Meindl Men's Vakuum GTX Walking Boots

It took me a long time to decide to buy these boots and an equally long amount of time to save up for them. Out of the box these are a work of art. Meindl craftsmanship is amazing. There’s no dodgy stitching, not a single blemish on the leather, even the tissue paper inside the boots had been folded and not stuffed in. You can’t fail but to be impressed immediately by the build quality (typical German!).

The memory foam system is a little weird and takes some getting used to. The boots initially feel extremely snug and it takes a while for the weight and warmth of your feet to ‘melt into’ the foam. I’ve changed from my normal 2 pairs of socks (thin coalmax liner and thicker 2-3 season sock) to 1 pair of 2 season 1000 mile socks as they’re thinner. These boots are very warm.

Once on and moving they feel heavy and slightly clunky. They’re extremely assured over rocky ground and the high ankle cuff offers reassuring support, whilst the Vibram sole makes sure you don’t feel the rocks through the sole. These boots are not for fast movers or long distances. If you’re up for 10 miles of serious rock tromping in the Lakes or perhaps up the Glyders then these are perfect. The stiff sole is perfect for jamming or for use on a grade 1 or 2 scramble.

The boots are perfectly waterproof, however, I’ve taken them off at the end of a tough day to find my feet quite clammy. I’m not sure if this is because they’re a very warm boot or if the Gore-tex isn’t working as good as it could or have they actually leaked? And here lies my issue with the boots. I’ve suffered repeated blisters every time I’ve used the boots. I’ve tried changing the socks to ones that reputedly guarantee against blisters. I’ve tried changing the lacing arrangement. I’ve even tried toughening up the skin on my heels with surgical spirit, then tried softening it up – all to no avail. I’ve lost confidence in these boots and can’t start a walk without strapping up my heels.

I like long walks of 25 – 30 miles and I wanted a boot that could almost do everything and I think this is the problem. This boot is not a boot for a 2 day walk covering 40 + miles. This is a boot for a winter scramble (below or just upto the snowline). I’ve completed all the usual long walks and recently walked the new Lakeland Haute route by trail magazine. We stayed up high and took 75L packs. These boots should have been just the ticket but most steps I took were painful in these boots.

Think before you buy them as these are very expensive boots. They’re undoubtedly extraordinarily well made but they just don’t excite me and make me want to get out and walk in them. Shame.

I bought these a few months ago and I have to say, they are spectacular. First walk out was a 15 mile slog around the Yorkshire Dales over pretty much every type of terrain you can think of and they performed fabulously. The MFS works a treat, they were snug straight from the box. After a bit of experimentation with the lacing it was like I'd always had them. They're stiff enough for hard, broken ground, but also light and flexible enough for walking on flat ground, like tracks/roads. After a shin up Gordale Scar ('twas rather wet) my feet were bone dry. The rest of me, not so much.

Highly recommended, well worth the money.