Keen Voyageur vs Merrell Moab: Which Is The Best?

Keen and Merrell are hiking boot and shoe companies that have gained popularity over the past few years. Although they are two different companies, they produce boots that are very similar to each other. That is why it is difficult to decide which boots are the best.

We have created this Keen Voyageur vs Merrell Moab comparison in order to inform you of the differences between them. We will go over the differences and features, as well as the quality.

Keen Voyageur vs Merrell Moab

Preview
Keen Voyageur
KEEN Men's Voyageur Low Height Breathable Hiking Shoes, Black Olive/Inca Gold, 10.5
Merrell Moab
Merrell Men's Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoe, Walnut, 10.5 M US
Title
KEEN Men's Voyageur Low Height Breathable Hiking Shoes, Black Olive/Inca Gold, 10.5
Merrell Men's Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoe, Walnut, 10.5 M US
Price
$135.00
$89.95
Upper
Water resistant leather and mesh
Leather and mesh upper
Midsole
Dual density compression molded EVA
EVA
Outsole
Non-marking rubber
Vibram® TC5+
Weight
15.6 oz
1lb 15oz
Features
4mm multi directional lugs | Contoured heel lock | Torsion stability ESS shank
Protective rubber toe cap | Molded nylon arch shank | 5mm lug depth
More Information
Keen Voyageur
Preview
KEEN Men's Voyageur Low Height Breathable Hiking Shoes, Black Olive/Inca Gold, 10.5
Title
KEEN Men's Voyageur Low Height Breathable Hiking Shoes, Black Olive/Inca Gold, 10.5
Price
$135.00
Upper
Water resistant leather and mesh
Midsole
Dual density compression molded EVA
Outsole
Non-marking rubber
Weight
15.6 oz
Features
4mm multi directional lugs | Contoured heel lock | Torsion stability ESS shank
More Information
Merrell Moab
Preview
Merrell Men's Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoe, Walnut, 10.5 M US
Title
Merrell Men's Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoe, Walnut, 10.5 M US
Price
$89.95
Upper
Leather and mesh upper
Midsole
EVA
Outsole
Vibram® TC5+
Weight
1lb 15oz
Features
Protective rubber toe cap | Molded nylon arch shank | 5mm lug depth
More Information

What These Boots Are Used For

These boots are used for hiking in rough terrain and around cliffs. The lugs of the bottom of the shoe help create friction against the ground so that you do not slip in wet conditions. The lugs are also good for rocky terrain. In muddy terrain, the lugs will help clear the mud from the outsoles.

Some people purchase these boots to go to and from school or work. These can be used in the city as a means to wear better shoes than average.

What the Voyager and the Moab Have in Common

Both the Voyager and the Moab look very similar, but they do have their differences. We will first go over what they have in common that you can have a better foundation for comparing them.

Merrell Men's Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoe, Walnut, 10.5 M US
Merrell Moab has a breathable mesh lining for comfort
  • Waterproofing: The Voyager is a waterproof shoe. However, the Moab has several different versions, each ranging from very breathable to waterproof. There will be more on the quality of these claims later.
  • Multi-directional lugs: As with any good hiking shoe, the Voyager and the Moab have multi-directional lugs on the outsole. These provide extra grip for when you need friction the most.
  • Leather and mesh upper: In the middle the upper of these boots, there is a mesh. The mesh portion helps with the breathability of these boots.
  • Toe protector: Both of these boots have a toe protector so that you do not hurt your toes while bumping into some rocks. They also act as a guard against the abrasion of the shoe.

Keen Voyageur vs Merrell Moab: Feature Differences

The Voyager and the Moab have a few features that make them different. We will list them all one by one so that you can see the differences.

KEEN Men's Voyageur Trail Shoe, Black Olive/ Inca Gold, 10.5 M US
KEEN Men’s Voyageur offers a huge amount of heel support

Keen Voyageur Features

  • Better waterproofing: The Voyageur has better waterproofing than the waterproof Moab. Part of this might be due to the fact that it has more leather than mesh.
  • Toe protector coverage: Compared to the Moab, the Voyageur has better toe protection. The protector extends further passed the toes, covering a wider area.
  • Contoured heel cup: The Voyageur has a contoured heel cup so that your heel can feel nice and snug. This helps prevent sprained ankles and protects the heel from rock abrasion.
  • Tab on the tongue: To help facilitate the adjustment of the tongue, the Voyageur has a tab at the top of it.

Merrell Moab Features

  • Wide feet: Generally speaking, the Moab fits better than the Voyageur when you have wide foot.
  • Waterproofing: The Moab comes in a ventilator version and a waterproof version. The ventilator version is not meant to be waterproof, and has lots more breathability than than waterproof version. However, it should be noted that the waterproof version of the Moab is not really that waterproof. The Voyageur provides better waterproof than the Moab.

Price Comparison

In order to compare the cheapest prices for the Voyageur and the Moab, please see the links below:

Keen Voyageur vs Merrell Moab: The Verdict

The Keen Voyageur and the Merrell Moab are very similar boots. They both have their advantages depending on what features you are looking for. The Moab is the least waterproof of the two, but it can fit a wider foot better.

The Voyageur seems to be the most feature-rich with its wider toe protector area and its contoured heel cup. They are both of roughly the same quality, so the decision to make between them could be difficult. Which of these foods do you feel the most inclined to wear? Please leave your comments below.

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