Had a trip to Iceland, and didn’t have any actual hiking boots or the budget to buy nice ones so I figured I’d use what I did have: Meermin black waxy calf boots that I’ve left mostly untouched for a year now.
I covered them in as much otterwax boot wax as I could, slipped on some heavy wool socks, and it turned out… actually okay!
A few things; these have the hidden tread on the bottom, the gusset lip and what may be a stormwelt? (I’m not an expert so if it isn’t whoops!) so I figured it might just work.
They were actually pretty comfortable for both city and outdoor wear, water RESISTANT, and had enough grip for casual hiking up and down some trails, even in rainy conditions. I strolled through some streams and waterfalls perfectly dry but will admit that standing in a lake I felt water come through at the side somewhere.
Would I recommend this? Probably not, since if you like boots and hiking you already have a much more suited pair, and if you’re buying Meermin’s more fashion-y boots it’s probably not for their ability to climb mountains.
But hey it works! If I keep hiking more I’ll look for some actual mid-range leather hiking boots