Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Cabela's Winter 800 Boot by Meindl _Anyone have them?

Anyone have a pair? Cabela's here (Richfield) doesn't stock them so I can't try them on, etc.

I have the 200's and 600's....at least I think they're 600's......

They were the only boot of that type that fit well and really felt "good"......gotta get a pair of uninsulated one's pretty quick...

For my feet the difference between them and the other stuff Cabela's had was night and day.

I have a pair of the Cabela's "Perfekt" 10" boots and love em. They feel like a pair of broke in shoes. The winter 800's are on my the wish list.

I just came back from the Lacey Cabelas in Washington this weekend. My main goal was to buy a pair of boots, either the Winter 800 or the Perfekt. I came back with the Perfekt.

I tryed both but even for Northern BC I felt that the Winter 800 would be too warm for 90% of my hunting application. They are truly a winter boot.

I've only had mine one season, but so far I like them alot. Very comfortable, required really no break in at all. Very supportive. I was able to ditch my ankle brace. Warmth wise, it wasn't the best year as the deer season didn't get normal cold.

Overall, I am very impressed. I believe that for my normal hunting (spot and stock, sitting no more than 1-2hrs)these boots will work down to about -20 to -25C. Any colder than that, or more sitting, I would probably switch to a 1000 gram pack boot I have.

I like the Meindls so much, that I am likely going to by a pair with 200gm to replace the old Danners for warmer weather. I need the brace with the Danners. It is so nice to ditch the brace, it is worth the cost for another pair of boots.

AB: What kind of 1000 gram pack boot do you use up there?

Thanks for the feedback fellers. I'll order several sizes and keep the winner.

Bob, I can't remember the exact model, but it is some form of Rocky Snowtrackers. I can lace them fairly tightly to provide good support.

I have the winter 800s,and wear them mostly for late season sheep hunting and occasionally for elk and deer if it isn't too cold out.They work quite well down to -10C or -20C if I am fairly active,but if it gets any colder,I switch to my Schnees.

SKane,

Be sure with these boots and any other insulated Gore-Tex lined boots, for that matter, to dry out the inside of these boots as frequently as possible. Insulation has a tendency to trap moisture, especially perspiration, which causes Gore-Tex to break down. These boots should last you a good while and nothing is worse than having a perfectly good boot retired to the closet for an avoidable leak issue.

Dusty Nethery

Dusty-

Thanks for the input. I use a couple different versions of boot dryers for my boots each evening when I can.

Do you recommend anything from your company with decent insulation beside a PAC boot?

thx

Skane,

The only insulated boot we have is the Trapper Top. It is insulated with Gore-Duratherm, a Gore-friendly insulation, that is equivalent to 200 grams of Thinsulate, nothing near what you guys are using.

Good hunting,

Dusty

Do you guys see much of a difference between the 200 and 800 in cold weather performance?

I didn't really. Have switched to using either an uninsulated or a lightly insulated mountaineering type boot and then the most rigid pac I can find. Need support.

Am willing to learn though...if you have used a quality 800-1000 that approached a pac, would like to hear about it.

I have the 200gr Alaskans, and they are great boots. My feet get cold easy, so I don't wear them in the winter without toe warmers. I think the 800's might be just the ticket. FYI, the ones I have now are pretty wide for a D width, and I have to wear thick socks or my feet slide around. Kind of annoying...

dogcatcher:

IIRC, read somewhere that Kenetrek have a boot for narrow feet. I have never owned a pair--so don't know first hand. Might give them a call.

I can get by with Hanwags from Lathrop's into fairly cold weather and always if I am moving, but sitting late season freezes me out and have to switch to pacs.

I have tried an 800 and 1000 and got about the same results--but have never owned a pair of 800s in a top quality boot, like Meindls.

If you go into the shoe department at the Richfield store and tell them the models you are interested in and a couple of sizes, they will order them into the store for you to try on without any commitment on your part to purchase. I did that Saturday and have some Danner's on the way for me to try on.

Skane-give the boyz at Kenetrek a call. Ask for Joe or Jim, I know em both well and they'll treat you really well.

Check out their Mtn Etremes, IMO you won't find a better boot!

Dober

I bought Meindl Mountain Hunters. They fit true to size and are a great boot. I would have bought Kennetrek or Lathrop but I had points to burn at Cabelas.