“The value of good boots is not just in their cost, but in the miles they carry you”…or whatever that saying is. As cheesy as that sentiment may be it does not make it any less true. Footwear is one of those things where it is always worthwhile to invest more because it is something you have to walk on. The Meindl EuroLight Hunter 300 boots come with a fairly large cost but does that make them worth it? Let’s dive into the review and find out.
Specifications: Meindl EuroLight Hunter 300
The Meindl EuroLight Hunter 300 boots are Meindl’s everywhere and everyday boots. The pair comes in at a lightweight 3.3 pounds. They are insulated and waterproof. On top of it all they feature aesthetically pleasing waxed full-grain Nubuck leather and Flex Zone venting for maximum breathability within a waterproof insulated boot.
- Height: 9″
- Weight: 3.3 lbs./pair
- Insulation: Yes, Gore Air-Fibre 300
- Waterproof: Yes, Gore-Tex
- Upper Material: Waxed Full Grain Nubuck Leather
- Insole: Air Active
- Midsole: Polyurethane
- Outsole: Duo-Dur III
- Flex-Use Rating (Scale: A – D): A/B
- Last (Fit): Meindl Straight (Standard)
- Resolable: Yes
- Lace Length: 72″
- U.S. Sizes: 7-14 D/8-14 EE; Half sizes to 12
- Country of Origin: Made In Europe
The MSRP of the EuroLight Hunter 300 Boot currently stands at $315 in any of its given sizes. The size range goes from Men’s size 7 all the way up to size 14. The EuroLight Hunter 300 Boot is also available in wide sizes. The size range is the same for the wide options.
“You’ve heard of EDC, meaning everyday carry, the essentials you don’t leave home without. Well, these are everyday boots. Think upland, pronghorn, mule deer, tree stand hunting and more. Trail, off-trail, rocky, grassy, timbered, open, dry, wet, snowy – these are your boots. And the fact they deliver on the promise of light weight (only 3 lbs. per pair for the uninsulated version.) adds to their every-day, every-season, every-hunt appeal. You’ve heard, and felt during long days in the field, that every ounce on your feet is like carrying an extra pound on your back. Meindl takes that to heart. Looking at EuroLights in the box, you don’t expect such full-featured boots to be so light. And if they’re surprisingly light in your hands, wait ’till you lace them on your feet. Light but tough, they feature 9” waxed full-grain Nubuck leather uppers (and reinforced toe cap) to stand up to use and abuse in the gamut of field conditions. A Gore-Tex® waterproof, breathable liner keeps water out but lets perspiration vapor escape. Flex-Zone Venting, a series of strategically placed vents in the forefoot, allows the boot to breathe and move naturally with your feet. Flex-Zone in the Achilles areas enhances your natural stepping motion while a high-performance polyurethane midsole and Air Active insoles provides cushioning and support. And you’ll appreciate the over-sized gusset that opens wide for easy on and off; no more struggling to pull them on at the start or kick them off at the end of the day. The Meindl Duo-DUR III Sole, with aggressive multi-directional lugs, provides traction and stable footing on a variety of terrain types. Featuring 300 grams of high-performance GTX Air Fibre® insulation, adding warmth without taking on unnecessary weight. Every day, every man, every woman – these are your boots. Also available in an uninsulated and women’s model. Made In Europe.”
First Impressions: Meindl EuroLight Hunter 300
My honest first impression of the Meindl EuroLight 300 was a little bit of sticker shock. Now, this is coming from someone who has worn the same pair of worn-out hunting boots for years, maybe even a decade. It’s been a while since I bought a pair and mine were never touted as having any real quality or perks built in. On top of that I should mention did not buy these. These are a T&E sample to try out for review. I was excited to see if these lived up to the price tag.
Let’s start with opening the box. Right off the bat these boots literally smelled legitimate. I realize that may come off as silly but it’s true. It wasn’t a cheap Walmart special plastic smell. It was leather and clean smelling. The leather itself was very uniform in appearance but not in a fake sense. The toe cap and rubber portions were unscuffed and proper. The mesh at the back felt light and soft. Looking inside the boots themselves they displayed a pretty typical insulated/waterproof interior plus a Meindl sole.
First time trying them on they felt a little tight and a little front-heavy, very minimal though. Driving felt funny with them. Walking felt odd. All the new footwear gripes you’ll have on the first day. I suppose the main takeaway from the first time trying them on is I REALLY liked how they lace up and how the speed hooks/lace hooks (whatever they are called) went all the way down to the foot itself.
Out and About: Meindl EuroLight Hunter 300
Diving into the out-and-about portion of my boot journey. I wanted these puppies back in November for deer hunting here in Minnesota but it was not cold nor did it snow so I shelved it for the couple of cold bouts we had later on at the beginning of the year. The first chance I got I laced up and went out for a range session and had to trudge through a lot of ankle-high snow.
It’s hard to harp on things too terribly beyond the facts. These boots kept my feet warm and dry in single-digit weather. There was no leakage and they kept tight to my ankles so no snow crept in from above and spoiled the trek.
The feel broke in really quick in a good way. This size fits my feet really well. They are in fact very light compared to a traditional insulated boot. Even with a pile of snow on top of them, my legs did not get tired because there wasn’t a huge weight on my feet.
The leather portions of the boot wore in an authentic way. They got scuffed and scratched but it added to the good rugged look that these boots give off and on top of that a simple brush down or cleaning restored signs of wear.
They were breathable all day long. I wore them out and about all day for several days and never felt like my feet were getting tired or gross from prolonged walking and trudging. My favorite feature has to be the speed hooks. Not just for lacing up but also for taking them off. Everyone knows the feeling of struggling to get their boot off after a long day. With these, it’s a breeze since the hooks go down to the foot.
Conclusion: Meindl EuroLight Hunter 300
So are they worth the price? To me, heck yes. It’s hard to drop a lot of money on a pair of boots but this experience sold me. It’s worth it and from the month of wearing these around here and there, I know they would last. They supported my ankles, kept my feet comfortable, and arguably above all they kept me warm and dry. These lightweight boots are a must for hiking, hunting, and all-around outdoor goings on. I’m very impressed and I highly recommend them.
In closing, I want to say thank you to Meindl for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out their EuroLight Hunter 300 Boots. That is always greatly appreciated. The last question that remains is what do you think? Is the EuroLight Hunter 300 Boot something you would be willing to invest your money on? Would you use them for hunting? go on an all-weather type hike? Let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.
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