2025 gear review...what worked and what didn't?

I bought a pair of Meindel boots. They claim to be the most comfortable boots out of the box. I hate them. My heel blistered on the first day, and they have given me a blister on every day since. Not to mention they are just really uncomfortable. I am starting the process of looking for a new pair of boots that is 100% water proof and comfortable. Right now I am considering Hokas?? Keens?? Or Salomons?? Any experience with these or any other brand boots that anyone would share would be appreciated. My body and feet aren't young anymore and deserve to be pampered as much as possible.
 
Drew said:
I bought a pair of Meindel boots. They claim to be the most comfortable boots out of the box. I hate them. My heel blistered on the first day, and they have given me a blister on every day since. Not to mention they are just really uncomfortable. I am starting the process of looking for a new pair of boots that is 100% water proof and comfortable. Right now I am considering Hokas?? Keens?? Or Salomons?? Any experience with these or any other brand boots that anyone would share would be appreciated. My body and feet aren't young anymore and deserve to be pampered as much as possible.
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Drew,

I have said it multiple times before on this forum that I absolutely LOVE my Crispi Idaho GTX II boots and would love to get another pair from Crispi, but their new Upland boots.
 
Drew said:
I bought a pair of Meindel boots. They claim to be the most comfortable boots out of the box. I hate them. My heel blistered on the first day, and they have given me a blister on every day since. Not to mention they are just really uncomfortable. I am starting the process of looking for a new pair of boots that is 100% water proof and comfortable. Right now I am considering Hokas?? Keens?? Or Salomons?? Any experience with these or any other brand boots that anyone would share would be appreciated. My body and feet aren't young anymore and deserve to be pampered as much as possible.
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I love my Meindls. I'm in my 3rd season with the Comfort Fit Hunter, uninsulated. It's unfortunate that they aren't working for you. Just goes to show how individual boots and shoes can be. Which model do you have?
 
Speaking from a lifetime of heel issues—- Duct tape on the heels, works as a prevention if you’re prone to blisters, but works better than a bandaid if you’re already blistered. Just rip off a 4”??? chunk of it. Center it on heel where blister is/will be, then put on your sock. Now the tape rubs the boot and not your skin. I won’t go on a hunt without some good duct tape in my bag.
 
Drew said:
I bought a pair of Meindel boots. They claim to be the most comfortable boots out of the box. I hate them. My heel blistered on the first day, and they have given me a blister on every day since. Not to mention they are just really uncomfortable. I am starting the process of looking for a new pair of boots that is 100% water proof and comfortable. Right now I am considering Hokas?? Keens?? Or Salomons?? Any experience with these or any other brand boots that anyone would share would be appreciated. My body and feet aren't young anymore and deserve to be pampered as much as possible.
Click to expand...
I just bought my first pair of Danner boots, and I really like them. Comfortable, waterproof, and rugged. I only paid $110. Excellent deal.
 
About 3 years ago decided to spend more on boots than my standard Wingshooters. Bought Meindle’s. So did my hunting buddy. Not been a good experience. Rubber toe guard falling off. Both sent the first pair back after 10’days of hunting. Now just shoe glue them and live with it. I will say they are waterproof and then some. Not as comfortable as my wingshooters. Next time in The market may try the Crispi Upland.
 
I have both the Meindel Ultra lights and the Hoka’s. They both work really good for me. I wear the Meindel’s in the morning for the heavy part of the walking day and if it’s dry and no snow, I wear the Hoka’s for the afternoon hunt. Super light and comfy
 
Bob Peters said:
Sometimes I wonder when a guy drops $$$ on a purchase, how much of that is retail therapy, how much of the review is confirmation bias? Dropping 400 bones on a pair of boots or near that on a vest. Then of course "they're the best ever!" I suppose sometimes they are. Other times they're not, but you've kept up with the jones'.
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I purchased a pair of wingshooter boots last fall to be cool and keep up with the jones. Worst boot I’ve owned. Tossed them in the trash last week and bought another pair of crispi.
 
Glock said:
I purchased a pair of wingshooter boots last fall to be cool and keep up with the jones. Worst boot I’ve owned. Tossed them in the trash last week and bought another pair of crispi.
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I switched to Crispi after wearing Filson Uplander boots for years. I thought they were great until I wore the Crispi boots! The Filson are heavy and don't have near the comfort or support. I imagine the Filson are similar to the Wingshooter boots.
 
cheesy said:
Speaking from a lifetime of heel issues—- Duct tape on the heels, works as a prevention if you’re prone to blisters, but works better than a bandaid if you’re already blistered. Just rip off a 4”??? chunk of it. Center it on heel where blister is/will be, then put on your sock. Now the tape rubs the boot and not your skin. I won’t go on a hunt without some good duct tape in my bag.
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I use this tape. Best stuff going for feet and blister prevention.

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Chessie 67 said:
I have both the Meindel Ultra lights and the Hoka’s. They both work really good for me. I wear the Meindel’s in the morning for the heavy part of the walking day and if it’s dry and no snow, I wear the Hoka’s for the afternoon hunt. Super light and comfy
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I still have my 1st pair of Meindle Ultralight's. Wore them yesterday. Still feel good but leak now if it's wet. I have another pair that I've worn a couple times to make sure there's no hot spots. I don't see them on their website, but they have Euro Lites that will be my next pair.
 
Bob Peters said:
Sometimes I wonder when a guy drops $$$ on a purchase, how much of that is retail therapy, how much of the review is confirmation bias? Dropping 400 bones on a pair of boots or near that on a vest. Then of course "they're the best ever!" I suppose sometimes they are. Other times they're not, but you've kept up with the jones'.
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I have all that shit and bullets too. Thank god I don’t have to drive 14 hrs to shoot a flippin pheasant.
 
LC Smith said:
I switched to Crispi after wearing Filson Uplander boots for years. I thought they were great until I wore the Crispi boots! The Filson are heavy and don't have near the comfort or support. I imagine the Filson are similar to the Wingshooter boots.
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I had similar findings. I suspect boots are like shotguns, no one make/model fits everyone.
 
I have always said quality only hurts once. I tend to be very cautious on my purchases until i have read real field reports from folks like you and yes I do take what i read with a grain of salt. My new purchases this year:

CZ Teal sxs 28 gauge - learning to shoot it, love the weight but sheard the front bead off in the grouse woods, so working on getting it fixed.
Alpha 300 & 2 TT 25 Collars - I was very reluctant to buy a gps collar, it has been a game changer for my 11yo Britt who has lost most of her hearing we now can communicate better and she will just wait for me to find her if see isn't sure where I am, huge safe factor too. I will be buying a third collar for my upcoming western trip so I can run all three dogs together, then I will gift one collar to my son. Still learning the functions but I really like it and it has for the time being reduced the need for bells or beepers. Need to figure out how to connect to my watch.
McAllister Upland Shirts - I have bought a few of these for primarily the grouse woods as these are warm weather shirts, they are well made, nice magnet pockets. They often have these on sale so that is when I buy them. These replaced my Beratta Game shirt that I used religously for close to 20 years until it became so thin i would tear in high wind. Highly recommend McAllister.
Pyke Upland Pants - Thought I would try these as they had a great deal during Pheasant Fest, basically 2 for one so i bought one of each Tongass and Dakota. These are pretty good pants one is lighter weight than the other, reinforced fronts and water repellant they seem a bit tight in the legs but I have been happy with them. They are a Michigan company so like to support them.

I'm fortunate to be able to get pro deals or guide deals for many brands either from my work and being a first responder as well as having a guiding business. As I said earlier quality only hurts once but i hate paying full price. I'm still stuck in the 80/90s for pricing on outdoor gear and really cant stomach the price for boots that i've had but now are $400 just because, they haven't changed from when I paid less than a hundred for them in the early 90s. I think that is all the big stuff that i have purchased this year for hunting.
 
Miforester said:
I have always said quality only hurts once. I tend to be very cautious on my purchases until i have read real field reports from folks like you and yes I do take what i read with a grain of salt. My new purchases this year:

CZ Teal sxs 28 gauge - learning to shoot it, love the weight but sheard the front bead off in the grouse woods, so working on getting it fixed.
Alpha 300 & 2 TT 25 Collars - I was very reluctant to buy a gps collar, it has been a game changer for my 11yo Britt who has lost most of her hearing we now can communicate better and she will just wait for me to find her if see isn't sure where I am, huge safe factor too. I will be buying a third collar for my upcoming western trip so I can run all three dogs together, then I will gift one collar to my son. Still learning the functions but I really like it and it has for the time being reduced the need for bells or beepers. Need to figure out how to connect to my watch.
McAllister Upland Shirts - I have bought a few of these for primarily the grouse woods as these are warm weather shirts, they are well made, nice magnet pockets. They often have these on sale so that is when I buy them. These replaced my Beratta Game shirt that I used religously for close to 20 years until it became so thin i would tear in high wind. Highly recommend McAllister.
Pyke Upland Pants - Thought I would try these as they had a great deal during Pheasant Fest, basically 2 for one so i bought one of each Tongass and Dakota. These are pretty good pants one is lighter weight than the other, reinforced fronts and water repellant they seem a bit tight in the legs but I have been happy with them. They are a Michigan company so like to support them.

I'm fortunate to be able to get pro deals or guide deals for many brands either from my work and being a first responder as well as having a guiding business. As I said earlier quality only hurts once but i hate paying full price. I'm still stuck in the 80/90s for pricing on outdoor gear and really cant stomach the price for boots that i've had but now are $400 just because, they haven't changed from when I paid less than a hundred for them in the early 90s. I think that is all the big stuff that i have purchased this year for hunting.
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I am really liking my new CZ Teal in 28ga. It is super nice to carry. I seem to shoot it well. The only load I have used so far for pheasants is Federal 1oz of #5 shot in 2 3/4". I have a couple boxes of Golden Pheasant to use as well. I am anxious to shoot ducks with it. I have a few boxes of Boss 2 3/4" and 3" in #4 and #5 shot.
 
LC Smith said:
I am really liking my new CZ Teal in 28ga. It is super nice to carry. I seem to shoot it well. The only load I have used so far for pheasants is Federal 1oz of #5 shot in 2 3/4". I have a couple boxes of Golden Pheasant to use as well. I am anxious to shoot ducks with it. I have a few boxes of Boss 2 3/4" and 3" in #4 and #5 shot.
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I bought Boss Cooper for the 28 in 5's 2 3/4" for the 28 but wasn't able to use since the bead broke. I really like it too.
 
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