Merrell Moab Speed 2 Hiking Shoe - Men's Black, 12.0

"What Our Gearhead® Experts Are Saying:""I wore the Moab Speed 2 on a long summit day with a lot of loose scree and rooted switchbacks, and the FlexPlate midsole kept my ankles stable on the technical sections without killing the natural flex I wanted on the climb. The FloatPro Foam stack absorbs more than you'd expect from a shoe this light, and the Vibram TC5+ lugs bit into soft trail and wet rock with equal confidence. It's the shoe I'd reach for any time the objective calls for moving fast without giving up protection.""The best summit days start with a quick pace — one where the shoe underfoot feels athletic enough to move fast on smooth trail but planted enough to handle whatever the mountain puts in the way. The Merrell Moab Speed 2 Hiking Shoe is built precisely for that rhythm, marrying the lightweight cushion and agility of a trail runner with the stability and protection the Moab platform has delivered for decades. The FloatPro Foam midsole delivers a generous stack of shock absorption that keeps legs fresher over long approaches, while the FlexPlate insert adds lateral stability and rock protection underfoot without eliminating the forefoot flex that makes climbing feel natural. A reinforced nylon ripstop and TPU upper handles abrasion from rocky terrain while staying breathable enough for warm-weather efforts, and a gusseted tongue keeps trail debris where it belongs — outside the shoe. The Vibram TC5+ outsole with multi-directional lugs grips soft earth, dirty rock, and everything between with reliable confidence. At just over 12 ounces, the Moab Speed 2 hits a weight class that makes the uphill feel easier and the miles feel shorter."

Price: $144.95 from Backcountry