Myrqvist Duved Boots Initial Review
The last couple of winters weren’t really that cold, and here in Vienna we didn’t get a serious amount of snow for years, so derbies and chukka boots were enough to get me through the winter when it was occasionally wet. This year, however, we got the coldest winter in 30 years, and we even had a week or two of snow. It wasn’t much, but it was cold and wet enough that I decided it’s time to look for another pair of hiking boots. I had a pair of Diemme Roccia Vet many years ago, but they weren’t the most comfortable, so I sold them.
I went through all the traditional footwear brands, but also those who specialise in hiking, and made a list of the best options available. Some pairs on this list are better quality than others, but since I knew I would mostly wear them in the city, I decided to pick the ones whose style I like most. Most hiking boots come only in very dark colors, so I didn’t have too many options, and the lightest was the Myrqvist Duved boot in taupe waxed suede. The official photos didn’t really convince me - the boots seemed too wide and a bit bulky, so I was afraid they might not work for me, since I have slightly wider feet. Fast forward a few weeks to Pitti Uomo, where I went to check out the Myrqvist booth and I saw them in person for the first time. I was immediately sold - there they were, properly laced, and the shape looked great - they are really sleek for a hiking boot.
Duved Boot in taupe waxed suede at the Myrqvist booth at Pitti Uomo
I think this colorway is the most versatile, especially if you wear a lot of lighter colors, naturals, and denim. It depends on your style, but if you want to, you could even wear them with a casual suit - I might try that soon! They pair really well with jeans, but also with chinos or pleated trousers, as long as they’re not too slim, otherwise they’ll stack on top of the boot, which doesn’t look good. They are also available in black waxed suede (if you want to play it safe, this one is probably the most versatile of all colorways), dark brown suede, and black grain calf leather.
These are technically hiking boots, but I would call them more of a modern or lifestyle interpretation - we can definitely see the design was tailored more to style, not just function. But this doesn’t mean they won’t get the job done. The upper is made from water-repellent suede, with a waterproof lining and a protective water tongue, so they will keep your feet dry in the worst weather. The padded collar adds extra comfort, and the new enhanced hiking sole improves traction, plus the brass-finished hardware complements this taupe waxed suede really well.
They are made in Portugal, and the quality is what you expect at this price point. The only concern I might have is the durability. The sole isn’t solid rubber, but rather rubber-based material, which is a bit softer (and more comfortable), but could potentially affect long-term durability. And the sole is cemented, not Goodyear welted, which helps make the boots a bit more affordable, but it means you won’t be able to resole them (which could potentially become an issue in the future for those who plan to wear them a lot). But I’m not really worried about that, because this is not a shoe that I would wear regularly all year round, but rather for a couple of weeks in total every winter, which is also why my main preference was aesthetics, not durability. But as I said, I’m not really worried about that and believe they will serve me for many years to come.
The enhanced hiking sole for superior traction
The retail price is 349€ (they are currently 25% off, which brings it down to 261€ - get them here).
And regarding sizing - I usually wear UK 10 or 10.5, and I wear Myrqvist Mölle II Tassel loafers in size 10. I got the Duved boots in size 10 as well, and the fit is perfect. A few more size references if it helps anyone - I wear Alden’s Van Last in US 11, and Paraboot Michael (basically all their models) in UK 10.5 (EU 44.5).
Another angle, so you can see they don’t look too bulky on my feet.
Besides having experience with the Diemme Roccia Vet, I also tried on the Paraboot Avoriaz in the store, and they’re quite firm as well and will definitely need a break-in period. Based on these experiences, I wasn’t expecting these boots to be very comfortable, and I couldn’t have been more wrong - these were super comfortable from the moment I put them on. I guess it’s partly thanks to the suede upper, extra-soft padding around the ankle, and rubber-based sole, which is much more comfortable than solid rubber. I would even say these boots are much more comfortable than most leather sneakers, so I’m glad I was wrong about them.
These are my initial thoughts after wearing the boots for the last 10 days - overall, I’m very happy with them, and I look forward to wearing them a few more times until the weather gets too warm. I’ll post an update on how they hold up after a year or two.
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