival of my new Merrells I wasted no time in saying a final goodbye to my collapsed and horrible feeling shoes, laced up my new walkers and headed off to try them out on my local trails. 

I am very happy to admit that I’m a boots wearing hiker. I like the support and stability I get from a good pair of hiking boots (these are my favs), and will almost always choose boots over shoes when it comes to any kind of actual hiking. But I love walking shoes. I like the way they look and feel on my feet and think everyone should own a pair for days where comfort are a priority. Walking shoes like these are ideal for a wander around a city, a short hike up a nice trail, a meander through a shopping mall, a day at a country park, an afternoon in the garden, a day out at a theme park, that kind of thing. So while I didn’t take my Merrells on any difficult terrain, I have pretty much worn nothing else for the last three weeks, and think I can safely say I’ve not been missing my old ones too much.

Merrell Moab FST Gore-tex Shoes

Merrell say these shoes are designed for all-day comfort and out of the box fit, and with the vibram sole, gore-tex waterproofing, contoured foot bed and air cushion in the heel I was expecting nothing less than happy feet from the first wear. And you’ll be pleased to know I wasn’t disappointed. They have taken next to no breaking in, and I can wear them with ordinary trainer socks and not have any issues with blisters or hot spots.

Knowing I would never want to wear these with thick hiking socks I went for my usual size (I go up half a size in hiking boots to provide the extra room), and they fit really well. I like the look of them too, a very Merrell looking shoe that is quite chunky (just a teeny bit too chunky to fit nicely into my motorcycle pannier which is a shame) and utilitarian looking. It’s a practical shoe and has the looks to match. The grey and black is masculine but I am very happy with that, I like a nice neutral walking shoe as then I can wear them with anything and not worry.

Overall I would say Merrell have created a great all rounder here. It’s a shoe I am very happy to wear with jeans for a walk around town, and equally as happy to use as a day hiker when travelling. They’re not cheap coming in at £120, but I have every confidence they will prove their worth over the next few years and I will certainly let you know if they do or they don’t!

Thanks to Merrell for sending me a pair of their new Moab FST shoes to try out. As always the words and pictures are my own. If you fancy treating yourself you can find them over on the Merrell website here.