Meindl owners?

[huntnnw]

I have a pair of Meindls I purchased not to long ago. I have worn them a few times and have gone on 4-7 mi hikes with them and my feet are getting super sore and I am wonder if others have had issues. My heels get almost raw, balls of my feet under the big toe is another. My question is .....is there break in time on these boots I should expect? going to try different socks and next will be different footbeds or doubling them up. The boot itself fits well they are not big are to small..so I don't know why my feet are getting this way..never had issues with anyboot really. Starting to get concerned about it tho

[coop2424]

What model are they?   I have the perfekts and they were great out of the box.  Also had the Alaskans but they needed a break in and actually got rid of them before that happened since the size was wrong.  The insoles in the Alaskans are aweful and when I get another pair I will be upgrading them before putting them on.

[Cascade]

I have a pair of the perfekts and they took a while to break in.  I absolutely love them now.

[huntnnw]

They are the alaskans

[WAcoyotehunter]

I have had a few pairs and the alaskans were the only ones that seemed to need much break in.  They were a little sloppy though.

Try another footbed first. 

[teanawayslayer]

Went out last week for a 8 mile hike in mine.  My heels were killing me.  I have never had a problem with boots hurting my feet.  This is the second time out with them and I wasn't real happy about it.

[huntnnw]

u and i both.. I would not of been able to climb another hill after about 3 hours in. good thing it was all down hill out. My heels were raw..I wore 2 pairs of socks..took them off and went with a single cotton. It felt better but the damage was already done.

[halflife65]

I don't have the Alaskan's but never had a problem with Meindl's.  Most comfortable boot that I've ever owned.

Try a liner sock with a heavier wool/wool blend and maybe change out the footbed, especially if you have ones (Superfeet or whatever) that you can "borrow" from another pair of boots without investing any more money.

I'd try that ASAP and, if that doesn't work, take them back and get something different.  Although I have had VERY good luck with Meindl's, you shouldn't have to deal with anything outside of normal break-in when you pay that much for boots. 

Boots are something worth every penny you pay for them.  Stick with higher end boots and you will find something perfect for your feet.

[netcoyote]

I bought a pair of Meindl Alaskan Hiker boots a couple years ago. I was tired of the usual "hunting boots" that just did not have the support that I needed for the type of travel that I usually do. The Meindl boots fit like a glove right out of the box and didn't seem to need any break-in time. They are my favorite boot and what I usually wear unless I need insulation for extreme cold weather.

That said, I prefer a stiff boot since I have done a lot of mountaineering in my past and I always used stiff boots for climbing since I needed them for edging and for crampons.

I've found that different lacing methods can change the way a boot fits. Try lacing tight, lacing loose, pulling lower lace tight, upper lace loose, etc to see if it makes a difference.

I always replace the insoles that come with the boots. I added a complete additional sorbothane insert on top of the original insoles that came with my Meindls.

You might also try a thin polyester liner sock as a first layer and then put wool over that. The liner sock is less abrasive than the wool. Personally I would avoid cotton socks.

[addicted]

Have you tried different sock combos rather than a common double?

It is kinda weird. must be a fit issue. Love my meindl Islands.

[teanawayslayer]

I am definitely going to be putting a new pair of insole's in them.  I may even take them back. These boots feel good when your not really doing much.  That's not the reason I bought them for.  I had bought a pair of under armor boots before these and they were one of the worst boots I have ever owned.  Meindl is working on the second worst.  Should have just stuck with danners. Wear them every day at work and my feet never hurt.

[jackelope]

I have the 10" pefekt hunters and they rock right out of the box....zero break in for me. They do feel better on my feet when I am working them. I wear mine all the time which is kinda dumb probably since I will wear the sole out quicker that way but they are real comfortable.

[huntnnw]

I am definitely going to be putting a new pair of insole's in them.  I may even take them back. These boots feel good when your not really doing much.  That's not the reason I bought them for.  I had bought a pair of under armor boots before these and they were one of the worst boots I have ever owned.  Meindl is working on the second worst.  Should have just stuck with danners. Wear them every day at work and my feet never hurt.

yeah these boots feel great doing nothing...socks will be my next switch then i will double the insoles..that may help by getting my foot a little higher in the boot.

My danners I returned were comfortable from the box! but were leaking after 8 trips to the woods

[huntnnw]

Today I went for a hike..wore polyester thin pair of socks with a thin wool blend pair...so far so good..no soreness. still need insoles my balls of my feet feel like I have stood on concrete barefoot for hours

[teanawayslayer]

Today I went for a hike..wore polyester thin pair of socks with a thin wool blend pair...so far so good..no soreness. still need insoles my balls of my feet feel like I have stood on concrete barefoot for hours

did your feet sweat really bad?  I  can't do two pair's of socks my feet sweat way to bad.

[Miles]

Shane, try the cabela's coolmax liner with one of their "ultimate" medium weight wool socks.  I think you'll find that they help your situation.

[RadSav]

I wore the Alaskans for years.  Best thing I ever did was order the Lathrop & Son footbed for them.  Those guys knew exactly how to cut for the Meindle and got them right out for me.  Everybody's foot is a little different, but it made a huge difference for me.  Took about 15 miles of climbing to get them worn in.  After wearing Danner for a while they seemed extremely stiff and I wasn't sure if I'd ever get used to them.  Besides the footbed I also played with the way I laced them.  Really helped me to figure how to lock the lower tight and the upper loose going uphill and reverse going downhill until they fully broke in.  The locklace eyelet won't do it on it's own.

Once I got it right they were a fantastic boot.  Now any time I try a Danner I can't stand how flimsy they are.  Besides the fact every Danner I've ever had started leaking after just a few days.  Since Cabela's changed the hardwear on the Alaskan I now wear La Sportiva instead of the Cabela's Meindle.  I'd love to get my hands on the Alaskan made the Meindle way instead of the Cabela's way - the way they used to be.  But I still hold them in high regard.  Damn good boot for the money.

[huntnnw]

thanks for replies.

[The Weazle]

Seems like a lot of suggestions for new liners and socks...I am glad I don't spend that kind of money on boots to have them suck.  I love my Danners.  Comfy right outta the box no matter what socks I am wearing.  Never a blister.  Last pair lasted over 10 years, current pair going on 5 years and holding up well.  I have the Trophy's.  Would never think of switching.

[huntnnw]

I had a pair of the high end danners this year and they were comfy right out of the box..but 8 trips to  the hills and they were leaking . I know understand the stability of the boots and never switching to danners where there is know support.

Miles i just bought the cabelas socks friday  wore them Saturday on a 10 mile shed hunt trip and everything felt great, new insoles 3 hrs in and AGAIN my heels were killing me. I am starting to think it has something to do when my socks are getting wet from sweating. May go with a liner only.

[boneaddict]

I loved mine except for the squeek.  No matter what I did I couldn't get rid of it.   The last two pairs I had had it, the previous ones were great.   I finally got a new pair ( loved the others so much) and then they squeeked.  That was enough for me.   

[huntnnw]

no squeak in these yet

[jackelope]

I greased the crap out of the tongues in mine and got rid of the squeak. When it comes back I use that as a reminder to retreat my boots.
These are the Perfekts.