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Since its debut a handful of years ago, the Merrell Moab 2 has ascended to the top of hiking boot Mt. Olympus—along with, y’know, countless other actual mountains. In the past, we’ve called it one of the best values on the market and named it one of the best boots around, period. It’s easy to see why. (“Moab”, after all, is an acronym for Mother of All Boots.) Its strategically-placed panels will keep your feet cool, its Gore-Tex exterior will keep ‘em dry, and its clingy Vibram soles will help you soldier through all manner of terrains with ease. It doesn’t hurt that the lovable, gorp-inflected design looks just as good with zip-off pants and an anorak as it does with baggy jeans and a statement sweater.
But all good things must come to an end—or, in menswear at least, must be usurped by a more advanced model. With the recent introduction of the Moab 3, the brand is now officially shipping off the 2 to greener pastures, slowly phasing out production of the beloved trail titan in favor of the newer silhouette. What does that mean, exactly? Aesthetically, not much (a good thing). Functionally, it means better arch support, a softer midsole, and an even grippier Vibram outsole (also good things). The latest Moab is more earth-friendly than its predecessor, too; it’s partially made with recycled materials. In other words, wins all-around!
Sadly, this seems to spell the end of the Moab 2. But before you go crying into your Arc’teryx, there is a silver lining: the ultra-durable hiking shoe is now on sale for some of the lowest prices we’ve ever seen. We’re not sure how much longer the second generation will stick around (ditto the deals), but our advice is to make haste. Whether you’re a diehard Moab 2 stan or a budding gorp guru, right now may be your last chance to snag a pair of one of the greatest trail-ready shoes ever, discount notwithstanding. Pop over to Merrell’s site and you can buy a pair for 30% off, or head over to Amazon to score an even bigger discount. Adventure—and massive savings—are out there!