The Merrell Jungle Moc is a men’s slip-on casual shoe weighing just about 1 lb. 9 oz. (roughly 708 grams). While it’s a bit heavier than other casual shoes with mesh uppers, it remains a very comfortable slip-on. It’smade of 100% Suede leather for that which provides excellent durability and protection overall.
It also has a durable rubber sole for added protection on the heel area. However, there’s no specific information regarding its heel-to-toe ratio.
Arch Support
The Jungle Moc is designed to providing a high level of support and stability while also looking fun and casual. And for those with pronation issues, this Merrell shoe has a bit of arch support to help control your gait.
It offers excellent arch support, particularly in the midfoot area where the arch is semi-rigid. It does get a bit more flexible throughout the rest of the insert, however, but that doesn’t seem to affect the shoe’s stability.
The insole is fully removable, so you can replace it with your own custom orthotic if you have something that is a bit more cushioned, less arch support or whatever you need. And since the stock orthotic is relatively thin, you’ll want to make sure to keep your replacement orthotic similar so that you don’t lose space in the shoe.
Meanwhile, the Jungle Moc’s midsole is made of EVA foam to serve as a cushioning system, and provides excellent shock-absorbing capability. On top of that, these Merrells come with their M Select EVA footbed for additional padding and comfort.
Heel and Ankle Support
The Jungle Moc is fitted with Merrell’s proprietary Air Cushion technology that is placed in the heel area. This serves to further enhance the stability and comfort it provides. On top of that, the air cushion also comes with a shock-absorbing capability that reduces the impact brought about by heel strikes. This keeps the heel cup moderately cushoined, which should help reduce stress you receive on your foot with each step.
As a result, this shoe provides a good amount of heel comfort and ankle stability, even when walking for long distances or standing for long periods of time. Apart from that, it also offers a decent energy return which is quite helpful to give you that extra push you need when walking.
In terms of ankle support, the Jungle Moc offers a good amount of support as it wraps up around the top of the foot securely, as well as around the collar area. However, the shoe may be a bit tight in the ankle area for some, which may be a problem for those with thicker ankles.
Meanwhile, the shoe’s outsole is made of Merrell’s M Select Grip material for that superior durability and traction. As you can see, the 3mm rubber lugs help enhance the shoe’s traction, which provide plenty of additional support on any variety of terrains. It also makes this shoe useful in many types of weather conditions, though it may get slippery in too much water, depending on the surface.
In fact, some may even use the shoe for light trail hiking, despite having a suede upper. The abundance of lugs on the outsole really are an attractive feature, as they offer support from front to back and on the sides as well. There is maximum coverage of rubber lug support here.
Overall Shoe Feel
At 708 grams, the Jungle Moc is definitely a heavier shoe than your standard walking or casual shoe. But with the suede upper, you get that nice casual look to go along with a shoe that really grips your foot well. The elastic tongue cover hugs your foot and makes this shoe feel extremely secure, and if you get the sizing correct, this is one very comfortable shoe!
The toe box is fairly comfortable as well, as it doesn’t hug your feet like the elastic portion. The toe area is more of a fixed construction, so your feet have a bit of play, especially if you have narrow feet. But wide feet may not be a problem since there is plenty of room. In any case, there are wide sizing options available, so you can simply pre-order for your foot shape.
The one area of concern outside of the weight would be the breathability issue. With a thicker suede upper, you don’t get much air passing through. In cooler conditions this isn’t even a problem as it actually appears as a benefit, but for summer you may need to wear lighter socks to prevent sweating after awhile. But, it does come with an anti-bacterial lining which should help with odor control.
In the end, there doesn’t seem to be a break in period at all. They feel good right out of the box, and the soft suede upper is really quite smooth and satisfying.
Use
The Jungle Moc is a great looking shoe and is designed as a mens casual shoe. It can also be used for work and for dressing up a bit as it looks clean and has many different style options to choose. But as far as getting them on, it’s quite easy and convenient, which means you can also just slip them on any time you need to roun out and about for some errands. This shoe is pretty multi-functional in that sense.
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Online User Reviews Overall Experience
- Excellent comfort and convenience
One of the most common reviews left by customers is about the shoe’s overall comfort factor. According to most, the Jungle Moc is not just a good looking shoe, but can also be worn for several hours at a time without causing discomfort. And the slip-on factor makes this shoe even that much more convenient for them.
- Durable and heavy-duty
Thanks to its Suede leather material and a durable rubber outsole, most customers seem to feel that these shoes will last a long time. Unlike shoes with a cheap mesh material that tends to rip and tear at the seams, this shoe doesn’t have that problem and it shows in the reviews.
- Not great in water
Although many reviewers feel like these Jungle Mocs are fairly water resistant, just as many are apprehensive about getting them wet due to the leather upper potentially ruining. Some also mention that water seeps in through the leather/outsole when they step in water puddles, so you’ll need to be sure to keep them away from too much water or your feet may get soggy – which is true with most shoes anyway.
Pros:
- Easy to wear, thanks to its slip-on design
- Provides superior stability, comfort, and cushioning
- Can be used for heavy-duty activities
- Very durable and can last for a very long time despite continuous usage
- Great arch support insole makes this a good shoe for plantar fasciitis
Cons:
- A bit heavier than most other walking or casual shoes
- Not quite as breathable as other shoes
- Ankle area may be too tight if you order the wrong size
- May not fit true to size for some
- Might get a bit warm and sweaty after hours of use