Merrell Moab 2 8" Tactical Waterproof Boot Review
If you haven’t tried a pair of Merrell boots for duty use, we highly recommend their Moab 2 8” Tactical Waterproof Boot. Merrell is already well known for its high-quality hiking boots, and they don’t disappoint with their tactical/police boots either.
Over the course of my career, I’ve tried tons of boots. I’ve had Bates, Under Armour, 5.11’s, you name them I’ve had them. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of them were great boots and some, well some were just a straight up disappointment. The Moab 2’s were some of the great ones.
Below I’ll break down some of the Moab 2’s details as well as my experience with them after 6 months of use as police duty boots.
Weight:
A pair of Moab 2’s weigh in at 2lb 11oz. This was impressive compared to my last pair of boots, (Bates GX-8’s), which weighed 4lbs! I spent many 12-hour shifts on these over the last 6 months and I can’t tell you how much my feet and back appreciated how light these boots are.
Comfort:
The Moab 2 8” Tactical Boots really hit all of the marks when it comes to comfort. They have supportive insoles; cushioned heels, top-notch arch supports, and the tongue and the entire shaft of the boots are cushioned. I personally went with the 8” boots over the Mid version for the added support and stability around my ankles. They provided a snug, yet comfortable fit that didn’t interfere with my flexibility at all.
The size and fit were perfect for me, although I’ve heard that some benefit from going a half-size smaller than usual. I also appreciate a boot with a side zipper and the heavy-duty zipper on the Moab 2’s made for easy on and off access.
Traction:
The Vibram outsoles easily handled all of the terrain I encountered over 6 months of use. From wet pavement, dirt, gravel, mud, icy roads, (yes, we get those from time to time here in Texas), and the Moab 2’s never once slipped or lost traction. They wear well too, as seen in my photos, so you don’t have to worry about them wearing down too fast.
Breathability: With the Moab 2’s breathable mesh lining, my feet never got hot or sweaty in the Texas summers. And in the Texas “winters,” with temps in the 20-30’s my feet stayed warm as well.
Waterproofing: Here in Texas, we have the occasional hurricane and street flooding. The Moab 2’s waterproofing construction delivered a mostly dry experience for me. In heavy rain my socks stayed bone dry, although when I stepped into a heavily flooded street my socks were soaked. With that being said, the water was over my knees, and I don’t think anything short of waders was going to stop the water from reaching my socks. In my experience though, between heavy rain and puddle jumping, I think the waterproofing in these boots performed exceptionally well.
Overall Opinion: After 6 months of heavy use, I was really impressed with the Moab 2 8” Tactical Boot for police use. The overall build quality of these boots is phenomenal. Everything feels and functions like a high-quality boot should. As someone who spends 12+ hours in their boots I can honestly say these boots were worth every penny. I didn’t experience any break-in time and they just feel good strapped to your feet. The only thing I wish they had was the loop in the back to pull them on easier but hey, maybe that’s just my laziness showing. If you’re in law enforcement, EMS/EMT, or in the firefighting business, give the Merrell Moab 2 Tactical duty boots a shot. You’ll be glad you did, well your feet will.
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