Ready to pick footwear that makes every mile feel easier and keeps your feet happy? Choose from the classic comfort of the Moab 2 or the nimble speed of the X Ultra 4?
SURPRISING FACT: Your boots can make or break a day on the trail. You want a reliable hiking boot that fits your trail needs. This guide compares fit, performance, waterproofing, durability, and value so you can pick the right boot.
Reliable Comfort
You get a dependable, comfortable hiker that performs well on general trails and day hikes. It balances cushioning and protection for most users, though it is not the lightest option and can be less sure-footed on very smooth rock.
Technical Precision
You get a technical, performance-oriented hiking boot that shines on steep, wet, or technical trails thanks to excellent grip and a supportive chassis. It is lightweight and fast, but the narrower fit and mixed reports on long-term durability mean you should check fit carefully for your foot shape.
Merrell Moab 2
Salomon X Ultra
Merrell Moab 2
Salomon X Ultra
Merrell Moab 2
Salomon X Ultra
Salomon X Ultra 4 vs Merrell Moab 2: Gear Showdown
Fit and Comfort: How They Feel on Your Foot
Out of the box
The Merrell Moab 2 gives you immediate comfort. The padded collar, cushioned insole, and roomy forefoot mean you can step onto the trail without a long break in. It feels a bit bulky compared to modern hikers, but that bulk comes with padding and protection.
The Salomon X Ultra 4 feels noticeably snug right away. You will notice a narrower toe box and a firmer midsole. That snugness translates to precise foot control on technical trails, but it can feel tight if your feet are wide.
Sizing guidance
Support, lockdown, and cushioning
Merrell offers a softer, cushioned ride with a removable contoured insole that gives medium arch support and a forgiving toe box. Heel lockdown is adequate, but not locked-in like performance boots.
Salomon uses a stiffer chassis and Sensifit wrap to give firmer arch support and strong heel lockdown. The midsole is more responsive and better for quick, technical hiking.
Break-in tips and solving fit issues
Traction and Trail Performance: Grip, Stability, and Terrain
Outsole design and lug pattern
The Merrell Moab 2 uses a Vibram outsole with relatively chunky, widely spaced lugs. That design prioritizes durability and mud-shedding. You get a predictable bite on dirt and packed trails, but the broad lug faces are less confident on smooth wet rock.
The Salomon X Ultra 4 uses a Salomon rubber compound with multi-directional, sharper lugs and more aggressive edge geometry. It is built to bite into rock and scramble lines and to provide quick traction when you change direction. The narrower, grippier profile gives more precise footholds on technical ground.
Surface performance: wet rock, mud, loose dirt, steep ascents
Stability, responsiveness, and midsole behavior
The Moab 2 has a softer midsole that soaks up trail chatter and feels forgiving on long, easier hikes and loaded days. It is less responsive when you need quick transfers. The X Ultra 4 has a stiffer, more responsive midsole and a supportive chassis that returns energy on faster approaches and technical scrambles. Choose Merrell if you want a comfy, stable ride for day hikes and long miles on moderate terrain. Choose Salomon if you need nimble, confident traction for technical routes and faster-paced hiking.
Waterproofing, Breathability, and Weather Protection
How the membranes compare
The Salomon X Ultra 4 uses a Gore-Tex membrane. Gore-Tex gives you a high level of waterproof reliability for long wet days and repeated stream crossings. The Merrell Moab 2 Waterproof typically uses Merrell’s M Select DRY membrane paired with leather and mesh. It keeps out rain very well, but it is not quite as robust as Gore-Tex under prolonged immersion.
Rain, stream crossings, and slushy conditions
If you will be stepping through streams, deep puddles, or slush often, the Salomon will keep your feet drier for longer. The Moab 2 handles light to moderate wet conditions and short crossings comfortably, but if water sits in the boot or runs over the collar for long, you may feel dampness sooner.
Warm-weather breathability
Both models will feel warmer than non-waterproof shoes. The Moab 2’s mesh panels and slightly more open construction usually breathe better on hot days. Gore-Tex in the Salomon offers modern breathability but will still trap more heat and moisture than a non-waterproof hiking shoe.
Care and drying tips
When to choose waterproof versus breathable
Choose the Salomon X Ultra 4 for regular wet-weather use, stream-heavy routes, or winter approaches. Choose the Moab 2 if you mostly hike in dry, warm conditions and want a boot that breathes a bit more and costs less while still shedding light rain.
Durability, Weight, and Value: What You Get for the Price
Construction and expected lifespan
The Merrell Moab 2 pairs pigskin leather and mesh with a Vibram outsole and solid sole-to-upper bonding. For regular day hikes, you can expect 500 to 800 trail miles before major wear, depending on terrain and care. The Moab 2’s stitched leather and protective toe cap handle abrasion well.
The Salomon X Ultra 4 uses synthetic uppers with a molded chassis and strong outsole attachment. It is engineered for technical use and often lasts 600 to 900 miles under mixed conditions. Some users report earlier outsole or upper wear under heavy backpacking loads, so monitor high-wear areas.
Seam and sole bonding
Both models use factory stitching and adhesive bonding. The Moab 2’s traditional stitch-and-glue construction is easy to maintain and resoles in some cases. The Salomon’s molded construction reduces water entry points. Neither is immune to sole separation if abused, so clean and dry them after wet use.
Weight and packability
Merrell Moab 2: heavier and chunkier. It packs less easily and adds solid weight to your pack.
Salomon X Ultra 4: lighter and more streamlined. It compresses more easily in a duffel and favors faster miles.
Price, warranty, and long-term value
Choose Moab 2 if you want budget durability. Choose Salomon if you want lighter-weight and higher-performance materials that justify the price for frequent technical use.
Side-by-Side Feature Comparison
Final Verdict: Which Boot Should You Choose
If you want budget comfort and everyday trail ease, pick the Merrell Moab 2 for relaxed hikes and long miles. For demanding, wet, technical terrain, choose the Salomon X Ultra 4 since it is the clear winner for grip, stability, and weather protection.
Which trail will you test them on and share your feedback?