Merrell vs Skechers Walking Shoes After 50: Uneven Ground or Easy Slip-On?

Comparing Merrell vs Skechers walking shoes as an adult over 50? They solve different problems. Merrell is an outdoor brand best known for lugged hiking shoes such as the Moab 3 and the slip-on Jungle Moc. Skechers is a mainstream walking brand best known for Hands Free Slip-ins you can step into. One Senior Forums member summed up a common pattern: Skechers for indoor errands and even surfaces, Merrell for outdoor walking on uneven ground (Senior Forums thread). This page compares the two by walking surface, easy entry, widths, and waterproof options, then gives you a free 4-tap Walking Surface Brand Match you can copy or share. It is a shopping guide, not medical advice, and there is no single winner.

Facts here come from each brand’s US product pages and FAQ (checked 17 October 2026) and our own Skechers guide. For Merrell models, widths, and sizing tips, see our full Merrell brand guide, or the official Merrell website (opens in a new tab; we are not affiliated). Not sure what type of shoe you need? Take the free Shoe Type Finder (about 2 minutes) or browse all free tools.

Quick comparison

Skechers does not publish weight, heel-to-toe drop, or stack height for these models, so this is a features comparison, not a numbers shoot-out. Models and width menus change, so re-check the current product page before you buy.

Sources: Merrell and Skechers US product pages and Merrell FAQ, checked 17 October 2026; Shoes 50+ Skechers guide. Re-verify current models and widths on each official site before you buy.

Topic	Merrell (Moab 3 / Jungle Moc)	Skechers (Oak Canyon / Hillcrest / GO WALK 8)
Overall character	Outdoor and hiking brand. Moab 3 is a lugged, closed-toe hiking shoe; Jungle Moc is a suede slip-on for town and travel.	Mainstream walking brand. Slip-ins styles such as GO WALK 8, Oak Canyon, and Hillcrest focus on easy entry and soft comfort.
Typical walking surface	Trails, gravel, grass, and park paths (Moab 3). Jungle Moc for everyday town walking.	Pavement, malls, errands, and travel (GO WALK 8). Oak Canyon and Hillcrest add outdoor traction outsoles for light outdoor use.
Easy on and off	Jungle Moc has double stretch gores "for a slip-on-and-off convenience" (Merrell), but you still use your hands. Women’s Moab 3 Ready Zip has a side zipper (Medium only when we checked). Moab 3 is lace-up.	Hands Free Slip-ins with a Heel Pillow on all three models here. Oak Canyon and GO WALK 8 also have adjustable laces; Hillcrest has twin gore panels.
Widths	Moab 3 and Jungle Moc in Medium and Wide (Wide is a separate style number). We found no Extra Wide on Merrell’s US site.	Oak Canyon (men’s) and GO WALK 8 – Enrikay (men’s): Medium and Extra Wide. Hillcrest – Sunapee (women’s): Medium and Wide.
Waterproof options	Moab 3 Waterproof and Moab 3 GORE-TEX, both also in Wide. Base Moab 3 and Jungle Moc are not waterproof.	The three models here are not described as waterproof. Skechers lists a separate waterproof Oak Canyon version; check its page if you need it.
Outsole	Moab 3: Vibram TC5+ rubber with 5mm lugs. Jungle Moc: sticky rubber outsole.	Oak Canyon: durable traction outsole. Hillcrest: outdoor trail traction outsole. GO WALK 8: dual-density traction outsole. No lug depth published.
Upper	Moab 3: pig suede leather and mesh. Jungle Moc: pig suede.	Oak Canyon: suede, synthetic, and mesh. Hillcrest: suede and mesh. GO WALK 8: engineered mesh and machine washable (per Skechers).
Sizing guidance	Merrell’s FAQ says its products "tend to fit true to size." It also says width exchanges are not available, so check the current policy before ordering.	Skechers’ width tip: if you don’t normally shop for narrow or wide shoes, select Medium. Oak Canyon is Relaxed Fit, described as roomy at the toe and forefoot.

Free Walking Surface Brand Match

Answer four quick questions to get a short plan: which brand to try first, which models to compare side by side, and a width and weather tip. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere. Copy your plan for your next shoe shop or share it with a walking friend.

Who often leans Merrell

Adults over 50 often shortlist Merrell when they want:

• Grip on uneven ground — Moab 3 has a Vibram TC5+ outsole with 5mm lugs (per Merrell), for trails, gravel, and park paths.
• A waterproof option in Wide — Moab 3 Waterproof and Moab 3 GORE-TEX come in Medium and Wide for men and women.
• A slip-on that isn’t a sneaker — Jungle Moc is a suede slip-on with stretch gores and a removable footbed. You still use your hands to pull it on.
• A side zip instead of laces — Women’s Moab 3 Ready Zip has a side zipper (Medium only when we checked).

Things to know: Merrell offers Wide on many core models but we found no Extra Wide. Moab 3 is heavier and stiffer than a road walking shoe, and some lighter Merrell options exist for pavement days. Confirm current widths on the official Merrell website (opens in a new tab; we are not affiliated).

Who often leans Skechers

Adults over 50 often shortlist Skechers when they want:

• Hands-free entry — Slip-ins let you step in, with a Heel Pillow to help hold the heel (per Skechers).
• Extra Wide on some models — Oak Canyon and GO WALK 8 – Enrikay (men’s) list Medium and Extra Wide; Hillcrest – Sunapee (women’s) lists Medium and Wide.
• Easy everyday walking — GO WALK 8 is a mesh walking shoe for pavement, errands, and travel, and Skechers says it is machine washable.
• A softer, roomier feel — Oak Canyon is Relaxed Fit, which Skechers describes as roomy at the toe and forefoot.

Things to know: our Skechers guide notes that some Slip-ins feel soft rather than locked down, and walkers who want more structure often look at other brands. Comparing slip-ons only? See Orthofeet vs Skechers slip-on walking shoes. Confirm current widths on the official Skechers website (opens in a new tab; we are not affiliated).

What 50+ walkers say about Merrell and Skechers

These are individual opinions from public forums, not our tests. They help explain why people end up owning both brands.

• On Gransnet, one member wrote: "Sketchers are like slippers. They are comfy but don’t offer my feet any support." (Gransnet thread). Others in similar threads love Skechers for easy daily comfort.
• On Early-Retirement.org, one poster advised: "No slip-ons is primary my advice. You don’t want your feet sliding when walking any distance." (Early-Retirement.org thread). If you choose a slip-on, check that your heel stays put on a test walk.
• Some Reddit posters say the Moab 3 feels snugger than the Moab 2, especially the waterproof version. Merrell itself says its shoes "tend to fit true to size," so treat this as one more reason to try before you commit.

Sizing and width tips for 50+ feet

• Width first, then size — If shoes pinch across the ball of your foot, a Wide version usually beats going up a half size. The Half Size vs Wide Check walks you through it.
• Don’t compare width letters across brands — Each brand sizes its own way. Try the actual shoe.
• Check exchange rules — Merrell’s FAQ says width exchanges are not available. Check the current return and exchange policy of wherever you buy.
• Re-check fit on every new pair — Even the same model can feel different after an update, so walk-test each new pair.
• Need the widest options? — The Wide Shoe Finder and walking shoes for wide feet guide cover brands with Extra Wide.

How to compare them in one store visit or one online order

1. Match the job — Trail and park walks: Moab 3 vs Oak Canyon or Hillcrest. Errands and pavement: Jungle Moc vs GO WALK 8. Compare like with like.
2. Shop later in the day — Wear the socks you walk in. Feet are often a little fuller in the afternoon.
3. Test the heel — Walk, turn, and take a step or two. In a slip-on, your heel should not lift out.
4. Try a slope or curb — Notice whether each shoe feels steady and grippy where you actually walk.
5. Check returns before you buy online — Order from a seller with an easy return window. Shoes 50+ does not sell shoes.

After a test walk, the free Shoe Fit Checker helps you decide what to change next if you notice hot spots, heel slip, or pressure across the top. When soles look worn, the Shoe Replacement Checker helps you decide when to replace them.

Related tools and guides

• Skechers brand guide — Slip-ins, GO WALK, Arch Fit, and widths.
• Orthofeet vs Skechers slip-on walking shoes — Two easy-entry brands side by side.
• Hands-free slip-on walking shoes — What to look for in step-in shoes.
• Sidewalk walking shoes with good grip — Traction for everyday routes.
• Travel walking shoes — Long sightseeing days on mixed surfaces.
• Walking shoes hub · Brands index · All free tools

Official sites (new tab; we are not affiliated): Merrell · Skechers.

FAQ

Is Merrell or Skechers better for walking after 50?

There is no single winner. Many adults over 50 pick Merrell for trails, gravel, and wet or uneven ground, and Skechers for pavement, errands, and hands-free entry. Plenty of people own one of each. Choose by where you walk most and how you like to put shoes on, then let a test walk decide.

Does the Merrell Moab 3 run small?

Merrell’s FAQ says its products tend to fit true to size. Some Reddit posters say the Moab 3 feels snugger than the Moab 2, especially in the waterproof version. If you are between sizes or have wider feet, try the Wide version and walk-test before you commit.

Are Merrell Jungle Mocs hands-free like Skechers Slip-ins?

No. Jungle Moc is a slip-on with double stretch gores, but you still use your hands to pull it on. Skechers Slip-ins are designed so you can step in hands-free, with a Heel Pillow to help hold the heel.

Which has wider sizes, Merrell or Skechers?

Merrell offers Wide on many core models, including Moab 3 and Jungle Moc, but we found no Extra Wide on its US site. Skechers lists Extra Wide on some models, such as Oak Canyon and GO WALK 8 – Enrikay (men’s). Width menus change by model, gender, and color, so check the current product page.

Health note: General footwear information only, not medical advice. Shoes 50+ does not diagnose or treat foot conditions. If you have foot pain, balance concerns, numbness, swelling, diabetes, or circulation concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional, such as your doctor or a podiatrist, before relying on any shoe change.