A solid range day boot that you can wear anywhere, the Comfort Fit Salo Trail boot by Meindl is a “natural” go-getter
by Rob Reaser
“Gee, I really can’t tell much about them.”
That was my initial impression when I first put on a new pair of Meindl’s Comfort Fit Salo Trail Mid boots. Aside from the spacious toe box and the perfect fit when wearing Meindl’s MT6 technical socks, there was nothing particular that stood out.
Typically, a new pair of boots will call out certain characteristics once you put them on and walk around a bit. Toe box dimension is, of course, one of those characteristics, as is ankle support, footbed comfort, heel space, traction, and the tongue/lace feel. But with the Salo Trail, that first impression proved to be somewhat sedate. The boot was certainly comfortable and roomy while delivering ample heel and ankle support. There was, though, no aggressive arch support nor overt stiffness in the upper that demanded attention.
The boot was kind of just…there. And as I would soon come to appreciate, that’s the point.
I’m a huge fan of mid-hikers. In fact, it’s the only type of shoe I wear unless the occasion calls for a pair of ropers or all-out hunting boots. They are ideal for the shooting range because they offer the necessary support and traction for on-the-move training and, when supported by a waterproof lining, ensure all-weather performance. At home, I find them comfortable and supportive enough for all-day sessions at the work bench or in the photo studio.
We Have a “History”
Heretofore, my only Meindl’s had been a pair of leather upper hunting boots. I misjudged the sizing on them, so they ended up being a bit too short and, thus, somewhat uncomfortable when walking down steep inclines. But that hiccup was on me. I was heading for a pronghorn hunt in Colorado a few days later, and the Cabela’s store only had the one size that was close to what I needed, so I bought them.
Lesson learned.
Nevertheless, I wore those boots through four or five hunting seasons before I finally had to relegate them to weedeating and brush-cutting duty. I only tossed them into the trash bag a few months ago. So, suitably impressed with their function and longevity, I decided to try another pair of Meindl boots to replace the 5.11 mids I’d been wearing for the last year and a half.
My choice was the Comfort Fit Salo Trail Mid. I liked the modest styling and the inclusion of Gore-Tex waterproof lining. Considering how well my previous Miendl boots performed, I figured the Salo Trail would give me a good taste of what the company could do with a mid-hiker.
Traction on Demand
More than any other boot feature, I am a hard-to-please snob regarding outsole traction. Soooo many boots on the market today seem to be made of a hard, slippery outsole material with tread designs more reminiscent of cubist art than any serious attempt to get you over challenging terrain. And to be honest, I wasn’t especially impressed with the tread design of the Salo Trail at first glance.
Meindl calls this the Comfort Hiker II outsole, designed to promote natural heal-toe movement. I can’t speak so much to that (I’m not that big of a boot snob), but I can attest to the superior traction. Last weekend I had to hike up a super-steep logging haul road with my 30-lb. pop-up blind on my back. That hill is always a bugger to climb in the best of conditions, but the moderate drought in our area had left the washed-out path hard as concrete and littered with loose rocks, freshly dropped acorns, and slippery dead leaves. Still, I was able to climb up and down the hill with no slips or slides, and that won me over.
Spacious and Secure
In addition to the big impression the outsole traction made, I was equally pleased with the Salo Trail’s toe box. Part of Meindl’s Comfort Fit technology, the toe box dimensions offer ample room to keep the big toe straight and the overall platform wide and stable. This is combined with a conversely snug (but not too snug) heel pocket that locks in the heel. Working together, the expansive toe box and secure heel space provides a stable foot bed to navigate unruly terrain while preventing the foot from slipping awkwardly inside the boot.
Day One Comfort
Another welcome surprise came the second day I put on the Salo Trail boots. No soreness around the collar. Almost without exception, every new boot I wear causes soreness around the top of the collar and tongue until the material breaks in and I get used to the wearing. Not so with this pair. The collar is thick and plush and ergonomically contoured to prevent hot spots during all-day wear.
Another welcome feature that promotes Day One comfort is the tongue design. It is a bit longer than many of the mid-hikers I’ve worn over the years in that it tapers at the top edge. This tapering eliminates the bulk and bunching common to many boots, which causes soreness and hot spots after a hard day’s wear.
Sole construction of the Salo Trail is multi-layered. The insole has a four-part construction, including full-length memory foam, a PU foam section in the arch, a Poron shock absorption layer at the heel, and it is all supported on a cork footbed.
I don’t consider this insole construction to be exceptionally cushy, and that is probably a good thing. Some boots that have a wonderful, pillowy feel at the outset seem to cause the foot to roll on uneven surfaces. The Salo Trail is comfortable enough on hard ground, but going back to the stability thing, it delivers a firmness that keeps the foot well-planted.
Overall, the Salo Trail is a well-constructed mid-hiker that lives up to its Old World craftsmanship heritage. The suede/mesh upper is stylish and should wear well over time. I like the easy-glide eyelets and lacing, as well as the soft tongue. These make it simple to get a snug fit without discomfort across the top of the foot.
Summary
So, looping back to my earlier statement that these boots felt like they were “just there” when I first put them on, that, I discovered, was testimony to the “natural feel” of the Salo Trail’s construction and material selection. These boots are designed to work with the natural shape and movement of your feet while delivering the stability and support you expect in high-quality, active footwear. In other words, these boots do the job you expect of them; they just do it “behind the scenes,” so to speak.
Pretty cool.
For range work, hiking, or just active casual wear, we give the Meindl Salo Trail Mid boot an honest endorsement. If you are looking for something even more robust for hardcore trekking or hunting, check out the review of Meindl’s Alpine 1.5 Light Hiker over at our companion site, Born Hunting.
And Finally…
A perfect companion for the Salo Trail is Meindl’s MT6 mid-weight socks. Comprised of a Merino wool and polymer blend, these socks are technical in design, with dual-layer construction and just the right amount of material where you need it most for cushioning and less where you don’t to prevent uncomfortable bunching. Even if you aren’t wearing Meindl boots, these are excellent socks for any high-activity pursuit.
