Hello:

Looking for some feedback. I am looking at buying a pair of Meindl boots thru Cabela's. Either the Canadian Hunter or the Alaskan Hunter. Reports from owners would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

I need a good pair of boots too (my Brownings caved in last year's elk season after ten years). I would love to hear others' experience with tough backpacking/hunting boots.

I have owned a pair of Meindl Ibex's for 3 years. They needed very little break in and have held up well through some rough elk and mule deer seasons. My picture should give you an idea of the kind of stuff I hunt. I am impressed with the quality. I am looking at the 7" Perfekt Hikers now for a Namibia trip.

A few friends and I have used Meindl boots for mountain climbing and hunting in Australia and New Zealand for years now. We did have problems with de lamination of the soles on a "few" of the boots and with the Island model the synthetic material above the rubber soles "broke down".
Very comfortable overall but soles coming off on a wilderness trip is not a great thing.
Always out of warranty naturally.

After doing a little homework, I picked up a pair of the Canadian Hunters a month or so ago. Thus far, I have only worn them on flat land. The test will be next month in the Rockies of BC on an elk hunt.

My initial impression is positive. VERY comfortable and seem to be rigid enough for rough mountain hiking.

I do think there are better boots out there - Handwags and a few others that aren't coming to me right now. Then again, you're talking double the money. The $260 that I spent on the Canadians is steep for me.

The complaints I hear about Meindls is that they will eventually fail. They don't last quite as long as some of the other premium boots. For an Easterner like me, who gets to the mountains maybe once every couple years (if I'm lucky), I'm confident that they will last me for years and years. If you're spending a lot of time in the mountains, a couple seasons might be all they make it - again, this is based only on what I have heard. I still have not hunted in mine yet.

BTW, I did e-mail Meindl and ask them if there Cabela's brand was the same as the boots they sell in Europe. The next day I received an e-mail assuring me that they are the same in every way - only a smaller selection.

My first pair of Meindls lasted about 10 years or so. The Goretex goes, the leather breaks down (maybe better maintenance?), some stitches burst. I could still use them in dry conditions though, no problem. My second pair (full leather Perfekt Lady model (small feet), no Goretex) is still going strong, after about the same period. They ended up close to a fire after a thorough soaking and the leather cracked (years ago), but I can't part with them. Conditions are mostly bone dry in the mountains here anyway, and later in the season I sometimes slip into a Goretex sock, to keep the feet dry. If I make it to Europe, as is tentatively planned for early November, I'm going to pick up a pair exactly the same, and I'll be good for another decade. (They don't offer sizes small enough for me here, but that goes for most manufacturers)

Frans

I currently own and wear a pair of Meindl Canadians purchaed through Cabela's. I wear the Meindl's because they seem to be wider than most other boots and I have wide feet. I have worn them in the Montana Mountains and the Minnesota winters. No problems whatsoever. I would not order them however. Go into your local Cabelas and try on at least three pair, i.e. half size smaller, same size as you usually wear, and half size bigger. And make sure you try them on with the exact socks you are going to wear with them.

Not likely for him to find a local Cabelas in Maine. I've heard Meindls are good boots but haven't owned a pair. I cannot recommend highly enough the Schnees/Lowa Sheep Hunter GTX. The best boot I've ever owned... beats Russels, Danners, hands down.

I have a pair of Alaska Hunter's.
I couldn't decide between the Lowa sheep hunters or the Meindls until I was told if I had wide feet (which I do) to go with the Meindls.
They are a tough boot made for alpine hunting.
If this is what you need than either one will suit you fine. If you tend to hunt more on flat land I would go with a Danner which is more comfortable in my opinion.

I have wide feet and when I asked the folks at Schnees, they just recommended buying a half size larger as they seemed to run a bit small. I bought the 11 M and they fit perfectly.

What is the best way to break in a pair of these mountain boots. I'm in Texas so no snowy mountains here but am going to Alaska for a mountain goat hunt in Nov. I understand you can't break them in like regular boots b/c you want them rigid. Sorry to hijack this thread but it just got me to thinking...

Your mileage may vary, but my Schnees/Lowa Sheep hunters really didn't need any break-in. The first time I work them I went on a 4 mile hike and had zero hot spots.

Same with the Meindl's. A good boot fits, I guess... I think "breaking in" is really a thing of the past, or an excuse for poorly manufactured boots.

Frans

Just a point of information, but the Lowa Hunters come in a wide as well as a regular. I know because I bought some a couple of months ago. Love these boots! Plan to wear them in Kyrgyzstan in October.

Al

I actually just purchased the Lowa GTX Extreme (The Sheep Hunter) this morning. I bought them a 1/2 size larger than street shoe size as recommended so we'll see.

quote:

Originally posted by bluefin:
What is the best way to break in a pair of these mountain boots. I'm in Texas so no snowy mountains here but am going to Alaska for a mountain goat hunt in Nov. I understand you can't break them in like regular boots b/c you want them rigid. Sorry to hijack this thread but it just got me to thinking...

I don't know about the other brands, but the Meindl's come with a special footbed insert that supports your feet, and requires no break in. At least mine did. I know that Cabela's sell those Meindl inserts seperately as well for replacement or for use in other boots.

Meindle's are good boots if you get the real mcoy. the one's sold at cabela's are not the best grade of boot.

Have worn Meindl's for the past 15yrs. They fit my feet extremely well.
I guide 100plus days a season on scree slopes and steep country and have no complaints at all. Any boot you can hunt in all day and not be in a hurry to get off your foot once back in camp is a good boot.
lowa and schnee are also very good boots , if you can try all 3 then find the one that YOU feel best with.
I've never had to break my boots in, just slip them on and go. Good maintenance will give you many years of wear from your boots . If i can get 3-4 seasons (350 -400 days) from a pair they should last the average hunter a lifetime.
Our models came under different names down here in NZ. I wear Makalu Pro's, ankle boot, vibram sole, gore-tex liners and most importantly a rubber/synthetic cap that covers the first 2-3 inches of the leather and protects from rock cuts.
brillant boot, just make sure you get the real McCoy and not a copy!

ztreh,

Could you please elaborate on your post regarding the Cabela's brand? What are you basing this on?

Unfortunately, access to the "Real Macoy" here in the US is most difficult. Cabela's seems to be the only option for a guy who wants to give Meindl's a try.

I contacted Meindl and was assured that their boots sold by Cabela's are built to the exact same standards as their European boots.

Maybe they're feeding me a line of BS. I don't know. But I would be very interested in hearing specific differences that you have encountered with the Cabela's line.

Thank you.

I own Meindels and don't like them. A shoe is a very personal thing and what works for one person may not work fo ranother. I have a friend who will only wear Meidels. He lives in New Zealand and they are very popular down there.

The pair I own is called "Perfekt Hunter" from Cabela's. I used to spend a lot of time in Europe each year and saw many Meindels in stores. THey did seem to be a higher qualith boot than what I had here in the US. Hard to expalin on a keyboard, but if you held both side by side you would see what I mean. I tried on most models they make and none felt good to me. Nothing wrong with the boots-it is just that my foot shape and Meidels are not a good partnership.

NimrodRX---thanks for the reply. here are my comments---the glue used, allowed the toe caps to come loose when the boots were still very good, ---the water proofness did not come up to match other boots. ---maybe as MARK has said that not everyones foot will fit all meindles.--when you compare a boot made and sold in the U.S.A. to one sold in EUROPE they are not the same quality--IMHO--I have switched to HAN-WAG and am more satisfied.--ztreh

I own the Meindel Perfekt Hunter and consider it a very good boot. It's a softer boot than the Lowa (could be a plus or a minus depending on the type of hunting you are doing). The Canadian Hunter and the Alaska Hunter models are probably more comparable to the Lowas. The workmanship on the Lowa looks superior to the Meindels I own. I'll definitely keep using the Meindels I own but I wanted a stiffer boot for rough terrain.

FWIW, I have a pair of brand new Lowa GTX Sheephunters for sale in the AR classifieds. They're marked 12 Wide, but I'd call them 11 wide or 11.5 medium. I like everything about this boot except they are a little tight on me so I ordered a 13 Wide.

https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/2711043/m/736103817

quote:

Originally posted by jsl3170:
Hello:

Looking for some feedback. I am looking at buying a pair of Meindl boots thru Cabela's. Either the Canadian Hunter or the Alaskan Hunter. Reports from owners would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Schnee's in Montana also sells that brand. Ya might want to check them for prices.

Thanks guys.

I agree the Hanwags do seem to be the cat's meow. If my pockets were a little deeper, that's what I'd be wearing on this trip.

I tried the Cabela's brand Meindl on and it felt great. For the amount of time I spend in the mountains, I'm sure it will hold up. Most of my hunting is relagated to the bean fields of mid-Michigan.

In less than three weeks I will be in British Columbia on an elk hunt. I will revist this thread upon my return and give you a report of the Meindl boot.

Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by 416LJT:

quote:

Originally posted by jsl3170:
Hello:

Looking for some feedback. I am looking at buying a pair of Meindl boots thru Cabela's. Either the Canadian Hunter or the Alaskan Hunter. Reports from owners would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Schnee's in Montana also sells that brand. Ya might want to check them for prices.

I stand corrected , I just looked at Schnee's site and they do not carry Meindl

As I mentioned in an aerlier post, I skipped the Meindls because they are on back order with Cabela's and went with the Lowa Sheep Hunters. I took them to the gym and did 2 miles on the treadmill to see what what. So far, quite a pair of boots. Very torsionally stiff and a really nice flex pattern. If they hold up and break in properly I think they'll be a very good boot.

quote:

Originally posted by NimrodRx:
ztreh,

Could you please elaborate on your post regarding the Cabela's brand? What are you basing this on?

Unfortunately, access to the "Real Macoy" here in the US is most difficult. Cabela's seems to be the only option for a guy who wants to give Meindl's a try.

I contacted Meindl and was assured that their boots sold by Cabela's are built to the exact same standards as their European boots.

Maybe they're feeding me a line of BS. I don't know. But I would be very interested in hearing specific differences that you have encountered with the Cabela's line.

Thank you.

AJ Brooks is probably the best source for quality Meindl boots in NA. The Cabela version is made to their specs for their price point. The Cabela spec Canada Boot as an example is no way near the in same league as the AJ Brooks spec Canada Pro that came in last year. Heavier leather, full rand, near bomb proof. They were both Meindl Canadas built to the same basic design but completely different in appearance, in performance and in price. Same for the Cabela Alaskan vs a Meindl through AJ.

So, there is absolutely no way they are the exact same boot.

GVA

The Cabela's Meindl's may be different, but they are still a very, very good boot.

They probably are made to fit there price point.
Just as all of the other gear in the catalog that has the Cabela's name on it.

Cabela's has a great return policy, and the Meindl's are great boots. You can't go wrong.

/

I have a pair of Meindl's from Cabelas that I bought about 5 years ago. I wore them almost literally every day in the summer and fall during that time. They just recently started to come apart at the sole and I plan to have them resoled this winter. They are great boots and I wear mine more than most people do and in rough environments. I highly recommend them.

I bought a pair of Meindl boots from Cabelas a couple of months ago. I took them to Alaska for 3 weeks worth of hunting. I just got back and they were great. I stood in water for a few minutes at a time, loading and unloading a plane in shallow water. They never leaked. I was moose hunting,sheep hunting, boo and bear hunting and was really impressed with the boots.

I have a pair of Raichle Lite Hikers I've had for over 20 years and had them resoled at REI, best boots for me but no longer made.The trouble fitting new boots is the width, few if any are in "E" the companies make them in EE,EEE,EEEE,EEEEE,EEEEEE I didn't spend my life barefoot or cultivating a rice paddy.Been to Bass Pro,Cabelas,REI,SHOT Show but can't find any boots might be that my 11 1/2E left foot and 12D right foot are the problem.

You are a good candidate for custom fitted boots like the Russells. I like my Russells and will be getting more in the future.

Buy Scarpa & never look back.

I bought the Cabelas Meindl boots maybe 5 years ago. I wear them for bird hunting and whitetail hunting.

They are very comfortable, wear extremely well and have excellent ankle support. I have had no problems with them at all.

I don't know if they are the best you can buy but they are very good and I am glad I bought them.