These Boots Are Made for Walkin’!

BY SANDI MELLON

It’s been several years since I’ve been shopping for a pair of hiking boots. Usually we ended up moose hunting in the late season where a pair of knee high Sorrel  winter boots was more suited to the conditions.

This year with hunting in so many different locations, including the mountains, I set out looking for a pair of hikers that would suit a number of different situations and conditions. For me, keeping warm has always been a problem with a lightweight hiker.  I did some checking around and took the advice of fellow Outdoor Chick, Kim Schwanky, and looked into a pair of Meindl Gore-Tex boots. These are the Ladies Island Pro model of boot.   Expensive, but as my feet tell me, worth every penny.  

I needed a boot that first and foremost would keep me dry and warm, these boots have a Gore-Tex 100% waterproof inner lining.   The second consideration was lightweight, @ 810gm per size 7 1/2, these babies are like strapping on feathers!   They are taller than my last pair of boots, coming well up over my ankle and providing some serious ankle support.  Extremely comfortable to wear yet ruggedly designed for hiking in the mountains with the Meindl Multigrip sole by Vibram, and a rock guard (rand) just above the sole. These boots have it all.

These boots are extremely high tech with built in pronation and supination zones which help you keep the correct posture when hiking.  Unlike other all leather hikers I've owned my feet don't sweat in the boots.   Meindl's has a specially designed air pumping and moisture drainage system that is activated by the flexing motion of the boot as you walk.  What will they think of next!?

 As I mentioned, they were a bit stiff so in order to break them in I started out slow, taking the dog for walks during some of our colder winter evenings. They felt a bit like walking in a downhill ski boot at first, but this sensation quickly leaves as your legs start to feel better the longer the hike goes on!  I was really pleased as they were great for walking in the snow, provided good support if I slipped on the ice and my feet were warm and dry from beginning to end.

The first test for them was our bison hunt in Montana. We had some challenging terrain to contend with on the Missouri Breaks and I found these boots to pass every test with flying colors. I have every confidence that these boots will last me a long time and will be very versatile for hunting and hiking.