Meindl Softline TOP GTX

These are the most comfortable pair of boots (or any other shoes) I have ever worn. The Vibram sole is superb, and although they are full leather boots they are relatively light and breathable.
They could easily receive 5 stars, the only reason they didn't is because of one problem that should have been fixed by the manufacturer under warranty.

I’ve used these boots for three long distance hikes during a 6-month period, with an average pack weight of 36 pounds. The trails I’ve walked through consisted of bare granite rocks, sandstones, karstic rocks, sand, mud, well you got the idea… Just for a reference I’ve hiked the GR20 in Corsica after completing 1000 k”m with these boots beforehand.

Pros:

Comfort: un-parallel to any other boots or shoes I had in my life, the fit is perfect, the ankle support is tight, the heel has minimum movement, the toe box is roomy enough and there are no dead spaces.

I should mention that I do have narrow feet and I believe that people with wide feet won’t find these boots as comfortable. The structure of the boot and sole gives a kind of forward momentum with every step you take, it kind of pushes you forward, very cool.

Sole: Very durable, it has evident wear to it but it’s still usable, I think for the kind of use it’s been through you couldn’t ask for much more. The grip is fantastic at any type of ground, and the shape of it is useful for more technical trails.

Weight and breathability: Weighing around 700 grams per boot they’re fairly light for this kind of massive boots, and it’s noticeable while hiking, your legs get less tired, they are easier to walk with. Especially on scrambles and uneven terrain, and they give you agility that heavier boots won’t have.

Because I knew I’m going to hike in hot environments I was worried about taking a full leather boots to this journey but as I later found out, this boots breathe well and I never felt too hot in them.

Quality: I set this category both in the pros and the cons and for a good reason, as for the pros, the quality of the leather, stitching, laces and eyelets is superb, as you can see in the "used" photos down below, the leather is intact, the laces are the original ones, and all the eyelets are free of rust. 

New (after break-in):

Cons:

Quality: One of the main reasons I chose these boots over the others is the reputation Meindl has. The brand is well known in Europe for their uncompromising quality and workmanship and the company exists since the 17th century. The leather is made out of cows grown in Bavaria, and the shoes are handmade in Italy.

However, the first pair I bought had minor defects in them. One boot had the logo color off the logo imprint and a small part of the sole was detached in the other one. I replaced them right away and got a new pair. During my time at the GR20 I hiked through a downpour and through the small streams it created, unfortunately that’s when I found out that my left boot is not waterproof.

When I returned home I tested it and it did leak. I sent it to the brand’s dealer and they claimed there are no problems and no leaks. This should not happen in boots of this level, and Goretex and the manufacturer should stand behind their warranty. I must say this disappointed me greatly and despite all the other values of this boots I will think twice before re-purchasing them.

Used:

Good comfort, stability, and waterproofness. However, not so great for fast scrambles as the weight of the shoes are not as light and nimble as some synthetic textile models.

I have had the Meindl Softline Top GTX for a bit more than a year. I have not used it extensively, relatively speaking. However, I did use it to hike through the rainforests of Mount Cameroon National Park during the raining season.

The boot always felt comfortable, supportive, and totally waterproof even in pouring tropical downpour (my Goretex pants covered up the top of the shoes, creating a fully waterproof system). Even while navigating a gushing stream, the water did not enter until the shoes were fully submerged beneath the water.

I did make the mistake of not weatherproofing it prior to the hike. As a result, it never really dried out throughout the entire duration of the expedition. Thankfully, I refrained from drying it out near the fire! However, after being washed and dried, I treated them with several applications of wax and they are now as supple and pliable as before.

Background

Fully satisfied!

These are the most comfortable boots I have ever worn, just took time to break in. I have slightly wide feet; yet despite that these boots are slightly narrow, they stretched in a couple of weeks of breaking in. Perfect fit.

The best boots I have ever worn. I have slightly wide feet, and still find them comfortable, though they started off narrow because in a couple of weeks time they stretched to the shape of my feet, getting more comfortable with time.

They have a speed lacing feature. They proved comfortable even for distance walking.