The Himalaya is a serious mountain walking boot, with a very stiff sole and deep cleats in the heel designed for crampon use. German brand Meindl are known for their excellent and consistent build quality. With a very wide rand to protect the Nubuck leather uppers, very few seams and a particularly stiff sole, there’s no doubt these are a solid proposition for winter walking.
The lacing system is excellent. The fit is slightly shorter than the others here, and also quite snug. Also immediately noticeable is how high you feel; there’s a thick midsole and deep winter lugs on the outsole – good for kicking in snow. They are also pretty heavy and overall do feel cumbersome. That said, there’s a nice roll when walking, and no pressure points, largely thanks to the use of memory foam (the MFS in the name) so they are perfectly comfortable.
They’re the kind of walking boot you pull on, make some guttural exclamation and feel as though you can climb anything. They are good, solid and no doubt durable winter boots, but I wouldn’t wear them all year round.
First published: Jan 2014
