Anticipating some Cabelas cash over the hoildays. Enamored by a new pair of boots. Just by brand alone, is there a really good pair of boots offered here ? With so many great thing written about Meindls and Lowas on here over the years, I'd like to try a pair.

I've asked several times and followed along with other posts about the validity of the Meindls being "true" Meindls that are offered in the catalog. Think a descrepancy over real Meindls being German or Italian and the maker marked in the Cabelas version Romania or other.

Actually torn between the low Mountain Hunter(Cabelas) with asymetical tounge, and the low Alaskan Hikers (Meindl). Find the rubber randing on both boots the selling factor. I am not really worried about warranty or return, as Cabelas has been truely wonderful in the past, but maybe quality and longevity of the boots.

Read one report of the Mountain Hunters used by Bushcraft who aquired a leak and had the pair replaced and seems to like them very well.

Not heard much on the Alaskan made for Cabelas, but several die-hard Meidl users in general seem to think the brand is tops.

Not spending $400 on Han Wags or Kenetrek. Again, I must stick to Cabelas as a source.

FWIW, I have what I feel are very stout feet, if there is such a thing. Oddly built, wide, with no arch whatsoever, but I cannot think of the last blister I have ever had. I could probably get by with my Gov't bought USA Danners for the rest of my life, but I like to Gear Shop, and both these models look sporty.

I do like the Air Bob soles offered by Danner, or at least used to be, but the only boot that looks 1/2 way serviceable is the Elk Hunter, and the low model is not waterproof.

I have the Meindl Canada hikers or whatever they are called. Really nice boots. The Alaskans are a little stiffer then the Canadians. My buddy just bought the Perfekt and really likes them. If you want really stiff boots buy the Alaskans. You can't go wrong with Meindls.

I have the Cabelas version Perfekt Hunters and Hikers (both made in Germany). Wore both through several 8-10 hour days of sloppy mud, standing pools of water and slush at various jobsites and no wet feet yet. Stiff to begin with, but rugged and fairly comfortable once broke in.