Chris Townsend takes the Meindl Lite Trail GTX hiking shoes out to put them through their paces. Here’s his verdict.
The brand says the Meindl Lite Trail GTX shoes are “perfect for lighter terrain” and puts in category A in its grading system, which means suitable for “the urban commute and a weekend city break, onto a trail walk and lower-level path”. I think this greatly underestimates the performance.
Chris Townsend’s verdict
They are as stable and supportive and have as good cushioning and grip as some lightweight boots.- good quality
- cushioning
- expensive
- only one width
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: $220 | £195 (available from Cotswold Outdoor) Weight: 866g (size 9) Material: suede & mesh, Gore-Tex lining, Meindl Lite Trail rubber outsole with EVA shock absorber Features: air active footbed, wraparound rand, toe lacing Heel to Toe Drop: n/a Lug Depth: 4mm Waterproof?: yes Sizes: UK6-15 Women’s version: yes meindl.co.uk |
I think the shoes are fine for hill walking and rough terrain. They are as stable and supportive and have as good cushioning and grip as some lightweight boots. There’s a firm suede upper with mesh in the tongue, a protective rand that runs over the toe and round the forefoot, a solid toe bumper and heal counter. The sole is stiff longitudinally but flexes at the forefoot for easy walking. I’ve worn them off-trail on rough stony and boggy ground, on heather-clad hillsides, and for clambering over fallen trees in forests. They’ve been fine for all this.
Fit is personal but for me, the Lite Trail are too narrow and low volume for my feet. Removing the footbeds, which don’t do much anyway, means I can wear them for a few hours walking in cool weather but not more. I wish there was a wide fit. Those with narrow feet should find these shoes fine. The lacing comes further down towards the toe on most shoes which means they can be easily adjusted for a more precise fit if needed. I haven’t needed to do this as they are a tighter fit for my broader forefoot. The shoes have a Gore-Tex lining. In the mostly chilly weather I’ve tested them in this hasn’t been a problem but I suspect they’ll be too warm in summer. The cost is quite high but they are well-made and should last well.
How we tested
Chris wore the shoes on lowland and moorland walks in the Cairngorms over the autumn, winter, and into spring over varying terrain and in all weather conditions. Chris is a UK9 and has a wide forefoot and narrow heel. This review was first published in the August 2026 issue of The Great Outdoors. Compare it with others in our guide to the best hiking shoes.
