UGG Adirondack Meridian boot review: Ready for Canadian winters

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A Canadian winter is not the time to trust a California-based brand founded by an Australian — is what I inaccurately presumed.

UGG was founded in 1978 by Brian Smith, an Australian surfer. Smith was an accounting student in Australia when he heard a song, and to oversimplify it, inspired him to move to California. Once there he noticed that the surfers weren’t slipping on sheepskin boots after morning surf sessions like in Australia and Smith founded a brand to fix that — that’s how UGG was born. I was born in Toronto, Canada, a very different scene — where we can’t surf, but sled.

I’ve tried my fair share of winter boots (like these Canadian-based Baffins) and the Adirondack Meridian Hiker by UGG is a stand-up choice built to withstand our winters. The boots cost $400, so they’re an investment. Read my review below to discover if they’re a good pick for you.

What:Adirondack Meridian Hiker
Price: $400
Where to buy:UGG

Adirondack Meridian Hiker UGG review

Overall: The Adirondack Hikers are part of the brand’s UGGextreme collection — as they’re ready for extreme weather. They’re waterproof and tested to withstand -32 C (I’ve only tested them in -12 C so far). They also have a durable outsole for optimal gripping. The outside of the boots is rugged and yet the inside is fluffy, made from an upcycled wool blend. These boots are thoughtfully made, considering all the elements that come with cold Canadian winters.

My favourite part: They’re comfortable, warm and grippy. I try to embrace winter versus staying inside and hibernating for the season — to do this, I need to be happy with my winter wear.

The Adirondacks are incredibly comfortable, they’re a pleasure to walk in. Sometimes boots rub against the back of my foot, causing blisters or cutting the skin. These boots have a soft interior and don’t have that problem.

The insides are fluffy and warm, but my feet don’t overheat. I only wear one pair of highrise socks (so they don’t slip off) and am set to be outside for hours.

The boots have a great grip at the bottom, which helps traverse slippier surfaces. I don’t suggest seeking out ice but I have a good amount of control on slippery areas, like when snow gets packed down and it’s cold outside.

My least favourite part: I want to be able to slip them on without using my hands. They’re quite easy to put on and even have a hand pull for optimal convenience, I can’t just step into them. (They’re easy to take off without using my hands.)

Recommendation: I recommend the Adirondack Meridian Hikers to anyone looking for protection in a moderate amount of snow. If you’re looking for an option to protect you from snow piled up higher, you may want to consider the taller Shasta Boot. I live in Toronto and they’ve been great for the city. Overall, I’m extremely pleased with the Adirondacks and take back my prejudice that a California brand can’t protect me from cold Canadian winters.

What:Adirondack Meridian Hiker
Price: $400
Where to buy:UGG

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