Lomer Bio Naturale Mid MTX+ Review
Walking Without the Drama
There are two types of outdoor footwear. There are the boots that look as though you’re about to cross the Himalayas carrying a Sherpa on your back, and then there are shoes you can actually be bothered putting on when the dog is staring at you because it desperately needs a wee.
The Lomer Bio Naturale Mid MTX+ (which is a bit of a mouthful), from Solo Active sits rather nicely in the second camp.
Made in Italy, it’s essentially a lightweight, mid-height walking shoe designed for people who spend a lot of time outdoors, but don't necessarily intend to climb Everest before lunch. Lomer describes it as being suited to walking, travel and leisure, and that’s actually where its strengths lie.
The first thing you notice
The Bio Naturale Mid MTX+ doesn't feel like a traditional walking boot.
The suede leather upper is soft rather than armour-plated, while the flexible construction means your feet aren't immediately put into a military-style restraining device. There’s a degree of movement here that makes the shoes feel much more natural underfoot than many conventional hiking boots. And that matters.
If you're walking around a campsite, wandering along a muddy lane, nipping into the pub after a day's green laning or spending half a day mooching around somewhere scenic, or the NEC, you don't necessarily need a boot that could survive a direct hit from a Hi-Lift jack. You need something comfortable. The Lomers are very good at that.
The midsole is deliberately lightweight and flexible, while a 1.5mm nylon anti-torsion layer and reinforced heel provide a little more structure than you'd get from an ordinary trainer.
Lomer pairs this with a Vibram rubber outsole for grip and stability.
And then there's the clever bit
One of my favourite things about the Bio Naturale is the lacing.
Instead of the usual arrangement where the first proper lace eyelet seems to be somewhere halfway up your foot, the lacing runs a long way towards the toes. This allows you to adjust the fit more precisely around your foot.
Even better, the supplied lacing system is elastic, so getting them on and off is remarkably painless.
This is one of those seemingly insignificant things that becomes increasingly important the older you get. Nobody wants to be sitting outside the tent at 7am, wrestling with bootlaces while wearing three layers of clothing and wondering why they ever thought camping was a good idea.
The elastic lacing makes life considerably easier. If you prefer conventional laces, Lomer also supplies a non-elastic set, so you're not locked into the quick-and-easy arrangement.
Wet feet? How rude of you to ask.
Underneath the rather smart looking suede upper is Lomer's Mer-Tex waterproof and breathable membrane.
Now, we're in Britain. Consequently, the words waterproof and British weather should always be treated with a small degree of suspicion
However, the Mer-Tex membrane is designed specifically to keep water out while allowing moisture from inside the shoe to escape. Lomer has been using the membrane since the 2000s, and says it has continued because of its durability.
For wet grass, puddles, damp paths and the sort of weather that makes you question why you didn't move to Spain, it's a useful feature.
The mid-height design also gives you a little more protection around the ankle than a conventional low walking shoe.
What are they like off-road?
This is where it's important not to get carried away.
The Bio Naturale Mid MTX+ isn't a technical hiking boot and shouldn't be treated as one. Lomer itself rates the shoe as soft, with a flexible construction, and its intended use is easy hiking, travel and leisure rather than technical mountain work.
But for the sort of outdoor use most of us actually do, that's hardly a criticism.
Walking around a muddy campsite? Absolutely.
Exploring a green lane on foot? Yep.
Driving? Also yep.
Dog walking? Very much so.
Scrambling up a wet, rocky mountain in horizontal rain? I'd probably choose something with a bit more ankle support and considerably more attitude.
The Vibram sole provides useful grip, while the relatively flexible construction makes walking on mixed surfaces comfortable rather than clumsy. The PU rand around the lower part of the shoe also helps protect the suede from knocks, stones and general outdoor abuse.
Any drawbacks?
Other than stating the obvious that the suede upper is going to require a little more care than a synthetic walking shoe, not really. Throwing them into the back of a filthy 4x4 and forgetting about them for six months probably isn't the Lomer-approved maintenance regime.
I’ve worn them constantly for a good few months and they feel better everyday.
Verdict
The clever thing about the Lomer Bio Naturale Mid MTX+ is that it understands what many outdoor users actually need.
It's comfortable enough to wear all day, sufficiently weatherproof for British conditions, grippy enough for paths and tracks, light enough that your feet don't feel like you've strapped two Victorian railway sleepers to them, and easy to get on and off.
That last bit shouldn't be underestimated.
They’re an excellent everyday outdoor shoe for people who spend their time between the house, the dog walk, campsite, green lane, pub and general outdoor wandering rather than scaling cliffs for fun.
At around 410g (size 8), per shoe they’re respectably light, while the combination of suede, Mer-Tex, Vibram and the protective PU rand gives it enough outdoor credibility to stop it being merely an expensive trainer.
In other words, if your idea of adventure involves getting muddy but doesn't necessarily involve needing a helicopter afterwards, the Lomer Bio Naturale Mid MTX+ makes a lot of sense.
And anything that makes putting your boots on easier before the dog starts judging you is alright by me.
https://soloactive.co.uk/product/lomer-bio-naturale-mid-mtx/
Price £169.95