The Meindl Ontario Lady GTX hiking shoe is designed to be a shoe that works well out on the trail but also in an urban environment and it does just what it says on the tin. Looks-wise, they are pretty low key, a sort of blend of the styling of technical approach shoes and a traditional hiking shoe, and it works, making them perfectly useable with jeans for about town use as well as out and out off-road wear.
Lara Dunn Recommends
It’s a well-made, comfortable and practical shoe for a wide variety of uses, and it looks pretty good on and off the trail, so it’s easy to justify the price tag, given cost per wear.- Lightweight
- Supportive
- Versatile
- Relatively shallow outsole grip
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: £179.99 Weight: 648g (for size UK6) Materials: Suede and mesh upper, Gore-Tex lining, Air-Active footbed, Meindl Magic Active sole Features: Variofix lacing system for superior hold around ankles Sizes: UK3.5-UK9 (including half sizes)/EU36-43 Women’s/Men’s Version: Women’s (men’s direct equivalent available) www.meindl.co.uk |
Using a mix of suede and fabric mesh for the upper, coupled with a Gore-Tex equipped lining, they have a decent level of waterproofing but are breathable enough for year-round use. There’s a good level of support from the upper and it contours nicely around the foot. The Variofix lacing at the rear of the shoe cinches it in nicely around the ankle but if you have a particularly slim forefoot, the overall fit may feel a little generous. I’ve been enjoying the balance of torsional support with flexibility, and have been finding it perfect for a variety of terrain – not too heavy or bulky, yet reassuringly solid. The outsole is pretty grippy on most surfaces but the lugs are not as aggressive as some, meaning traction isn’t quite as good as soles with a deeper tread, making it best suited to drier conditions underfoot and reasonably defined trails. The outsole works a treat in town too, as intended.
The Meindl Ontario Lady GTX is a well-made, comfortable and practical shoe for a wide variety of uses, and it looks pretty good on and off the trail, so it’s easy to justify the price tag, given cost per wear. It’s also easy to look after and takes well to re-proofing treatments.
Written and tested by Lara Dunn
Lara usually takes a size UK5.5/6 or EU38.5/39 depending on fit/shape/purpose of footwear. She does find that heel lift can often be a problem due to particularly narrow heels. This shoe was mostly tested on short and longer day walks in the Malvern Hills during an unusually wet autumn and winter, with additional forays to the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains, with and without a rucksack.
