What makes a good hiking shoe?

It's the start of the 2016 hiking season, and we're celebrating with our favorite hiking shoe--the Merrell Moab. So what's in a good hiking shoe? We'll tell you all about it and how the Moab measures up below.

What to Look for in a pair of hiking shoes:

1. Breathability: You want a pair of shoes that you can spend a lot time in without overheating or creating a swampy, sweaty and uncomfortable environment for your feet--especially in the summer.
2. Water Protection: Depending on where you're hiking, you can encounter wetlands, mud, or various bodies of water. Water-resistant or waterproof hiking shoes are great for tackling wet terrain and won't hold you back if it rains.
3. Long-lasting comfort - Make sure that your hiking shoes are comfortable not just when you put them on, but also at the end of your hike.
4. Rugged outsole - you want an outsole that is going to hold grip in uneven terrain. Skip the road running shoes and look for something with a lugged outsole.

Features of the Merrell Moab Hiking Shoe:

1. Great breathability thanks to uppers with just enough mesh to get air to your feet.

2. Depending on the style, the Merrell Moab series can have a combination of water-resistant or waterproof technologies, including: waterproof leather or synthetic material on the uppers, a GORE-TEX® waterproof membrane, or Merrell M Select™ DRY technology.

3. An air cushion in the heel, CMEVA cushion footframe, and odor control technologies offer long-lasting comfort on your hike.

4. A rugged, durable Vibram outsole has 5mm lugs and is ready to tackle tough terrain.