Camping and hiking season is in full swing and you need a shoe that works as well on the campground as it does on the trail. Enter the Merrell Hydro Moc – the hybrid water shoe you never knew you needed. The injected EVA shoe might remind you of Crocs, but Crocs don’t hold a candle to these bad boys. Merrell says the Hydro Moc is versatile, supportive, and specifically designed for trails that take you in and out of the water.
I put them to the ultimate test on a weekend hike to Oregon’s Tamanawas Falls to see how they hold up under the pressure of my wide feet.
The Merrell Hydro Moc is formed from a single-density injected EVA contoured arch with an articulated heel and strap for additional support. To be honest, when I first picked these shoes up, I didn’t have much faith that they would offer support while hiking. Lucky for my feet, I was wrong.
The Hydro Moc was responsive – staying in place while offering comfort, even as we crossed rockier terrain. As I’ve gotten older, my feet have made it clear that they prefer comfortable shoes, especially when walking longer distances. While they weren’t quite as supportive as my hardcore hiking boots, I was never uncomfortable during the hike. There were a few places along the trail where we had to do a bit of climbing. The Hydro Moc got the job done.
My 4E foot fit perfectly into the shoe, without any discomfort.
If you’ve got a wide foot, you know how difficult it is to find a shoe that fits. While the Merrell Hydro Moc is not available in wider widths, it is made with a wider footbed for more stability and ease of putting on or taking off. My 4E foot fit perfectly into the shoe, without any discomfort. There was a slight bit of space at the toe, but not enough to cause any problems.
As mentioned, the shoe was responsive and I didn’t find myself tripping over my own feet as I navigated the terrain on the hike. Merrell recommends you order a size down because the Hydro Moc is roomy, but if you have a wide foot, order whatever size you’d normally order in an M width shoe.
I got a few comments on the hike from people who were amazed I was wearing Crocs as I made my way to the waterfall. I patiently explained that this was the Hydro Moc from Merrell, and that it was made for this. I walked over pointy rocks, branches, and even traversed a rockslide on the hike, and while you could slightly feel those things underfoot, they didn’t cause pain or annoyance. Of course, the shoes handled water without a problem. I had to dip my feet into the stream at the bottom of the falls, and the holes in the Hydro Moc allowed a lot of that water to drain right out. Just remove the shoes, shake them out, and then you’re on your way again.
Most of the time, I wear my Hydro Mocs when I’m hanging out in the backyard or running errands. That said, it’s good to know that these shoes can take on pretty much anything you throw at them. The Merrell Hydro Moc is available for $50 in 10 different colors with sizes to 15. Get a pair for yourself here.
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