My Perfekts are not perfect

[T-Dozzer]

So I purchased the Meindl Perfekt Extremes last month while my other boots are being rebuilt & my early season boots started leaking. I really want to like this boot. It's waterproof and has a ton of support. I wore them around the house and doing projects outside and they felt ok. I expected some break in time. Today I wore them on a five-mile hike up an aggressive mountain trail near my house. Now both my feet have blisters and I'm wondering if buying these boots was a mistake. I understand everyone has different feet and higher end  boots take some time to break in but for four hundred bucks I was hoping they would be a little more comfortable. I'm going to try putting in some Superfeet insoles to see if that helps.
Has anyone tried these or know how long the break in period is?

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Meindl-Mens-Perfekt-trade-Extreme-Gram-Hunter-Boots/1632151.uts?productVariantId=3510662&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=03693913&rid=20&gclid=Cj0KEQjw4827BRDJvpbVuKvx-rIBEiQA2_CzsDVhFG3E0eryAsMzjVzBAXAG7jh6Bc3SaLSAuJKGxn4aAoO98P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Thefisherman83]

My Denali's took a while to break in, I did a bunch of short 2-3mi scouting trips before I took them on any long distance hikes.  I've had them for 5 or 6 years now and you couldn't pay me enough to get rid of them.  They have held up very well. 

[Buckewe]

I love my ultralights. They fit me perfect and didn't require much break in at all for me

[CoryTDF]

If you decide to part ways with them try looking in to the Lowa GTX Tibet or Tibet HI. Also, the Schnee's Beartooth are a great boot. 

[Dhoey07]

I didn't need any break in time with my light hikers, but they might be a little different than the Extremes.  I have an extremely flat foot and their arch fit me comfortably.  One thing I noticed about Meindl's, they run a size to a size and a half big.

[T-Dozzer]

I didn't need any break in time with my light hikers, but they might be a little different than the Extremes.  I have an extremely flat foot and their arch fit me comfortably.  One thing I noticed about Meindl's, they run a size to a size and a half big.

Yeah, I usually wear an 11 in boots and went with 10.5. Maybe I should have done a 10. They felt snug when I tried them on at the store

[T-Dozzer]

My biggest complaint is the right boot gives me a heel blister because the insoles do not fit flush against the side of the boot. I'm wondering if Superfeet would even take care of that or if I should get custom insoles made by Lathrop & Sons. Hate to keep putting money into boots if they aren't going to work out but don't want to give up on them quite yet.
Does anyone have experience with custom insoles? Best place to go? Im in North Bend.
Maybe I should have mentioned that I am super particular

[hoytem]

I never had blisters from mine but the bottom of my feet felt like they took a beating with a bat for the first two weeks. Now they seem pretty comfortable.

[T-Dozzer]

I never had blisters from mine but the bottom of my feet felt like they took a beating with a bat for the first two weeks. Now they seem pretty comfortable.

You have the Perfekt extremes? Did you go a full size down or?

[splitshot]

I have had my perfect boots for 2 years and they are not yet broken in.  I wear a size 10.5 and should have gone 10.  I wear 2 pairs of sox.  should have gone with lowas.  mike w

[Duckslayer89]

My biggest complaint is the right boot gives me a heel blister because the insoles do not fit flush against the side of the boot. I'm wondering if Superfeet would even take care of that or if I should get custom insoles made by Lathrop & Sons. Hate to keep putting money into boots if they aren't going to work out but don't want to give up on them quite yet.
Does anyone have experience with custom insoles? Best place to go? Im in North Bend.
Maybe I should have mentioned that I am super particular

I'll sell you a brand new pair of insoles from lathrop never been installed. Honestly I wasn't very impressed with mine and went back to Dr Scholls work insoles they are the best IMO and half the price but everyone else loves the synergy insoles

[T-Dozzer]

My biggest complaint is the right boot gives me a heel blister because the insoles do not fit flush against the side of the boot. I'm wondering if Superfeet would even take care of that or if I should get custom insoles made by Lathrop & Sons. Hate to keep putting money into boots if they aren't going to work out but don't want to give up on them quite yet.
Does anyone have experience with custom insoles? Best place to go? Im in North Bend.
Maybe I should have mentioned that I am super particular

I'll sell you a brand new pair of insoles from lathrop never been installed. Honestly I wasn't very impressed with mine and went back to Dr Scholls work insoles they are the best IMO and half the price but everyone else loves the synergy insoles

Let me get back to you. I may try dropping another half size.

[Duckslayer89]

Sounds good. Next boots I buy will be the Lowa Cevedale Tech Lite Hunter. Currently have the Lowa Tibet HI. I also bought to big. Usually wear a 13 and bought a 14 should have stuck with 13, however going downhill my toes don't stab into the front of the boot so it's nice for that. Just gotta lace them up tight

[Cascade]

My 1st pair of perfekts were  sweet, no issues.  The 2nd pair gave my serious blisters despite being broke in and every kind of sock I tried......I gave up on them and went with the Denali's, which, was a bad idea.  They fit right, feel good,are comfy, but ARENT waterproof despite being allegedly gortex. I don't know what changed with Meindl  but I won't buy another pair.


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[jackelope]

Do the new ones come with the shims for the footbeds like the older versions did?
FWIW Kenetrek says 50 miles before you should expect those boots to be broke in. Not sure I'd be too concerned over 5 miles and not broke in, but break in wont help heel lift. The shims might, or some different footbeds might.

[T-Dozzer]

They should have come with shims. Mine did not. Think I got a pair that were returned.

[jackelope]

They should have come with shims. Mine did not. Think I got a pair that were returned.

Oh, well there's your problem.

[T-Dozzer]

They should have come with shims. Mine did not. Think I got a pair that were returned.

Oh, well there's your problem.

Yeah, maybe. Just strange one boot is worse than the other. Never had issues before. Guess I will make rge hour drive to cabellaa again. Not a big fan of theirs.
Im going to call Lothrop & see what they think too.

[andersonjk4]

My 1st pair of perfekts were  sweet, no issues.  The 2nd pair gave my serious blisters despite being broke in and every kind of sock I tried......

  I had the same experience bought a pair of regular Perfekts back in about 2010 and I loved them.  They were the most comfortable boot.  After a few years a seam started to separate on the back of them, so I took them back to Cabela's and they gave me a prorated refund.  I put that toward a new pair.  Well the new pair gave me the same hot spots on the back of my heels (one side was worse than the other).  I spent a lot of miles trying to break them in and tried different insoles and never could get rid of the heel issue.  I took them back after last elk season when I almost couldn't walk the day after a big long hunt. 

[T-Dozzer]

My 1st pair of perfekts were  sweet, no issues.  The 2nd pair gave my serious blisters despite being broke in and every kind of sock I tried......

  I had the same experience bought a pair of regular Perfekts back in about 2010 and I loved them.  They were the most comfortable boot.  After a few years a seam started to separate on the back of them, so I took them back to Cabela's and they gave me a prorated refund.  I put that toward a new pair.  Well the new pair gave me the same hot spots on the back of my heels (one side was worse than the other).  I spent a lot of miles trying to break them in and tried different insoles and never could get rid of the heel issue.  I took them back after last elk season when I almost couldn't walk the day after a big long hunt.

Cabellas took them back after that kong? Thought it was just 90 days than the manufacturer after that.

[jackelope]

They should have come with shims. Mine did not. Think I got a pair that were returned.

Oh, well there's your problem.

Yeah, maybe. Just strange one boot is worse than the other. Never had issues before. Guess I will make rge hour drive to cabellaa again. Not a big fan of theirs.
Im going to call Lothrop & see what they think too.

Feet are different side to side. It's not at all uncommon for shoes to fit a little differently side to side.
I've had 2 pairs of Perfekt Hunters and they've both been awesome and required little break in. I've got a pair of La Sportiva's that are just now starting to feel ok on my feet but only when I wear the right socks.
I imagine if worst comes to worst, Cabela's would take them back. You will run the risk of a variation of break in times with any quality boot you buy though. Like I said, Kenetrek says it could take 50 miles. I don't have that kind of patience.  Just be aware of that.

[andersonjk4]

The equipment they put their name on usually has a lifetime warranty.  Up to one year you can't get a full refund and then after that they will usually give you a prorated refund based on the age of the item compared to what they determine the life of the product should be.  My first pair was around 4 years old when I returned them and I think I got somewhere around 50 - 60% of what I paid for them.   

[GoldenOscar]

The cork insoles for me and the way to go with Meindls.......... I know my newest set of Alaskans came with some cheaper air active crapolas and I had to buy the $29 cork insoles to get them to fit my foot correctly....I own 4 pair of Cabelas Meindls and love them all.

[T-Dozzer]

The cork insoles for me and the way to go with Meindls.......... I know my newest set of Alaskans came with some cheaper air active crapolas and I had to buy the $29 cork insoles to get them to fit my foot correctly....I own 4 pair of Cabelas Meindls and love them all.

Are you talking about the cork footbeds that come with them and did you use the shims as well?

[buglebrush]

Had the exact same issues as some of you so I switched to the D width, and it cured them all.  Cabela's only has EE ( X-Wide ) or D.  They took all summer to break in properly though.  I've had a couple pairs and it was the same.  My favorite boot though

[GoldenOscar]

   
Are you talking about the cork footbeds that come with them and did you use the shims as well?

Yes I am talking about the cork footbeds that some of the Meindl/ Perfekts come with.. (They work well for me)  I have used those shims in my LaSportivas but havnt needed them in my Cabela's boots.

[T-Dozzer]

 Called cabellas to ask about exchanges and person in customer service said "no problem, come on up, we will take care of you"
I drive the hour and a half to find out they don't have anymore and will not be stocking them because they are to expensive to sell. So if I want to try on a few more pair they will just ship them to me for almost $800 and it will take 2 or 3 weeks.
I had to ask for the manager to just get a pair of shims since mine where missing. They gave me a pair out of a boot a size larger and I had to fit them.
I don't know why I even bother with that place anymore. Every time I go there I get terrible customer service. Manager at least tried. Everyone else couldn't have cared less.
This is the Tulalip store.

[follow maggie]

How could shipping be $400?

[T-Dozzer]

How could shipping be $400?

Wanted me to return my boots than charge me for the other two pairs I needed to try on plus shipping.
I kept mine to try with shims than will exchange for a different brand/model next. I cant wait 3 weeks to just try a different size.

[follow maggie]

Wow

[andersonjk4]

That really sucks you are having so much trouble with their customer service. I have never had anything but the best customer service at the Post Falls store. And I've been a pain in butt for them a few time when I've returned items multiple times. But they have always been good to me. It's the main reason I keep going back to them. Next time you make it over this direction head to the Post Falls store. They've always had a pretty good selection of boots and maybe you will find some better customer service.

[Dhoey07]

That really sucks you are having so much trouble with their customer service. I have never had anything but the best customer service at the Post Falls store. And I've been a pain in butt for them a few time when I've returned items multiple times. But they have always been good to me. It's the main reason I keep going back to them. Next time you make it over this direction head to the Post Falls store. They've always had a pretty good selection of boots and maybe you will find some better customer service.

 
I've had absolutely no problems with the PF store

[T-Dozzer]

Drove 2 hours one way to try on some different sizes at a different store.
Left with a 9.5 & think Im good to go.
I usually wear an 11 in boots. Not sure why the website and reviews all say true to size. They are really nice boots and fit my foot well once they are broke in.
Patience has never been my strong suit