These are two of the more popular sheep hunting boots used in Alaska. The Lowa Sheephunter GTX and the Cabelas Meindl Alaska Hunters. You can also buy Meindls that are not the specifically made for cabelas models, but both of these boots have very rigid midsoles and provide great support for your feet and ankles for backpacking in Alpine conditions, especially with heavy packs. Also both of these boots have a rubber rand around the boot that protects the leather from being cut or abraised by the shale and crags. I own both, they are about equal with the Lowas' being just a little more comfortable.
Meindl, Meindl and Meindl in that order. I am on my fourth year on my second pair and have yet to have a blister. I do backpack hunts as well as horsehunts as well as all day upland hunts. Except no substitute and I would buy from a Meindl dealer as I think the made for Cabelas boots are of a lower standard.
Posts: 200 | Location: alberta canada | Registered: 16 February 2005
I wore Lowa Tibet GTX (the shorter version of the Sheephunter, personal preference) to the NWT in August. Awesome boot. As stated, the guides all had either the Lowa or the non-Cabelas Meindl's (of course they were all from Alberta, Canada).
Fit is the key, and ideally you could try both. www.shoebuy.com and www.zappos.com has the Lowa's, and if they don't fit you can send them back providing you didn't wear them out of the house. They have a good-sized toe box and fit narrower heels well.
If it's worth anything, I hunt Mule Deer in country where I see 3 times more Big Horn Sheep than Deer and I wear Meindl Canada's from Cabelas. My Girlfriend has the Perfect Hunter so do a few other friends of mine but I don't think those are going to be what you are looking for. Canada and Alaskan boots from Meindl seem to be a true hunting boot.
-Everybody has a dream hunt, mine just happens to be for a Moose.-
-The 30-06 is like a perfect steak next to a campfire, a .300 Win Mag is the same but with mushrooms and a baked potato-
Posts: 277 | Location: Washington State | Registered: 08 April 2005
Whichever of the Meindel or Lowa that is more comfortable on your feet. For me the Lowa Sheephunter is the best, most comfortable boot I've ever owned, but if you could try on both and pick the one that fits you best, that would be ideal.
Posts: 318 | Location: No. California | Registered: 19 April 2006
Everyone's feet are different, so you can't take someone else's reccomendation to the bank. I hate Meindels. I wear Scarpa Invernos in Alpine hunts. They are plastic boots for wider feet and I love them. i would sheep hunt in my cowboy boots before I hunted in my Meindels.
One of my best friends absolutely loves them. He is a Kiwi so he buys them when here and I bring him a fresh pair when I go to NZ. His feet are radically different than mine
Posts: 2509 | Location: Kisatchie National Forest, LA | Registered: 20 October 2004
i wear HAN-WAG'S because they are comfortable to my feet. have not had success with the cabela' meindal, which is completely different from the real meindal.
Posts: 510 | Location: pa | Registered: 07 May 2003
Originally posted by Marc_Stokeld: Everyone's feet are different, so you can't take someone else's reccomendation to the bank. I hate Meindels. I wear Scarpa Invernos in Alpine hunts. They are plastic boots for wider feet and I love them. i would sheep hunt in my cowboy boots before I hunted in my Meindels.
One of my best friends absolutely loves them. He is a Kiwi so he buys them when here and I bring him a fresh pair when I go to NZ. His feet are radically different than mine
There are whacks of different models of Meindl boots. Exactly which one's have you tried that you hate so much? A broad dismissal like that isn't particularly helpful, unless you have tried a few different kinds and didn't like any of them. (By the same token, general praise for a brand isn't always helpful either!). Why they didn't work for you would also help put your comments in context.
Cheers, Canuck
Posts: 7123 | Location: The Rock (southern V.I.) | Registered: 27 February 2001
