Merrell Duskair Moc

Very lightweight camp shoe gives your feet a break after a long trail day. Perfect for wearing to and from the trail. Easily packable.

If you are like me, after a long day on the trail you just have to get those hiking boots off and give your feet a break. That's where the Merrell Duskair Moc comes in. These moccasin style shoes pair a molded rubber sole with an upper made of lightweight canvas. Slipping your feet into the Duskair Moc is close to being barefoot, but with protection. A slight arch gives you a bit of support to go along with the cushiony insole. 

Testing of the Merrell Duskair Moc took place over this past summer and fall on a variety of backpacking trips in the Sierra and Europe. Weighing in at a bit over 7 ounces for a size 9 shoe, they fit the bill for a bring-along camp shoe.

For packing, the canvas upper flattens down completely so the shoes are no larger than a pair of flip-flops. I usually just stick them in an expanded mesh pocket on my REI backpack. The fit was right on for a size 9 and they are super comfortable. The canvas uppers breathe quite well and the shoes are equally comfortable with or without socks. 

On a trip around Mont Blanc in Europe, the Duskair Mocs came in very handy for wearing to dinner in an assortment of hotels and huts, since they forbid the wearing of hiking boots inside the building. Having my own comfortable shoes was definitely preferred to wearing sandals or slippers that have been on hundreds of feet.

While the mocs don't have any lateral support I suppose in a pinch you could hike in them if you had a boot breakdown. One feature which is pretty neat is the soles are carved with an outdoor scene so they leave a picture with every step in camp.

Product details:

• Size: 7-14
• Color: Black, Blue, Olive, Grey
• Cost: $80