I’ve decided to invest some of my money in a new pair of hunting boots, I´ve pretty much settled on Meindl, as I’ve heard a lot of good reports from satisfied users, but I don´t know what model to choose.
The candidates for the moment are the Engadin MFS; Glockner GTX; Borneo MFS.
You can look them up at : Meindl Boots
I´m looking for a boot that is comfortable for walking 4 or 5 hours, but that will keep my feet warm – My feet get cold very easily – If I need to stay still for 3 or 4 hours.
The temperatures here in Portugal are relatively mild, in the worst days of winter we get at most 0-2 ºc, temperatures bellow zero are pretty much the exception, but we do have a fair bit of rain during the hunting months, October thru February.
I would really appreciate recommendations/comments from users of Meindl boots, or any other recommendation of brands/models that you are satisfied with.

Cheer´s

I use Meindl boots and have nothing but praise for them.

I probably use the "Glockner GTX" (http://www.meindl.de/deutsch/modelle/schuh_detail2.asp?ID=118) model - or at least one which is very close. My primary reason for choosing these boots, is that I need quite a bit of ankle support - due to an old injury. This model gives more support than lighter and softer (but perhaps more comfortable) models do.

Is this the right boot for you. Probably only you can tell, but I would not be without mine again. I even bought a second pair of late, to be ready when the first pair dies on me

In principle, boots like this are primarily made for hiking (or climbing), and because this requires them to be tight on your feet, they are not the warmest boots around - when stationary. A lot will also depend on what kind and how many socks you wear, and how wet they get. In the US, it is quite common to get boots with various amounts of insulation. Few of the ones I have seen, would offer the same support at the typical European climbing boot, though. Compromises, compromises...

- mike

Nsiro,

I have a pair of Meindl's too...I can't remember the name of the model, but they are a tall model, with a "plastic" protector over the leather in the toe area...

To be honest i have mixed feelings these boots.

On the positive side, the quality of the boots is excellant...They are by far the most comfortable boot i have ever worn...They have remained waterproof for a few years now and look as if they will give many years of service...

The down side is that they have an annoying squeak as you walk...Its not too bad normally, but if you are trying to stalk a beast it drives me mad...One year I actually had a stag come out to have a look what that funny noise was after I stalked past it in some heavy cover!

I have tried various cures like boot polish or grease in the offending area, even putting a bit of clingfilm over the tongue as I laced it up, but none really worked...And the squeak seems worse when the grass was wet too which often here in the UK!

The other thing is that they are a relatively heavy, seriously built boot with vibram soles. For woodland stalking, I find them too "clumpy" and noisy and I have come to prefer a lighter boot...I now keep the Meindl's for winter conditions on the hills where I am not trying to stalk in the same manner as in the woodlands...

The boot I really like for most of my stalking is the Aigle Genet shown below:



I have had mine five years or so, and although they look well used, they are still waterproof..
The sole is a bit lighter/softer than the usual vibram soles and the whole boot is less bulky than my Miendl; they also lack the annoying squeak!

All in all, I find them much quieter and much better suited for woodland stalking.

The boots themselves are very comfortable and although only lightly insulated, they work fine unless the temps drop below freezing or perhaps your sitting inactive in a highseat...

I doubt they will last as long as my Meindl's, but as they were roughly half the price, I would say they still represent good value for money....

Regards,

Pete

I have a pair of Meindl, but the knee high insulated ones for sitting, which are great in temps down to 0C or just under or over. However, if you plan on walking 3-4 hours, I wouldn't advise them. They have a pretty good selection of hiking style, but I couldn't nail one style down, and if I did, it might not be the right one for you. Good luck, if you do get a pair of Meindl's, believe you will like them, Waidmannsheil, Dom.

...for me it is hard to imagine one pair of shoes that would cover all aspects - I have 5 different pairs - one of them are Meindl Antarktis for rough hunting late in the fall and in winter when temperatures reach down to -20°C - they are OK tho - when walking laces must be tighten but when I stop and would sit for some time I must loosen the laces to improve blood circulation to the feet...

P.S. - in temperatures near 0 they aren`t too hot

I use the Meindl Taiga in Norway (and actually hunt in the taiga ) . In my experience they are about as perfect as huntingboots can be, but I have to agree with mouse93, they are not perfect for all types of hunting. In +20°C they are to hot for much walking and in -20°C they are to cold for sitting.

They will keep you warm enough for 4 hours of sitting in the mild climate you have, but you might find them too hot and sweaty if you use them for walking a lot in the portugese heat.

Nsiro,
I too have a pair of the Aigle genet just like Pete's, I have had them about 4 years and they have never let me down, even to the point when I am standing ankle deep in water.
They do have an annoying squeak which is soon cured with nikwax..
haven't found anything better yet, do like the look of the zipped wellies though from Cabelas with an inner liner..

regards
griff

Meindle boots are ok for walking on the flat, on hard hill country there are no good!

oldun, what would you recommend for good hill/mountain stalking?

I have used MEINDL Boots for several years now for hunting and mountain climbing but my self and a few friends have found some of the models with the soft internal parts of the sole deteriate with the main sole coming off!!! (Bad news when half way through a Ibex hunt in Mongolia as once happened). I have seen this on three pairs of ISLAND Model,one DAKAR Model, one MALTA Model and one MAKALU Model.
WARNING CHECK SOLES WELL before use!!!
At the moment we are using SCARPA and LA SPORTIVA, so far so good.
ozhunter

I have 2 pairs of Meindl : the high ankle covering Tundra Gore-Tex and the sheepskin lined aviator boots. The Tundra is nice for climbing (Scottish Highlands) but it took years of wearing and greasing to stop them from squeaking. OTOH, I have a pair of ankle high Mephisto boots that are as comfortable and rugged. They never squeaked and cost 1/3 less.

Hi Alex

For real rough wet mountain and woodland hunting/trekking I recommnend Lundhags.
They are handmade, reasonable priced and fantastic when the going gets tough. THe leather quality is exceptional and they are unlined, you just use thick socks that way they dry out quickly. They are also very light.
Any kit made in Scandanavia is going to preform well and the terrain wittles out the weak, mine have been through an unbelievable amount of evil Scottish heather.
Here's a pic with my Lundhags and African hunting boots which are really quiet on crunchy stuff in the summer.

Regards

Mark

Said it before, and I'll say it again.

If you have a fairly normal to narrow foot you can't go wrong with Danners.

I really like Meindl boots and even though they are somewhat heavy, they are extremely rugged and offer a lot of support in steep, rough terrain.

quote:

Originally posted by Alex.Y:
oldun, what would you recommend for good hill/mountain stalking?

Alex,
I'm scratching my head, trying to remember the name of the most reliable hill boots I've had and I'm buggered if I can. They were Italian made which I bought in England.
Whilst I havn't trod on hills for 7 years now, I used to live in the Snowdonia National Park and when at home, took to the hill, for an hour at least, 7 days a week. I fell on my bum more times in six months wearing Meindels that I had done in all the other boots I wore from the age of 15yrs.
For a light boot Chris Brashers take some beating. The Lundhags are a brilliant heavier boot. The boots I realy liked for heavy conditions are Whites Fell Boots. The ones with the laces which allmost go down to the toe. Were I still in Pomgolia these are the boots I would wear for winter and the Brasher for summer.
This will probably surprise you, (I did a fair ammount of terrier work in Snowdonia) and at the time used to wear a pair of Hunter wellies, those with the studded sole. They were very good.

quote:

Originally posted by oldun:

I'm scratching my head, trying to remember the name of the most reliable hill boots I've had and I'm buggered if I can. They were Italian made which I bought in England.

...oldun were they SCARPA perhaps SCARPA UK ? - those guys do make some serious mountain boots...many alpinists wore them...

for regular hunting in flatland the best boot for my feet is Lowa, and for alpine hunting my prefered is Asolo.

montero

For all hunting / hiking / outdoor activities I use Scarpa. I have no comparison to Meindl but have been extremely pleased with the Scarpa products.
Am currently on my third pair in 18 years of hard use, bought the last pair last year.

regards

Another vote here for Lundhags, they come from a country who know what is required from an all weather boot, are comfortable to wear, reasonably priced and 100% reliable

Thank you all for your answers,
I’ve been away from the forum due to the birth of my daughter, not much spare time right now.
I really appreciated your comments and experiences.

Cheer´s

For summer I very much like those light L.L.Bean stalking boots. They are not designed for very rocky terrain but are ideal for stalking and quite comfortable.

My vote is for Lowa.

Used a pair of their Timpan Desert in Namibia and they were great, silent and supportive. Obviously NOT European conditions though!

Canuck over at back pack hunting reminded me of La Sportiva - very good - did have a pair of them in the past...

I like the Meindls. I've had several pairs. Currently I wear Makalu Pro or Island Pro. The Makalu for heavy duty mountain work, and the Island Pro for easier country. (They are lighter and more flexible.)
Good rubber rands around the edges and good grippy sole. Very comfortable, and no need to wear them in, they are comfortable from day one.
Can't fault them, and I've tried most brands.
Bought the last pair in Munich for 180 euros.

Congratulation with a little daughter Nsiro
Abouth the Lundhags... I have worn out two pair of the over the years. The first was the light model called the Luffar or something like that.
It needed to be broken in, but after that it fit like a glove.

The second pair was the Hunter with the high shaft ( same as on MarkH´s picture ).
Albeit waterproof and light, they had wery little ancle support.

Exxelent boots for wet boggy terrain, but they endet up in a box in the garage because of that mising ancle support.
More a fault of my aging legs then of the boots.

Now I use the Meindls with Gore Tex.
A bit on the heavy side, but stiff soles and exxelent support for the feet on rocky, steep terrain.

For dry weather/ easy terrain I still have a pair of the Norwagian issue army boots ( M77 )who still see some service now and then