I’m trying to decide between the Meindl Respond Mid II and the Lowa Taurus Pro GTX. I have fairly wide feet and am looking for a boot that will fit comfortably. Does anyone have experience with either of these brands or models?
I’ve been wearing Meindl light hikers in EE for over 15 years, and they’re the most comfortable boots I’ve ever owned. I tried Lowa boots, but their ‘wide’ fit wasn’t comfortable for me.
Meindl boots tend to be more accommodating for wide feet. If your feet are very wide, consider the Comfort Fit line—they’re great for extra width. Both brands are solid choices, though.
Rio said:
Meindl boots tend to be more accommodating for wide feet. If your feet are very wide, consider the Comfort Fit line—they’re great for extra width. Both brands are solid choices, though.
Do you have other recommendations for boots suited for wider feet? Also, would these work for winter hikes with crampons?
@Sawyer
Crampon compatibility depends on the boot’s rigidity and features. Some crampons require a heel ledge for attachment. Check out this article for more details: Crampon Essentials: A Guide to C1, C2 and C3 Compatibility.
For wide feet, here’s a rough ranking of brands:
- Zamberlan: Wide
- Hanwag/Lowa: Depends on the model
- Meindl: Wide
- Meindl Comfort Fit: Very wide
The Meindl Respond Mid II GTX is more of a B0 boot, meaning it’s flexible and not suitable for technical crampons. If you need crampon-compatible boots, look into models like the Meindl Comfort Fit Hiker, which has more rigidity for C1 crampons.
@Rio
Thanks for the info. How can I figure out if a boot is B0, B1, etc.? Would the Meindl Respond Mid II fall into the B1 category?
Sawyer said:
@Rio
Thanks for the info. How can I figure out if a boot is B0, B1, etc.? Would the Meindl Respond Mid II fall into the B1 category?
The Meindl Respond Mid II GTX is a B0 boot. It’s flexible and meant for 3-season use, so it won’t work with technical crampons. However, it can handle non-technical traction aids like Kahtoola Microspikes.
For B1 crampons, you’d need boots with more rigidity, like the Meindl Comfort Fit Hiker. These boots are in the B category (rigidity scale: A-D) and work with C1 crampons. For more advanced crampons (C2 or C3), you’ll need stiffer boots designed for those specific uses.
Big fan of Meindl boots. They’ve been reliable and comfortable for me over the years.
I own both Lowa and Meindl boots. For my wide feet, Meindl boots are noticeably more comfortable.
If you’re open to other options, check out Topo’s Trailventure 2 WP boots. They have a roomy toe box, which makes them super comfortable for wide feet.
I’ve been using the Meindl Respond Mid II boots and love them. They’re lightweight, waterproof, and have held up great in boggy areas like Dartmoor and winter hikes in the Lake District (UK). I bought mine second-hand but nearly new for a great price.
I wear Meindl Comfort Fit boots daily, and they’re fantastic for wide feet.