Men's Moab 3 vs Men's Moab 3 Mid Waterproof: which is safer?

Merrell Men's Moab 3 Mid Waterproof is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

Merrell Men's Moab 3

Merrell

Men's Moab 3

PFAS grade

F 20/100

Overall grade

F 0/100

Verdict

Skip

Hazard flags

⚑ 4

Material

Mesh/synthetic leather upper with water-repellent coating-treated footwear

Confidence

45%

LikelyPFAS in water-resistant (water-repellent coating) coating

PossibleSynthetic leather off-gassing (VOCs) and degradation

PossibleRubber midsole and outsole degradation (microplastics)

Our pick

Merrell Men's Moab 3 Mid Waterproof

Merrell

Men's Moab 3 Mid Waterproof

PFAS grade

F 20/100

Overall grade

F 16/100

Verdict

Skip

Hazard flags

⚑ 1

Material

Leather upper, synthetic lining, water-repellent coating-treated waterproof membrane

Confidence

45%

Possiblewater-repellent coating chemistry (PFAS or alternative)

Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →

More waterproof boots: see the full ranking