Meindl Vancouver MFS

What's It For?

The Vancouver is a tough three-season mountain walking boot intended intended for use below the snowline as general walking, backpacking and trekking boot. We'd also happily fit it with an appropriate flexible crampon for short periods of time if necessary.

The Techy Bits

The Vancouver uses Meindl's MFS, Memory Foam System, which means it has memory foam padding around the cuff and ankle area. Memory foam is clever stuff which moulds precisely to the contours of your foot giving a supportive fit with instant comfort.

You can tell memory foam because it will retain the imprint of your thumb for a second or two before slowly returning to its natural shape.

Other features on the Vancouver include the DIGAfix lacing system which holds the heel back in place inside the boot making it less likely to slip on uphill sections and keeping things stable.

The Multigriff 2SR sole unit is made specially for Meindl by Vibram and as you can see, exposes the cushioning material in the heel unit for a techy sort of look.

How They Performed

Meindl has a well-earned reputation for producing top quality walking boots and the Vancouver does nothing to dent that. Meindl suggests that you first put the boots on and wear them for around five minutes, then retighten the laces once the memory foam has been softened by heat and moulded to the shape of your feet.

That worked for us - no issues with the lacing system - and we found the Vancouvers exceptionally comfortable straight out of the box with a medium broad, UK-friendly fit. At just over 1600 grammes, these are sturdy rather than lightweight boots, with a reassuringly solid feel. They do still have good longitudinal flex making them comfortable for walking,  but lateral stiffness is great and it's easy to stand on small, pointy rocks without feeling them or having the sole collapse under your foot.

Cushioning underfoot is decent too and our heels stayed well and truly planted even on steep climbs, partly - we think - because of the anchoring affect of the DIGAfix lacing system. Vibram soles gave good grip on all surfaces we walked on from damp rock through to softer, grassy terrain.

We can't really comment on durability yet, but the boots feel solid, and toe and heel protective areas are reassuring on scree and rough ground. Finally a Gore-Tex liner keeps water at bay.

Initial Verdict

Comfortable, supportive three-season walking boots that give a great balance between longitudinal flex and lateral support and are well up to coping with rocky terrain, where the Vibram sole unit gives reassuring grip and the boot feels very stable. The lasting seems to suit medium-broad British feet well and the memory foam padding gives instant comfort.

They're not super light and if you're used to featherweight footwear, you may find the Vancouver a little clumpy at first, but the pay-off is solidness underfoot and - hopefully - durability.

Buy if you want a well-engineered, solid and comfortable three-season boot and don't balk at the price tag. Oh, and if they fit your feet of course. It's essential to try boots before buying.