MERU and MAKALU: shoes that have crossed the world
Not long ago, we agreed with our tester, climber and adventurer Honzo Špiček on an important task - testing shoes from our new collection. Together with his wife Alča, they live in Peru and test Northfinder shoes on treks and expeditions in the Peruvian Andes. This time we sent them low hiking shoes MERU and low approach MAKALU. How did the days full of beautiful views in the Peruvian Andes and in Colombia turn out? And did our shoes handle such terrain? We bring you an authentic review by Honz himself.
Men's low hiking shoes Vibram® XS Trek Evo MERU
Low cut outdoor shoes designed for hiking from light to technical.
Testing and personal experience:
MERU shoes are mainly intended for light and medium hiking. However, I also used them for demanding hikes in the mountains with a backpack of more than 30 kg over several days. Personally, I don't like walking in difficult terrain, unless it is a glacier or similar challenging terrain. Firm, medium-heavy footwear like MERU is therefore an ideal choice for me. The shoe is strong and flexible enough to make walking in it comfortable and safe on any terrain, even with a heavy backpack. At the same time, however, it is not too heavy, which is generally a problem with shoes intended for hiking in the mountains and, moreover, with a heavy backpack on your shoulders.
Thanks to the attractive design and cheerful colors, you won't feel ashamed in them even in the city. So if you are going on a holiday in nature, but you will also be moving around the city, whether in the heat or in the winter, and you are thinking about what shoes to get, MERU are the ideal choice. They will provide you with everything. For me, I can only recommend. I've been running a few times in MERU shoes. Of course, due to the weight and stiffness (it is not a trail running shoe) it was not ideal, but for occasional running, rather in more demanding terrain, it is no problem. Boots can also be fitted with crampons (so-called hiking boots), so you don't have to worry about a hike where there is a risk of crossing snow fields.
Conclusion:
MERU hiking boots are very versatile boots with which you don't have to worry about anything. Comfortable, but also firm and stable on any surface. For me, it's definitely the piece I want to have.
Rating: 9/10
Used for everyday wear and heavy hiking with a 30 kilogram backpack on the shoulders. Excellent stability and durability of the shoes even for a more difficult trek. A big advantage is their weight.
Men's hiking approach shoes VIBRAM® Megagrip MAKALU
A boot from the entry footwear category, with which you can easily climb steep hills, via ferratas and safely handle stony paths.
Testing and personal experience:
I personally tested the shoes in the Peruvian Andes. These are so-called entry shoes, i.e. intended for hiking and hiking in the mountains, for example as access to a glacier or for climbing mountains or rocks. The shoe should be able to handle longer walks, whether on hard, softer or technical terrain. I also used the MAKALU model as a "boarder" for more demanding mountain expeditions, where I had to go for several days with a backpack weighing more than 30 kg on my back. For me everything was without problems. Compared to the big and heavy hiking boots we have known so far, the foot breathes better in this lower shoe. Low shoes generally have less stability of the ankle or the whole leg, especially in more difficult terrain or with a heavy backpack. However, I didn't feel anything like that.
Conclusion:
Rating: 10/10
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