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On test: Meindl Portland Lady XCR |
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Written by Rosie
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Tuesday, 21 June 2011 11:24 |
 How irritating – I appear to have expensive taste. Of all the hiking shoes I’ve tried, since I’ve worked at Adventure Travel not just for this test, the Meindl Portland XCRs (I refuse to include the word ‘lady’) are my favourites. I’m usually a size 6.5 but the pair that fit me are a 7 and they’re incredibly comfy. And they excel in most other areas too. The sole unit’s made from Meindl’s own technology, called Contragrip Trail, and I felt safe doing everything from scrambling up and down scree hills in Morocco to walking in to Peak District climbs over loose rocks. Meindl’s blurb about the shoe suggests that they’re only designed to be used on good paths, but I’d feel confident using them off-piste.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 June 2011 11:40 |
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On test: Zamberlan 145 Zenith GT RR |
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Written by Rosie
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Tuesday, 21 June 2011 11:14 |
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 The Zamberlan Zenith was for me a reminder of how important a shoe’s fit is – it began to give me a blister on the heel after a just a two-mile walk. Obviously this won’t be the same for everyone, but for me my foot didn’t sit firmly enough in the heel for it not to rub, despite the shoe having what Zamberlan describes as side traction webbing to lock the heel in place.
If it fits you though, this is a good, solid hiking shoe from the Italian footwear specialist. It has a Vibram sole that offers good grip, hefty extra protection at the toe from the rubber rand and laces that do up a bit like those on a hiking boot, via a metal clip at the end. It’s Gore-Tez lined, making it fully waterproof, and the upper is made of the company’s Hydrobloc Split Leather, interspersed with meshing for added ventilation.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 June 2011 11:37 |
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On test: Merrell Siren Sport GTX |
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Written by Rosie
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Tuesday, 21 June 2011 11:03 |
 The thing that’ll grab you instantly about the Merrell Siren is its light weight – at 326g in a size 6.5 it’s over 100g lighter than some of the others on test, which is really noticeable when you’re wearing the shoe, packing it or carrying it on a harness for a walk off a climb, for example. The light weight comes from sacrificing some elements of protection, so you need to work out what you’re planning to use the shoe for. If it’s for scrambling or hiking over more difficult terrain I wouldn’t feel happy wearing it as it comes slightly lower down the ankle than most hiking shoes – not much, but enough to make me worry about rolling my ankle.
The sole is also quite flexible, and it doesn’t offer much support on the top of the foot either – the tongue’s so big it’s hard to make the laces stay on it. But for flatter hiking, especially in warmer climates, the Siren Sport GTX would be a Godsend. The upper’s mostly made from mesh, to keep the weight down and so it’s extra breathable, but it’s Gore-Tex lined so it’s waterproof; there’s good extra protection on the toe too.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 June 2011 11:13 |
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On test: Berghaus Cuesta II |
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Written by Rosie
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Tuesday, 21 June 2011 10:49 |
 This interesting-looking shoe is the most technical we have on test – Berghaus suggests it can be used for scrambling and easy bouldering, and I’d definitely add via ferrata-ing to that list too. Its sole is very rigid, and the toe is so solid it doesn’t hurt if you jam it on to a rock. The Cuesta II is similar to a climbing shoe in its looks, because of its lacing and the low rand backed up by protective rubber on the heel and toe, designed to give better fit and extra protection. For me the shoe’s appearance took a bit of getting used to, but now I like it as something a bit different from the norm (don’t all the others on test look the same?) – especially as the test one is cream with pink laces, far nicer than the one pictured.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 June 2011 11:11 |
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Gear 
Footwear specialist Brasher has launched a new multi-activity shoe called the Kuga GTX and it’s been doing the job superbly in all this warm yet wet weather.