Many many years ago I found the best boots in the world.
At the time they set me back the princely sum of £154, well, they should have. I was fortunate enough at the time to be working in a Blacks store whilst at university and with my discount they cost around £120.
Absolutely well worth every penny, I don’t even remember having to wear them in. Straight into my DofE (Duke of Edinburgh Award) Gold expedition and then a few expeditions for other Bronze, Silver and Gold expeditions.
Unfortunately whilst I was doing a Wilderness First Aid Course someone thought they would be helpful and dry my boots out for me after the river rescue session – next to the fire. Right next to the fire. Cue slightly shrunken boots which for my flipper feet is not good (I’m not even a good swimmer!!?)
No matter, thinner socks exist and worked for me beautifully, right up until two friends of mine said “Snowdonia in January, coming?”.
I still have all my toes, it just didn’t feel like it at the time.
So, new boots needed, I saved up to buy my replacements.
But! Alas!
The Burma Pro had been discontinued, replaced by the Meindl Bhutan. And they just didn’t fit me as well and so I resisted buying them – again and again.
Still, I wanted to find my perfect boots again. Meindl assured me that the fit of the Bhutan was exactly the same as the Burma Pro but my feet just wouldn’t believe it.
I tried many different brands and styles, the Salomon Quest 4D GTX for example(I am a serious Salomon supporter); beautifully comfortable, really supportive on the ankle, fully waterproof, but the traction just doesn’t compare. Clambering down a route I have done many many times before – with others who have slipped – the Salomons suddenly slid out from under me and I tumbled. Dusty, breathless and with adrenaline coursing through my veins I was somewhat thankful for the rucksack on my back that both caught my fall and stopped me rolling off the ledge.
The secret to Meindl’s amazing grip? Research, they searched high and low, they spoke to the experts. The experts being Ibex.
The Ibex, sure footed and seemingly able to defy gravity with their ability to not just climb but happily stand on near vertical surfaces. So Meindl included the Ibex “hoof technology” in their Multigrip sole.
After having gravity defying grip, it’s hard to tolerate anything else.
But, I found some!! I am the proud owner of a brand spanking new pair of Meindl Burma Pro Lady GTX boots.