Meindel X-SO 30 GTX Review
At first look these new X-SO 30 GTX hiking shoes from Meindl
look pretty similar to any other technical hiking shoe. There is slightly more
ventilated mesh used than in similar shoes, the only areas that do not use mesh
are the heel cup, which fully encompasses the heel offering great support, and
the minimal toe protector. The rest of the shoes design features a mainly
transparent rubber ribbing that reduces the weight of the overall appearance of
the shoe.
However under its glitzy facade hides venting that has been
adapted from a previous version of Gore-Tex Surround that has been present in
urban footwear for some years. The issue with the previous GTX Surround, and
why it has not been utilised in outdoor footwear before, was that mud blocked
the venting and prevented the vents from well, venting. Enter GTX Surround
Outdoor, where the venting has been moved from the bottom of the shoe to the
side and base just above the rubber sole unit that runs around the shoe via a
6 mm open cell spacer. This offers a full 360° of venting that allows for better
breathability and dryer feet. Drier feet, of course, reduces the likely hood of
getting blisters or chafing. The Gore-Tex waterproof membrane is built in to
the shoe, like an inbuilt waterproof and breathable sock, completely
surrounding the foot. 
The lack of a rubber rand around the base of the shoe,
that allows this extra breathability, and shallow lug pattern mean this shoe
will not be the best for tackling rough terrain. However as a warm weather
walking shoe it really will excel.
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