I have been a hiker, backpacker, camper, and explorer all my life, going back to the early years of Girl Scouts. One piece of outdoor gear that I have always been incredibly picky about is my footwear. So much so that once I find a pair of shoes or boots that check all my boxes, I buy multiple pairs in as many colors as possible. I had never heard of the Meindl brand until a few weeks ago when I found myself in the middle of nowhere in Nebraska on an epic whitetail doe hunt. They sent me a pair of Meindl boots for this hunt that impressed me so much I wanted to write about them.

Meindl Boots

Before digging into the two boots I now can’t live without, I want to tell you about Meindl. The Meindl name, as a brand associated with footwear, dates back three centuries. Its inception began in 1683 in Kirchanschoring, Germany, by Petrus Meindl, who was dedicated to the craft of cobbling. It wasn’t until 1928 when Lukas Meindl, Sr., wanted to make Meindl boots accessible across Europe. The brand continued to thrive and grow, with generations of Meindls joining the business. In 1989, Meindl forged an exclusive partnership with Cabela’s to bring their boots to America. This partnership lasted until 2019 when Meindl USA was established under CEO/President Phil Francone. Now, Meindl Boots are intentionally sold directly to consumers to decrease much of the retail markup other brands must contend with.

Because Meindl sells directly to consumers, they focus on educating the end consumer about their products and answering as many questions as possible before someone checks out. The FAQs page goes beyond what most brands put on their website to include a section about boot care and maintenance, a sizing guide that includes printable brannocks for women and men to measure their feet, and a boot repair section with the contact information for authorized cobblers that specialize in European-style boots. I also looked at the online blog and found articles dedicated to maintaining your boots, how not all insulations are equal, a hiking checklist with a break-in process guide, and a whole article devoted to the importance of socks. Skimping out on buying the right socks is like mounting a cheap scope to a high-end rifle. And yet, people do it all the time.

The Boots

I tried two Meindl boots that were very different: the Lady EuroLight Hunter 300 and the Lady Air Revolution 4.4 Hiker. Meindl also has Air Revolution and EuroLight boots for men, but women should look at the “Lady” models, specifically designed to fit women’s feet better. Each of these boots serves a specific purpose and is made for different activities. The EuroLight Hunter 300 are your “EDC” boots, made for use on a trail, off-trail, rocky, or grassy environments and in dry, wet, or snowy conditions. The Air Revolution 4.4 Hiker boots are specific for hiking in challenging terrain. One note Meindl makes on every boot model is to order a half size down in whatever shoe size you are, which could not have been more accurate.

The Lady EuroLight Hunter 300 boots are insulated with Gore Air Fibre 300, are waterproof thanks to a Gore-Tex liner, have an Air Active insole and a Duo-Dur III outsole, and are made with waxed full-grain Nubuck leather. So, what does all this mean? The Nubuck leather uppers and reinforced toe cap protect your feet in whatever field condition you are in. From upland bird hunting to pronghorn, mule deer, turkey, or elk, the environments in which these animals live couldn’t be more different.

Gore-Tex Protection

The Gore-Tex liner keeps water out but lets perspiration vapor escape, which not all boots do. The pair of boots weighs three pounds, which is lightweight considering what goes into the design. The Air Fibre insulation provides exceptional warmth without adding weight to the shoe. Due to its aggressive multi-directional lugs, the Duo-Dur III outsole provides traction and stable footing on various terrains. The Air Active insole is what your feet feel inside the boot to make them comfortable and supportive. The last thing to mention about these boots is they have “Flex-Zone Venting,” which allows the boot to breathe as you step.

The Lady Air Revolution 4.4 Hiker boots are waterproof with a Gore-Tex membrane, are made with the Air Active insole, a suede/mesh upper material, and a Vibram Aplin Rigid outsole. These boots are not insulated and weigh 2.85 pounds for the pair. The Vibram Alpin Rigid Rubber sole provides traction and shock absorption, which is necessary for any hiking scenario. The dual-layer Air Revolution tongue has air channels that allow for excellent ventilation to manage the internal temperature of the boots. The Gore-Tex membrane makes it possible to cross shallow creeks and keep your feet dry from rain or dew on the ground.

Meindl created a Flex-use guide, rating their boots with letters A-D and combinations of two to categorize the best use for each model boot they make. They also recommend the usage and surfaces based on the rating. The EuroLight model boots come rated A/B, which Meindl categorizes as “Light Hiking,” used on many terrains. The Air Revolution rating, B/C for “Trekking,” performs on multi-day backpacking trips and backcountry hunting. It comes rated for rough trails, boulders, inclines and climbing routes.

The Ultimate Test

I fell in love with the Lady EuroLight Hunter 300 boots in Nebraska for several reasons. First, the temperature swings in Nebraska ranged from the 80s in the daytime to the 30s in the evenings, so insulated boots were necessary. The insulation was overkill during the day, but it kept my feet cozy at night without my feet being sweaty. Then, I did what no hiker or backpacker would ever do. I “broke in” the boots during that trip as I had no time before I left for Nebraska.

Unbelievably and surprisingly, I had zero discomfort while wearing my new boots, and while I realize that breaking in your boots is typically a good idea, I didn’t need to with these. When I got home, I decided to run down to the creek in my backyard and give the Gore-Tex an actual test. I have no idea how Meindl does it, but I submerged the boots for minutes as if I were doing a creek crossing and had zero water penetration into the boot or my socks. The overall fit and feel of these boots also impressed me. I can already tell from the quality of the boots that these will last me many years.

The first thing I noticed is how different the Lady Air Revolution 4.4 Hiker books support the ankle compared to the EuroLight boots. While the EuroLight boot comes up higher, the Air Revolution ankle support seems snugger and has a better fit. It feels like a cloud is hugging your ankle. The weight of these boots, combined with how well-balanced they feel, is precisely what a hiker needs to trek in any terrain. 

5.11 Tactical LVC18 Backpack 2.0 30L

I go everywhere with my 5.11 Tactical backpack. My older model, the LV18, has served me well for many adventures. I use this backpack as a carry-on, as my hunting pack, for covert off-body carry while hiking, and as my go-bag. Expandable water bottle pockets on both sides of the bag fit all my water bottles, making this an optimal hiking pack.

Merino Wool Socks

The only type of socks I recommend anymore is Merino Wool socks. In fact, every base layer should utilize Merino wool. The wool transports sweat and moisture away from the skin as a vapor. It prevents feet from turning wet or clammy. Merino wool insulates better in cold air than other materials because the natural crimps and bends in the fibers trap air. This also isn’t your grandmother’s wool, which is itchy and uncomfortable. Merino wool is super-fine and, therefore, really soft. It is also odor-resistant, making it my go-to base layer for strenuous activities or long outdoor days. Meindl offers Merino Wool socks in different weights to pair with the planned activity.