Boots

[RadSav]

have any of you guys tried the meindel ultralight hunters? don't plan on walking through a bog but if so are they somewhat waterproof?

Original was a nice boot!  I wore them as every day boots since they were so comfortable.  Only did light hunting in them so no hard core experience, but I thought they were worth the money.  Mine stayed waterproof until I wore the soles out...about two years.

Not sure if or what they have changed.  Seems they have them then they don't.  Been off and on with that boot.  That is why I never got another pair.  Rumor from a Cabela's employee was that they had issues with size consistency and so they flushed the model with intent of returning them in the future (which I am guessing is now!).  Whether there is any validity to that rumor I have no idea.

[moocher97]

have any of you guys tried the meindel ultralight hunters? don't plan on walking through a bog but if so are they somewhat waterproof?

Original was a nice boot!  I wore them as every day boots since they were so comfortable.  Only did light hunting in them so no hard core experience, but I thought they were worth the money.  Mine stayed waterproof until I wore the soles out...about two years.

Not sure if or what they have changed.  Seems they have them then they don't.  Been off and on with that boot.  That is why I never got another pair.  Rumor from a Cabela's employee was that they had issues with size consistency and so they flushed the model with intent of returning them in the future (which I am guessing is now!).  Whether there is any validity to that rumor I have no idea.

Good to hear! I plan on doing some august-September elk/bear hunting and saw these boots which seem to meet the criteria of lightweight and somewhat durable and not pay 400 bucks! I need that money for a new pack!

[Spawnstar]

I would not get meindels. The only thing good is if you buy them through cabelas they'll give you your money back when they wear out super fast.

[moocher97]

I would not get meindels. The only thing good is if you buy them through cabelas they'll give you your money back when they wear out super fast.

What boot would you recommend then? Im going to Cabelas to try some new boots out and always open to opinion. If you guys have any boot recommendations that meet this criteria might be kinda hard but something close would be good!

Dry- (not necessarily like from streams but fricken wet grass in the mornings) 

Light weight- I plan on hiking, ALOT for elk this upcoming season.

Somewhat durable- bought a pair of the boa pinnacles and held up for a season barely. even though there fricken awesome for being waterproof but for 230 bucks a season! i dont think so!

And would say price is a bit secondary but Im tired of wet feet after every hunt so ill do what ever it takes!

[RadSav]

I ran meindles for three years including use on five goat hunts.  On one hunt I slid down a slide almost two miles with just my boot between rock and my back side.  They still looked good afterward.  Of course these were not the lightweights.  My arches fell shortly afterward and I had to go up in size.  So I gave those away and,switched to the lighter trango alp La Sport.  Guy I gave those boots to wore them another three or four years before they started to wear out.  That's pretty good if you ask me.

[jackelope]

I would not get meindels. The only thing good is if you buy them through cabelas they'll give you your money back when they wear out super fast.

I've got several hundred miles on my Meindls and they're still going strong.  Still waterproof, no squeaks, etc.

[JM]

Just picked up a pair of scarpa charmoz pro gtx's... Pretty excited!

I've never stepped foot out of OMC in a pair of Scarpa boots.  So I have little to no knowledge of how good they are.  But, I sure have been hearing a lot of great things about this boot.  A few of the LaSportiva guys I know are trying to get me to switch to these when my Trango Alp's wear out.  Once you put a few miles on please come back and let us know what you think.  This and the new Lowa Tech-Light Hunter are really sparking my interest as my LaSportiva's will need to be replaced soon!

I just got a pair of the Scarpa Kinesis. Wore them on about a 4 mile horn hike yesterday morning and they felt great. I wanted something with a stiffer sole like a mountaineering boot and this looked like the best option

 I'm pretty sure that I will need to get inserts for them though

[Skillet]

I'm late to weigh in on this, but I have a pair of Asolo Fugitive GTX's.  Awesome fit and feel, but along the lines of what the OP said - really bad wet traction on just about anything.   I also find the tread is narrower than I was used to, so I don't get the "edge grip" I got with my old Danners when I'm crossing a rock face. 
I'm in the market for new boots this year, and based on my quick scan of this topic I think I'll skip the Kenetrek's until they get their waterproofing figured out.  May give the Meindel's a try.

[actionshooter]

I would not get meindels. The only thing good is if you buy them through cabelas they'll give you your money back when they wear out super fast.

 I have had just the opposite experience, I have been using Meindls for years., but I only put a couple of miles on a year.   

Boots are one of the most individual gear items a person can use. Asking what someone else likes is tough, everyone has a different fit/need. Any of the top brands will serve you well, Meindl, Kenetreck, Lowa, and many others, just get out and try them on, fit is the most important.

[M_ray]

I would not get meindels. The only thing good is if you buy them through cabelas they'll give you your money back when they wear out super fast.

I've got several hundred miles on my Meindls and they're still going strong.  Still waterproof, no squeaks, etc.

Yeah its a trip that some have had such a bad expireience with them mine have been great! They look a little tattered but still feel great and don't leak! 

[Spawnstar]

I would not get meindels. The only thing good is if you buy them through cabelas they'll give you your money back when they wear out super fast.

I've got several hundred miles on my Meindls and they're still going strong.  Still waterproof, no squeaks, etc.

Yeah its a trip that some have had such a bad expireience with them mine have been great! They look a little tattered but still feel great and don't leak!                         

i used the meindel perfect  hunters and they were great and after 6 months they started busting at the seams from side hilling,  but I put a lot of miles on my boots and use them for climbing poles. The Schnees Granites are by far the best boot I've ever worn, I can got to work during the day and climb poles and in the mountains the shank support way surpasses any boot I've ever had. During the summer time I wear my  kenetreks there a good boot also but leak a little.

[jasnt]

I been running asolo TPS 520 GV's. These boots are amazing! Like strapping armor on your feet.  Only troubles I've had is like you said. Wet sticks or small logs can be slick. Hasn't been an issue for me.  I'd try radsavs advice with the crampons. Asolo claims most of there sole will work with most crampon's

I been running these Asolo's for a year now(almost everyday) still water proof and no damage or tears. Seams are all perfect. Some scuffing of the leather of course but these boots have changed my mind about boots. I won't ever by any other boot. I've put these boots threw hell and back and still they hold up well. I put them on in the morning and take them off when I go to bed. I used to buy 2 pairs of $150-200 boot a year.
They are also rebuild able

[RadSav]

I just got a pair of the Scarpa Kinesis. Wore them on about a 4 mile horn hike yesterday morning and they felt great. I wanted something with a stiffer sole like a mountaineering boot and this looked like the best option

 I'm pretty sure that I will need to get inserts for them though

The first few days after getting a stiff mountaineering boot I cursed them terribly!  By the end of my first mountain goat hunt I started appreciating them.  Now that I have about ten years into stiff boots I can not see myself ever going back to a soft shank boot.

I do not have one single hunting boot with a factory insole.  I have yet to find what I think of as the "Perfect" one, but so far I have not found anything I like better than the Lathrop & Son High Country Synergy foot beds.  I've tried every color of Superfeet after high recommendations from police officers and absolutely hated them all!  REALLY changed the fit of the boots they went into - that probably was the worst part.

Others I did not hate were Shock-Doctor, Montrail Enduro and Meindel Perfekt cork.

[bernacrock]

I been running asolo TPS 520 GV's. These boots are amazing! Like strapping armor on your feet.  Only troubles I've had is like you said. Wet sticks or small logs can be slick. Hasn't been an issue for me.  I'd try radsavs advice with the crampons. Asolo claims most of there sole will work with most crampon's

I have a pair of these, been breaking them in over the winter during my conditioning hikes.  I like them a lot.  Most boots slip on wet rocks so I'm used to it, on log crossings and ice I keep a pair of micro spikes they get the job done.

My feet have stayed dry all winter, which along with ankle support are my two primary objectives with boots. 

[jasnt]

I've had mine a year now. Still water proof even if standing in water up to the ancle.