I just received my meindl (Cabelas) Denali hunting boots and was wondering how they are supposed to fit? They seem a little stiff. If you have any, how far off are they from your regular size? I can't decide if I like them or not.

This is why I don't seem to understand how you can buy shoes/boots through the mail without trying them on. I have seen work boots that vary a bunch. If you don't think that they fit properly return them for a different size. If your feet hurt you can't hunt. You must take of your feet first. No matter how much or what kind of gear you have if you are stuck in the cabin with sore feet you can't hunt.

Supposeing they are the correct size...

They are supposed to be stiff. Meindl boots are stiff to provide support for the ankle and foot. They aren't necessary if you are going to stay on flat ground but they are incredible for when you are going over rugged terrain or sidehilling shale.

If they are the correct size, start wearing them around. These boots need at least 100kms to break in, and you DON"T want to do it on a hunting or hiking trip. You want to do it around town, where you can take them off if your feet start to hurt.

Can't say anything about these boots, and agree that if they are the wrong size, you should send them back.

However, I have had several pairs of shoes which I initially couldn't wear, which became favorite footwear after I wet them and wore them a while. One pair of biking shoes were perfect after one rainstorm. After that, i made a habit of soaking and wearing wet any troublesome shoes. Just soak them and wear them all day, then let them dry out naturally (you can stuff themn with newspaper if you want).

That has been my experience.

Well Mike338 I wish I could just walk into a store and try boots on but there aren't any around that carry quality boots. cabelas is it and it ain't exactly right around the corner.

I have a pair of Meindle Super Cracks. Best mountaineering boots I have ever owned. They are VERY stiff, but by design. I am not familiar with the Denali model, but if they are for a similar purpose I would expect them to be quite stiff.

FWIW, Canuck

Pistolero
I have had my pair of Denali's for @ 6 years.
They are a great boot,but...they take awhile to
brake-in.As said above start using them around.
I think you will like them.
Jeff

I got Meindl Pamir's and they did not need breaking in at all. In fact they advertise that their boots do not need breaking in.

These boots are extremely comfortable yet provide adequate ankle support. Pamirs are rated B & C on their rating system.

In my case you send them a tracing of your feet on a template & give them other data like Weight & height. Then they fit you with the right size boot. In my case they brought me the correct size boot in the Island Pro & Pamir. Wore both for around 15 mins each at a gun show & found the Pamir the most comfortable.

Initially from the brochure I was set on getting the Island pro but found the boot did not suit my foot although it fitted fine. So I second what someone else saide here. You really need to try them on & preferably walk in them for 15-20 mins to let your feet heat up. But they are a great boot IMHO (& should be for the price!).

Like others have said, those boots are supposed to be pretty stiff.

I have a pair that was purchased for a sheep hunt in 96'. Love them for Alaska, western mountain hunting, etc.
That stiffness really helps when traversing rugged and steep terrain. Great boots on the rocks.

I'll definitely buy another pair if these ever wear out.

Many thanks to all who replied. I guess what I was also asking about but never explained is that the boots fit snug on the heel(a good thing) but have much more room around the toes compared to normal boots(good thing??)

Pistolero,

Some room in the toe box is a good thing. You just don't want too much of a good thing to the point that when you're walking downhill, your feet are able to slide forward in the boot and jam your toes against the front of the boot.

But by far the biggest problem with fitting most boots is a heel that slips. That can translate to blisters faster than anything, so if you have a snug heel, you're more than half way there.