Which one? My feet are not as fussy as some, a 10EE Danner fits em like a glove but we all know about Danner Boots.
Lowa Alaska Hunter MtnHtr
I think it would be impossible for someone to recommend 1 boot over another unless you had 2 identical twins talking about it.
FWIW I'm a big fan of Lowas but your feet may prefer Meindls.
These kinds of boots aren't cheap. Hope you have access to try both on for a while. Any decent boot store should let you wear them indoors for a few days to help you be certain.
Kinda leaning towards the Lowas, just have not read much on these. Don't doubt both boots are great though. I'm down to my last pair of Danners and will reserve them for the easy hunts here on out. I did love the airbob sole.............
MtnHtr
Have a pard that is more than happy with his Lowa's and I've been mucho happy with my Meindl's. One thing you might think of doing is buying both. Cabela's has a good return policy and I'm sure you can get the Lowa's from someone with one. Then, just try both on side by each and see which feels better and send the other back. Of course you won't be able to get any hard-core off trail data, but I'm guessing one will stick out over the other.
I picked up the Sheep Hunters this summer and love them so far. They are so comfortable I wear them not only on the mountain, but also as my day to day shoe.
I have never heard anything negative about the Meindl's, so I don't think you can go wrong with either boot.
I have a pair of Meindl AK Hunters and they really have worked out well in two trips to the Chugach Mts.. My guide had the Lowa version - ditto for him as he can no longer wear Koflachs. BUT, this is what the Cabela's salesman did. After sizing my foot, he brought out another pair 1/2 size larger with the same width. He than pulled out the liner that came with the boots and put in Meindls' upgraded inner sole($10) 1 full size smaller than the boots. Ex., I wear 9EE, he brought out 9 1/2EE and the premium inner sole in 8 1/2.
WOW!!!!! A fantastic fit. After 57 miles of distance and elevation in the Chugach, not a hint of a blister or a hotspot.
Before anyone changes anything, I bought a second pair.
My brother (Alaska resident) bought that meindl after owning some canadas by meindl and says he will stick with the canadas....that rubber squeeks pretty bad....I have some canadas also and they will be the next ones that I buy too...Boots
Bootsfishing,
I have the Canadians by Meindl. They took two years to break in. I finally took out the Meindl insole, and put a Dr. Scholls othopedic full length insole into them, and they work great. The Canadians squeaked for the first two years, and then softened up after liberal applications of snowseal. After 9 or 10 years, the ruber rand is falling off, and the boots are almost to soft. I think I will replace them in the future with the Meindl Alaskans.
Hogjaws
Hogjaws is me name, eatin be my game
You can wear over the knee boots everyday??? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Mtn, what's the primary use? Cold weather expected?
I've examined the Lowas over at Schnees and really like them. I like their overall construction better than the Meindel's. Obviously etiher are great boots and comes down to fit/personal preference. They both have a full rubber rand which, IMO, is critical.
For me, I don't think either have enough insulation as a true all-rounder. I am curious how the Lowa insulation compares Gram-wise to Thinsulate... anyone know?
I frostbit my feet severly in 1976 and they've never been quite the same... 600 grams Thinsulate is minimum for me here in MT.
Brad,
I love my Lowa's. Best boot I have used. The insulation isn't great though. I say it's comparable to 400 gram Thinsulate. I'd probably opt for the un-insulated Tibet rather than the Sheep Hunter excet I like the higher cut of the Hunter.
As you said, it all comes down to fit and Lowa's fit me better than any other boot I've tried.
Ed T
Brad,
What kind of boots do you usually wear while elk hunting?
Huntr
Question on Lowas, Are they made in the US, and is their Vibrum sole different or more aggressive than the sole on the Meindl?
Hogjaws
The Lowa Mountain Hunter is made in Germany. I find the sole plenty agressive.
Ed T
Ed, thank's for the asessment!
Huntr, I wear a variety. This year I primarily wore my Danner "Trophy Hunters" (or some such). Older, US made, air bob and 600 gram thinsulate. They're good boots but not at all in the class of the Lowa's. I also wear Schnee-type pac-boots with a thinsulate liner. Early, if the weather is warm, I wear a hiking boot.
Brad,
Are those "Trophy Hunters" comfortable? I had the Danner Elk Hunter, and they were built on a narrow last, and not as comfortable for longer hiking & climbing as the Meindls.
Hogjaws
Brad,
Many thanks! I just ordered my Hanwag's, can't wait to get them!! I also use the Schnee's when (if <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ) we ever get snow!! Truly the best pac-boots made! Hopefully I will get to use them on my late season cow elk hunt here in New Mexico that start's on the 10th of this month!
Huntr
Hog, for me they're nicely comfortable and not too narrow at all. The problem is theyre not as stiff as the Lowa/Meinel/Hangwag's so they're less comfortable on all ths sidestepping one does elk hunting. One of these days they'll get replaced but for now they're fine.
Huntr, have fun on the cow hunt... hope you have a little snow anyway! It's been snowing here on and off this week. In the valley we have 12" of new stuff. That's definately where the Schnees come in!
Cabelas Chinee Meindls:
Cabelas also has a Chinese made version of Meindl called the Switchback (your back not mine!) for about $160. Has anyone tried this boot, is it a cheap imitation? Just curious.
Hogjaws