I have been using Meindl shoes for many years, they have accompanied me for thousands of kilometers on mountain trails. They were not afraid of the mountains from Świętokrzyskie to Karakorum. So I decided to check how they cope in… easier conditions. I decided to test several pairs of shoes which can be successfully used on daily basis in the city, but also during easier mountain (or forest) hikes. Why several pairs? Ever since my offsprings started walking, I have been trying to actively spend time with my family. That’s why I decided to test how armored mountain Meindls will work during family trips :)
MEINDL LITEROCK
The Literocks turned out to be probably the most universal shoes I have ever worn. From February, for 6 months, I practically didn’t part with them. When I wasn’t walking around the city barefoot, these shoes accompanied me shopping, in the forest or climbing the peaks of Madeira. Apart from business meetings – these are shoes that you can wear almost any time. Nice design and subdued colors make them match both trekking trousers and jeans (those who know me know how important this is to me – but it is true – they fit ;)).
The shoes themselves, as befits Meindl, are made very solidly. They seem durable and I am sure that despite undertaking several attempts to destroy them earlier on increasingly difficult trails, they will survive for a many more years. Compared to, for example, Salomons, which I took with me on my first trip to the Karakorum the difference is enormous.
The shoes are equipped with a Gore-Tex membrane, thanks to which they are characterized by good breathability and water resistance. It’s not waterproof at the level of single-piece leather shoes, but tests in Madeira showed that these shoes cope well with both rain and wet trails along the levadas. The high rubber rim helps protect the foot from getting wet in muddy terrain.
Literocks are not afraid of moisture and mud
MEINDL DURBAN LADY
Here I give the floor to my wife, who used the above-mentioned boots for half a year.
During my trip to Madeira, I tested Meindl Durban Lady. It was a good opportunity to check their endurance on various types of terrain, including rough mountain paths, forests and urban conditions. After the expedition and several weeks of intensive use later, I can confidently say that these shoes met my expectations in every respect.
The first thing that caught my attention was the great quality of workmanship. Meindl Durban Lady shoes are solidly made, their nubuck leather is durable and scratch-resistant. Additionally, they are made with attention to detail, which makes them look elegant both outdoors and in urban conditions.
When it comes to wearing comfort, the Meindl Durban Lady shoes also did not disappoint. After the first wear, I felt that they were comfortable. Even very much. They gave the impression that you could walk in them without socks without fear of blisters. The middle part of the sole is soft, which allows the foot to move naturally, and the cushioning absorbs terrain unevenness well.
I will also mention good ventilation, which keeps the foot dry even during long walks in summer.
Another advantage of the shoes is their versatility. I tested them on various types of surface – from rocky trails in Madeira to muddy paths in Polish forests. Regardless of the conditions, the shoes performed great. TheMeindl Light Travelsole provides good grip and guarantees confident steps on any surface. Moreover, the shoes did not get wet even in moderate rain, which is important in more difficult conditions.
Unfortunately, after putting my legs up to my knees in the stream, they turned out to be wet inside :)
I also had the opportunity to wear them every day in the city, and they worked perfectly in these conditions as well.
One of the elements that convinced me to choose Meindl Durban Lady shoes is their durability. Despite intensive use on various surfaces, the shoes are practically like new. The materials used in production are really solid, which makes these shoes a long-term investment.
MEINDL RESPOND JUNIOR & Meindl TUAM
My observations show that Meindls did the trick in this case as well. The biggest advantage is definitely the comfort of use (and the parent’s comfort ;)). For us, a trip to buy new shoes is usually not limited to one visit in a store and sometimes takes longer than reaching K2. There is always something that doesn’t fit – the color, the tag inside that crushes the foot, the smell, the taste. Well, maybe not the taste, but still… Either way, choosing shoes that can be a torture. While waiting for the package with shoes, Ania and I were biting our nails out of stress. Children’s shoes delivered by courier? This couldn’t work.
Meindls arrived – installed, working with no problems… Nothing hurts, nothing bites – all OK!
And how does it work in practice? More or less like that:
They operated, among others: on trees in the city, on trees in the forest, on hammocks, at blues concerts… Full versality.
SUMMARY
To avoid writing the same thing 3 times, I collected the most important pros and cons of all tested pairs.
PROS:
- Quality of workmanship – Meindl is Meindl, I wonder if they will ever manage to produce poor quality gear. I will test the next ones and let you know 🙂
- Comfort, in the case of those tested, they could be put on straight from the box.
- Design – a matter of taste, but in my opinion they are simply nice (even the children’s ones with eye-catching inserts in shades of yellow/green).
ON MINUS:
- The weak points come down to the price. I would like to be able to buy shoes of this quality for 200 PLN (~€45). But let’s be realistic. German quality has to cost. I prefer to spend 400-900 PLN (€90-200) on shoes that will last for years, instead of buying new ones every year (the record-breaking Vibram Fivefingers lasted a month :))
To sum up – Meindl, as usual, did a great job. The tested shoes, like the models I had previously used, turned out to be a a great choice. Nothing but recommend.
