Meindl vakuum hunters

[JasonM]

Looking at the vakuum hunter, other than the insulation how would they compare to the lowa evo hunter extreme?

Are the vakuum hunters stiff enough for a bc goat hunt?

 

[ropeup79]

I was torn between the Vakuums and the Himalayas and went with the latter. I like them a lot. I believe they are very similar but the Himalayas have a little thicker leather. Both would compare closer to the Lowa Tibets. The Hunter Evo’s are more comparable to the Comfort-Fit Extremes I believe.

 

[JasonM]

I was torn between the Vakuums and the Himalayas and went with the latter. I like them a lot. I believe they are very similar but the Himalayas have a little thicker leather. Both would compare closer to the Lowa Tibets. The Hunter Evo’s are more comparable to the Comfort-Fit Extremes I believe.

Do you feel the Himalayas are enough boot for a sheep/goat hunt?

 

[bigunit]

My vakuum hunters were crap. The glue on the rand was separating after very light use.

 

[JasonM]

My vakuum hunters were crap. The glue on the rand was separating after very light use.

Interesting. I’ve read a few reviews that had this same issue. The rand on my lowas does it but it’s usually after a few years.

 

[manitou1]

My vacuum hunters are okay for mild terrain or everyday… but they won’t compare to good Scarpa, Lowa, Crispi… or any of my other boots for support and fit.

I know everybody’s feet are different, but my Meindls would be my last choice on a rugged high country hunt.

 

[DenimChicken]

Anyone have a pair of these that the rand hasn't detached? I tried some on and loved the fit. They felt better to me than the Nevadas. I want to try some but if there's no hope for durability, I may go with the Kennetrek Hardscrabble Hikers.

Interesting. I’ve read a few reviews that had this same issue. The rand on my lowas does it but it’s usually after a few years.

This seems to be common across a bunch of manufacturers. The Crispi Briksdal MTN GTX have a bunch of users complaining of rand separation.

 

[JasonM]

This seems to be common across a bunch of manufacturers. The Crispi Briksdal MTN GTX have a bunch of users complaining of rand separation.

They probably all use the same glue and like everything it probably isn’t the same quality as say ten years ago or something

Who knows. But it is frustrating

 

[chtoms]

been using my vakuum hunters the last 2 spring turkey seasons on the east coast - holding up good so far!

 

[ropeup79]

The Himalayas are pretty stiff. I’d feel confident wearing them anywhere here in Wyoming. I did have to super glue a small (1/2”) section of rand but have had no problems since.

 

[ropeup79]

Do you feel the Himalayas are enough boot for a sheep/goat hunt?

For me and my feet, probably. If you want more support I think the Glockner(?) are even more rigid. Lots of good options out there but what fits best is king.

 

[Hoosker Doo]

They probably all use the same glue and like everything it probably isn’t the same quality as say ten years ago or something

Who knows. But it is frustrating

The Himalayas are pretty stiff. I’d feel confident wearing them anywhere here in Wyoming. I did have to super glue a small (1/2”) section of rand but have had no problems since.

I actually bought a pair of the Crispi Briksdal MTN and at just under a year I got a 1/2" of rand separation. I just sent them in for warranty repair, and got them back repaired, but Crispi did inform me that they use SAPBOND shoe glue.

 

[ropeup79]

I actually bought a pair of the Crispi Briksdal MTN and at just under a year I got a 1/2" of rand separation. I just sent them in for warranty repair, and got them back repaired, but Crispi did inform me that they use SAPBOND shoe glue.

I used E6000.

 

[Customweld]

For me and my feet, probably. If you want more support I think the Glockner(?) are even more rigid. Lots of good options out there but what fits best is king.

I've got a pair of the Glockner's. The leather has held up better than other mountain boot that I own. The rest of the boot is junk. The rand has separated all the way around. Before I wore them, I used Aquaseal all the way around the boot, where the rand meets the leather. I do that with all of my mountain boots. But the rand separated anyway. The front of the sole started to peel away as well. They are stiff, but not as stiff as the Schnee's Granite. Wouldn't buy them again.

 

[steelheadmike]

I'm on my 2nd pair of Vakuum Hunter (first pair were the Cabelas Denali). Mine have held up exceptionally well. They are not the stiffest boot out there but not not super soft either. I would say just slightly stiffer than a Crispi Nevada but not as stiff as the Colorado.

I wouldn't care if they fell apart tomorrow, I'd buy another pair in a heartbeat. No other boot fits me as well as the Vakuum's. It's like putting on a pair of old slippers.

 

[KU_Geo]

I think they’ll be fine on a goat hunt with the vakkum hunter. For sure stiffer than crispi nevada. A little less stiff than crispi briksdal. Fit on the Vakkum hunter and Himalaya are the same, so go with the himalaya if you want a bit more burly boot. Rand is higher and leather is a bit thicker on the himalaya. I just ordered both and have them setting here so I could compare. I’m going to use the Vakkum on a NWT sheep hunt this fall.

 

[manitou1]

Vacuum hunters give me almost no ankle support and after wearing for a few hundred yards the feel like paper sacks on my feet.
I have used, and still use some of these… and the Meindls are dead last for mountain hunting for me:
Schnees beartooth, Lowa Camino, Lowa Tibet, Scarpa, Crispi Colorado, Hoffman Explorer, Zamberlan GTX, Whites, Meindl perfect hunter, Meindl Vacuum hunter.

All feet are different and all people’s preferences are different. I do live in the mountain West, so I have the opportunity to use the boots quite a bit.

 

[JasonM]

Definitely differing experiences on these boots.

Lowa evo hunter extremes work well for me. I was kinda looking to see what else might work equally as good or better. I do have a pair of meindl lite hikers that I’ve beat the bat snot out of over the past 5 or 6 years and they are still going strong, I don’t think they are robust enough for a mountain hunt.

other boots I’ve been looking at are the Meindl alpine pro 200, schnee granite, lowa alpine experts and lastly the Scarpa ribelle HD.

 

[ropeup79]

Definitely differing experiences on these boots.

Lowa evo hunter extremes work well for me. I was kinda looking to see what else might work equally as good or better. I do have a pair of meindl lite hikers that I’ve beat the bat snot out of over the past 5 or 6 years and they are still going strong, I don’t think they are robust enough for a mountain hunt.

other boots I’ve been looking at are the Meindl alpine pro 200, schnee granite, lowa alpine experts and lastly the Scarpa ribelle HD.

Sierra Trading Post has the Lowa Tibet Highs and the Hunters for a great price if they have your size.

 

[toddh]

My rand on my Meindl's cracked really bad in a couple years. But I love the comfort of the boot.