Each boot has a spot in your footwear quiver. From uninsulated early-season boots to all-in, heavy-packed snow machines, year-round hunters have a tendency to vary their proverbial tires, pending the chase and situations.
Billed as your new EDC boot, the EuroLight will get you within the area quick and canopy sufficient journey classes to filter a number of outdated boot areas in your closet. Whereas not constructed to cowl your pursuits afield throughout your entire spectrum of alternative, the Meindl EuroLight Hunter 300 boots comfortably tackle many wants smack in the course of higher-frequency and medium-to-lower-demand hunts.
In brief: The Meindl EuroLight 300 scratches the itch for a well-built conventional leather-based boot that covers many light-to-medium obligation chilly climate hunts and on a regular basis put on in colder climates. They may not be your first alternative for a mountaineering-level hunt, however they’re an awesome possibility for lovers of a snug all-around boot.
-
Weight
3.4 lbs. -
Insulation
300g GORE-TEX AIRFIBER -
Uppers
9″ waxed full-grain Nubuck leather-based -
Lining
GORE-TEX -
Venting
Flex-Zone -
Ranking
AB Flex
-
Light-weight for a leather-based boot -
Comfortable out of the field -
Sturdy and well-built
-
Dear for a lighter-duty boot
Meindl EuroLight Hunter 300 Assessment
Overview
The Meindl Eurolight Hunter 300s simplify the rugged, mountaineering spirit the model is understood for. It offers a utilitarian improve for these stepping up (pun undoubtedly meant) their boot recreation from Grandpa’s traditional leather-based hikers.
The EuroLight Hunter 300s are listed at 3.4 kilos on the Meindl web site. The insulated 300s I examined weighed 3.5 kilos for the pair. In equity, I didn’t get all of the stones out of the only and dirt off the perimeters earlier than they hit the size.
They characteristic the Meindl Duo-DUR III sole and get their title from the 300 g of GORE-TEX AIRFIBER insulation that provides these boots their light-weight loft. The 9-inch waxed full-grain Nubuck leather-based uppers laced up simply and supplied loads of assist, particularly for a boot with loads of flex within the sole.
The EuroLights are an “AB” on Meindl’s flex-use ranking scale, its “mild climbing” ranking. I seen instantly how comfortable they have been. These boots didn’t require any intensive break-in and have been up for lower-impact adventures straight out of the field.
I wouldn’t say these boots match loosely, however I used to be stunned by how a lot room they allowed within the forefoot whereas nonetheless remaining supportive. I’ve seen loads of Euro-built boots lean into the squeeze-the-hell-out-of-your-foot design for the sake of assist. These preserve the expectation of high quality for a European boot whereas additionally permitting your foot to operate extra naturally than it will be crammed right into a wannabe rock-climbing shoe.
The GORE-TEX lining carried out precisely as anticipated (no have to reinvent a rattling good wheel), and the Flex-Zone venting was surprisingly noticeable. I used to be impressed at how properly these boots each breathed and supplied heat when exercise slowed down.
My Expertise
I historically function on a three-shoe system throughout searching season:
- A lightweight, artificial hiker or working shoe for the early season
- An uninsulated leather-based boot as soon as temps stabilize and the miles improve
- A heavy pac boot when temps plummet
I haven’t left a lot room for reinterpretation within the plan over the previous few years. So, I used to be excited to get out of my shell and run these boots by their paces.
Montana had a frustratingly bizarre climate sample this fall. We obtained blasted with snow in late October and early November. Then, most of it melted off and didn’t return for months besides in glimpses. A number of late-October bowhunts and an early-November pronghorn hunt stand out to me when these boots actually shined.
The EuroLight Hunters have been the right match for a mixed-activity hunt. I spent fairly a number of hunts on my mountain bike, and I used to be pleasantly stunned that the boots breathed sufficient that my toes weren’t soaked after I reached the blind.
The 300g of GORE-TEX AIRFIBER saved my toes heat as soon as I settled into my chair for the night sit. They supplied sufficient assist whereas packing out my spouse’s antelope, and even after searching season wrapped, these boots crushed cold-weather household hikes on blended terrain.
The place the EuroLight Hunter 300 Might Enhance
This boot actually does all the things Meindl has made it for. The one actual gripe is likely to be on the register. Ringing in at over $300 may sting for these hunters who could require greater demand or these chasing recreation in harsher situations.
That being stated, for these of us who don’t have side-hilling mountains to climb in our pursuits, that price ticket is likely to be a better capsule to swallow. For those who’re a primarily rugged mountain hunter, these won’t be the finest boots on your buck.
Meindl EuroLight Hunter 300 Boot: Conclusion
If I needed to do it over, I’d go for the uninsulated model. I’d get many extra days out of them. I’ve traditionally been a zero-insulation or all-of-the-insulation man. For me, I really feel like there’s extra versatility in this type of boot with out insulation.
Nevertheless, for the area of interest these boots crammed in my searching season, they crammed it properly. These can be an awesome possibility for lovers of an insulated all-around boot. Taking a look at you, cold-weather flatlanders …
