Merrell Women's Moab 3 Mid Wp Hiking Boot, Bungee Cord 1, 8

Why it's worth it

The Moab 3 Mid is the boot most people picture when they picture a hiking boot: suede and mesh, waterproof, a Vibram sole, and almost no break-in. It's the safest first hiking boot you can buy.

The Moab line has sold over 25 million pairs worldwide since 2009, which makes it the best-selling hiking boot family in North America, according to Wolverine World Wide's annual report. That popularity isn't an accident. It's a middle-of-the-road boot in the best sense — moderately cushioned, moderately supportive, wide enough for most feet, and comfortable from the first wearing.

Out-of-box comfort is the real selling point here. Owners routinely take these straight from the box onto multi-day trips in Iceland and Scotland without a break-in period, which you cannot say about traditional leather boots. Merrell's Air Cushion heel and Super Rebound Compound midsole soak up the pounding on hard-packed trail. If your last boots gave you heel blisters, this is the obvious next try.

From our review of 8 hiking boots and trail shoes, by Genevieve Dubois, Home & Living Expert

What we like

• +The Moab line has sold over 25 million pairs worldwide since 2009, which makes it the best-selling hiking boot family in North…
• +Out-of-box comfort is the real selling point here
• +The Vibram TC5+ outsole is a Merrell-exclusive compound, and it does the job on dirt, wet rock and gravel
• +For a first hiking boot, this is the low-risk choice

What to know

• –It runs small. This comes up over and over in owner feedback — a half size up is the common fix, and some people go a full size
• –Durability is the honest limitation