Merrell Jungle Moc 2 Review (2026): The Slip-On That Actually Hikes
The Merrell Jungle Moc 2 is a laceless hiking shoe built on a premise most slip-ons fail to deliver: that you can remove laces and still have a shoe capable of light trail use and extended all-day wear. Most slip-ons lose too much in rearfoot security or outsole grip to be considered trail-capable. The Jungle Moc 2 manages the balance better than anything else in the category.
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At a glance
| Spec | Jungle Moc 2 |
|---|---|
| Weight | 318g (men's US 10) |
| Heel drop | 8mm |
| Heel stack | 24mm |
| Midsole | Merrell air cushion in heel + EVA foam |
| Upper | Nubuck leather with stretch mesh accents |
| Outsole | Merrell Grip rubber, multi-directional lugs |
| CoreScore | 82/100 · 88/100 value |
| MSRP | $85 |
The case for a slip-on trail shoe
Slip-ons trade precision fit for convenience. The usual performance tax is high: poor rearfoot retention, flat rubber outsoles with insufficient lug structure, and foam midsoles that compress quickly. The Jungle Moc 2 avoids the most critical of these trade-offs through two design choices: a reinforced elastic heel panel and Merrell Grip rubber on the outsole.
Traction
The Merrell Grip rubber compound with multi-directional lugs delivers an outsole grip score of 82/100 — strong for a casual slip-on. On packed dirt, gravel paths, wet stone, and light trail surfaces, it provides reliable bite. The lug depth is moderate, which means it handles everything short of deep mud without major performance drop-off.
This is meaningfully better than the flat rubber of fashion slip-ons that disintegrate on anything damp. For the terrain the Jungle Moc 2 targets — maintained day trails, urban use, travel — the grip is genuinely adequate.
Midsole and comfort
The 8mm heel drop places the Jungle Moc 2 in the mid-range alongside most trail shoes. The midsole combines an EVA foam base with Merrell's air cushion unit in the heel, providing a comfortable rather than performance ride. Midsole hardness at 36 HC is medium-firm — firm enough to support on uneven ground, not so soft it collapses over long days.
At 318g, it is lighter than most hiking shoes of equivalent capability. The combination of light weight and 8mm drop makes it less fatigue-inducing for all-day wear than many dedicated trail shoes.
Heel retention without laces
The elastic heel panel is Merrell's key engineering choice on the Jungle Moc 2. Rather than relying purely on the upper to hold the heel, the elastic contracts around the rearfoot after entry. In testing, heel slip on flat terrain is minimal. On moderate inclines it increases, and on steep or sustained descents there is more movement than a laced shoe — a physical limitation of the slip-on format, not a failure of execution. For the majority of everyday use and light trail work, the retention is sufficient.
The removable M-Select FRESH insole provides odour control — useful for a shoe worn without socks on travel days.
Fit
The toebox measures 102mm — roomy, accommodating most foot shapes without pressure. The nubuck leather upper does not stretch but the elastic gore panels compensate, allowing easy on-and-off. Sizing runs true.
Who should buy the Merrell Jungle Moc 2?
Best for: Travel shoes where you need terrain capability without lace management. Day hiking on maintained trails. All-day standing wear — healthcare, retail, teaching — where real outsole grip matters. Everyday wear with occasional light trail use.
Not ideal for: Technical hiking or scrambling routes. Sustained steep descents where laced lockdown is important. Runners — the shoe is not designed for running loads.
Verdict
The Merrell Jungle Moc 2 scores 82/100 in SoleHunt's data-driven evaluation, the top score in the slip-on hiking category. At $85, the 88/100 value score reflects a shoe that delivers real trail capability in a format most slip-ons cannot match. If you want terrain-capable convenience, this is the answer.