Haix or Meindl?

Hunter21

In the market for new hunting boots and also work boots as i have a stud farm.

Sick of buying junk like Jack Pyke boots that are cold and eventually leak water. Plus my feet sweat a lot in them and I get cold feet after a few minutes.

I'm willing to spend money if the reviews are good, boots come with warranty and will last a few years at least.

Also if mods see this maybe a poll could be done for future reference? Just a suggestion.

Tikkat3

Hunter21 wrote: »

In the market for new hunting boots and also work boots as i have a stud farm.
Sick of buying junk like Jack Pyke boots that are cold and eventually leak water. Plus my feet sweat a lot in them and I get cold feet after a few minutes.
I'm willing to spend money if the reviews are good, boots come with warranty and will last a few years at least.
Also if mods see this maybe a poll could be done for future reference? Just a suggestion.

I have a fair few pairs of boots from 200 euro to 400, for walking to high mountain climbing.

You will have to try a few brands as they all differ in the foot shape they cater for and the 'last' is different. If you have narrow feet, especially heels, many meindl won't suit you.

Other models in the range might suit. I have meindl vacuum, old version, and they are ok. For long says out I were a pair of Garmont high mountain boots that are crampon b2/b3 rated as they give me more support and have a better heel cup for my foot shape.

I have many other boots and could only advise that you go to a good stockist and try as many as you can.

Don't buy mail order until you have researched the boots and know your foot shape well.

Just don't part with a large amount of cash before you find what fits or you will waste your money.

Hope you get sorted

bravestar

I am issued Haix boots and I have to say I find them brutal. My feet also sweat alot and using them I seem to have nothing but problems with my feet. As a result I wear magnum spiders, which are super light, very breathable but not waterproof. Given what i use them for though, most of the time they dont need to be waterproof.

In other words, I found something that works for me, for that use, but it took alot of trial and error. Do your research and if at all possible, try them on first!

When out hunting I usually wear some type of clarks gore tex air wave that i got in a sale, seriously comfortable, my socks arent soaking, waterproof and only cost about 40 squid

PS. I actually wear the clarkes all the time, even though they are tattered, they are that comfortable!

deeksofdoom

I have a pair of the Meindl Dovre Extremes and they are a fine boot. However leather boots get torn to shreds in briar and ****e. They have started to fail after two years.

If you are hard on footwear which I am you be better off with a good pair of wellies. My boots have started to crack badly, I used to clean them and apply the wax regularly but just not regularly enough, you want to be cleaning, drying them out and rewaxing them every time you wear them. The leather stinks from walking through ****ty boggy fields. I used to wear them with a pair of gaiters too and they're still in ****e.

If I were going to get a pair of boots again I'ld look at the lundhags that have the rubber totally covering the foot part of the boot up to the ankle, but they are over €400.

Vegeta

Pair of wellies for the rough stuff and a light pair of walking boots for the rest.

You probably are well aware but socks are important too, don't wear cotton. It gets wet and stays wet. Real wool deals with moisture better and some of the synthetics are good too.

Feisar

I know it's not one of the brands mentioned but I've a pair of Scarpa Terra GTX's and find them a great boot for the price. Vibram sole, leather and Gore Tex, all the stuff you'd want.

As Vegeta said, get good socks.

garv123

bravestar wrote: »

I am issued Haix boots and I have to say I find them brutal. My feet also sweat alot and using them I seem to have nothing but problems with my feet. As a result I wear magnum spiders, which are super light, very breathable but not waterproof. Given what i use them for though, most of the time they dont need to be waterproof.

In other words, I found something that works for me, for that use, but it took alot of trial and error. Do your research and if at all possible, try them on first!

When out hunting I usually wear some type of clarks gore tex air wave that i got in a sale, seriously comfortable, my socks arent soaking, waterproof and only cost about 40 squid

PS. I actually wear the clarkes all the time, even though they are tattered, they are that comfortable!

Are they the magnum spider 8.1 urban?

Ive been looking at getting a pair of them. down from £114 to £65 at the moments. Convert that to euro and add postage and its still not bad for the positive reviews they have.

Jonty

Neither, Lowa are a good boot, but hard to find.

td5

Danner boots are worth a look as well. My 1st pair lasted 7 years. Waterproof, Breathable and most important comfortable. Made in the USA.

bravestar

garv123 wrote: »

Are they the magnum spider 8.1 urban?

Ive been looking at getting a pair of them. down from £114 to £65 at the moments. Convert that to euro and add postage and its still not bad for the positive reviews they have.

I got the 5.1 rather than the 8.1 but other than the height they are the same. If your going to be in alot of long wet grass or puddles then get something else, but for a concrete jungle you would be hard pressed to find something better.

My feet are very happy. I've had them 2 years now and they are still perfect, I've destroyed lesser boots in less than 6 months. The best part is they feel like your wearing runners

Feidhlim Dignan

just go get yourself a pair of Meindls. I got a pair two years ago and i where them shooting, working, hill walking even wore them up Ben Nevis with crampons straped on last year in the snow. long strory short they are super comfy and my feet are always dry

endasmail

hard to beat the meindls
very comfortable and hard wearing

never had a pair of haix

Tikkat3

Ill agree that the meindl boots are good and I have a pair myself.

But they are not the best boot for people who have a narrow heel and need a narrow heel cup.

You would pick up Lowa boots from the military as they manufacture for some forces. Also Hanwag have a good reputation for boots but are probably the same price as the Meindl.

I have Meindl, Garmont, Salomon, Asolo and one or two others and they all fit differently but of the ones i mentioned the Meindl are the widest fit on me.

Longranger

I use meindl island pro for the majority of my shooting. For really wet, boggy areas with lots of cow ****e I stick to the wellies(dunlops) and if the snow starts to fall i love my old lowa eigers(b3 crampon compatible and quite high so lovely and warm). I've accumulated a fair collection of footwear over the years but if you don't want to (or can't afford to) splash out and fortune your best bet IMO would be a pair of good quality 3 season walking boots like meindl islands or burmas/lowa sarek/hanwags, and a good pair of wellies. If you can only manage one set of footwear for everything you could try the meindl army pro(a higher version of the famous army gore) but some folks find them quite warm. As Vegeta said, sock choice is vital. Synthetic socks are good at wicking away moisture but they don't half hum! Best bet are pure Merino woolen socks. Just as good as the best synthetic high tech stuff but way easier on the nose! Whatever you do, buy the best you can afford as if you **** up your feet then they may never stop giving you grief.
Also, remember that if you're wearing leather boots around horse ****e,cow ****e,or any kind of other ****e, they will get eaten away in a matter of months due to the acids and various other stuff that comes out of said ****e unless you clean them religiously. That goes for twenty five quid aldi boots OR three hundred euro meindls!
Good luck and happy hunting
LR

leupold90

Asked a related question myself
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=74654480

Amost a year on the Haix are still going strong. For a work boot I'd highly recommend them.

Double Barrel

Hunter21 wrote: »

In the market for new hunting boots and also work boots as i have a stud farm.

Sick of buying junk like Jack Pyke boots that are cold and eventually leak water. Plus my feet sweat a lot in them and I get cold feet after a few minutes.

I'm willing to spend money if the reviews are good, boots come with warranty and will last a few years at least.

Also if mods see this maybe a poll could be done for future reference? Just a suggestion.

Try a pair of Swedish Lundhags (Syncho 31cm )
I have worn them for four years and can honestly say they wear like iron (but no rust) and are very comfortable. I would have no hesitation buying another pair.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=68768913&postcount=14

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=68768913#post68768913