Bought them once. Fell apart less than a year. My favorite now are the Hoffman back country. Same platform but they have the hiker soul instead of a logger heal. Great to climb in and stay dry. Not as clunky as mendl and great ankle support
Thanks for the great review Jason! I'm looking for a good boot right now, leaning towards the Hoffman's. I'm a Lineman in Southern California, but started in West Texas. Thanks again
Really like the Sporti's. The full steel shank ads superb rigidity while the softer sole compound gives the boot traction in wet weather and rougher terrain. Wish the were waterproof. Thinking about trying the 6 inch Meindels, not sure if they'd be worth the extra 100$.
Hey, thanks for the video. Which of these would you say is the BEST for STRICTLY climbing? I also own the Hoffman power dry line or whatever they're called, I can't say that I recommend them for climbing.. The arches of my feet just get destroyed after 1+ hr on the pole. I need a pair of boots for climbing all day, everyday.. Any input is appreciated, thanks.
Art I was a cell tower climber, I know its different than being a lineman but I work in substations now, and I loved my danner super rain forests the sole on the is very thick and rigid, was great climbing on the tower all day, and very water proof. Hope maybe that helps, but I'm looking at the meindls for my next pair of work boots
I'm curious to know how the padding feels on your calves. Do they rub at all (if/when) your socks fall lower. What material is it? Being so high, I'd imagine they would rub if you don't have really tall socks. My current ones do and it really bugs me. Thanks
Good question. I use Buckingham hooks and Velcro straps/pads for my hooks. I just plain Jane Costco "work" socks (how they advertise them) With the little black and red stripe going across the toes. the are a regular tube sock that come up the the bottom of my calf. Hot days, I'll wear some Adidas socks ... also from Costco (see a pattern here lol) that come to the same height on my calf. Colder days I'll wear you basic wool hunting sock from Cabela's, Academy, Dick's, Army Surplus store or what have you. All these socks come ABOVE the Meindle boot tops. Now, I pull the sock tight up when I put them on, but they all have no issue getting to the top of the boot. As for rubbing, I have had no issue. The Meindle's are really good (so far) and keeping a tight boot up top. I took care in lining up the tongue when I first got them, and believe that has helped in this regard. They are only a 10" boot, and I don't wear knee high socks, my socks generally don't fall down in my boot and I have no calf rubbing. I have bigger calves from being a catcher on my college baseball team for years and my natural build, still no issues. hope this helps.
Thank you for a very descriptive look at all three boots. I tried on the La sportivas this morning and didn't like them at all. Too narrow everywhere, no wide sizes, no water proofing, ( I assumed there would be) and that stupid removable pad for the toungue guard. They also just seemed cheaply made, I suspected the rubber would separate as you've shown. Think I'll pay the extra $ and get the meindl/hoffmans. Was the sizing for the meindl the same as the other hoffmans? I have had the pole climbers before and they were a bit smalll if anything. The band you mentioned was on them too. Hurt like hell for a couple months. Do the Meindls have that?
I agree with you on the Sportivas. So the Hoffman Meindle's size the same as any Hoffman boot. So if you know that size, you'll be fine. The Meindl's I am very happy to say did NOT have that foot tendon issue for me what so ever.
Hello Sir and viewers, good info. much better than cheesy monotone reviews, I need to get some linesman boots how do you feel about wesco and chippewa mids? Thanks much.
I have heard nothing but good things about Wesco Boots. I have yet to own a pair but I can see they hold up to the conditions. Chippewa boots are OK at best. The water proofing in a pair I had years ago wore out quick and the comfort was eh. However, if your on the budget boot train, the Chippewa's would not be a bad choice. Just make sure they fit your foot with the arch you will or won't need.
Man, that has A LOT variables and consideration. For example: Do you live where it is wet or rains a lot Do you hike in a lot Is it just flat hot Those questions will answer what “model” of the company you go with Line school, you going to climb and climb some more. The boot companies I like are Hoffman, Whites Now that being said, you can climb in something like an Ariat work boot (I have a lot) What I climb in now are my Zamberlin Lynx boots. They are a hunting/mountaineering boot. If you go that route the ones I like are Zamerlin, Scarpa, and Alanso’s. La Sportiva’s are great to climb in, but about useless in durability and waterproofing So A’s you can see, there a lot of options, for school and work after school Hoffman and Whites get my vote. You’ll need Saftey toe, get composite if you can. And whatever boot you go with, you will not need a boot over 12” tall, I like 10” boots
I still have them though they are not my everyday boot now I would give them B rating on toughness D on weight A in the hooks B+ on comfort B+ on water proofing (when new)
No My hi liners are size 10, if I remember right I called Hoffman and asked and they said order a 1/2 smaller... My meindls are 9 1/2 and fit great. I'd call Hoffman to verify.
Don't know why the English say Mendle, instead of Meindle. It’s a German brand. You should pronounce the "ei" the same as... well as... "Mein kampf", for instance.
+f lotars Well to answer your question..... I"m American, not English, but you are correct in the pronunciation. The other reason is because we are across the pond and do not have much direct contact with Europe and it's vast languages and Nations. But thank you for the clarification on the pronunciation.
I always shout out loud some random words with a German accent, like MEIN, SCHNELLER, SAUERKRAUT, AUFMACHEN, MEINDL!!!, then I know I have right pronunciation.
I’ve been wearing Meindl’s for the past 5 years, they have been amazing. Comfortable, dry and protective.
Bought them once. Fell apart less than a year. My favorite now are the Hoffman back country. Same platform but they have the hiker soul instead of a logger heal. Great to climb in and stay dry. Not as clunky as mendl and great ankle support
I can’t find this back country boot on their site.
Thanks for the great review Jason! I'm looking for a good boot right now, leaning towards the Hoffman's. I'm a Lineman in Southern California, but started in West Texas. Thanks again
Robert Esparza Hoffman's are great, made in Idaho! 👍🏼
Being in So Cal I will tell you I bet both Will be warm just FYI
Just got this boot for fires and have the same boot but with calks for falling timber. Great boot! Nice review. Thanks!
Thank you, good luck fighting this year. Let us know how they do in that trade.
Nice. Mid Texas. I was down in Texas at lazy q line school. Don’t miss the weather.
I don’t miss the humidity or the chiggers
But I do miss the people and What-a-Burger
Ordering a pair of Makalu's this week, I hope they work out.
Ive got 8 more yrs in the truck then retirement. Just wanted to try something different.
larry sylvester lets us know they work out for you. Keep up the good work sir.
I will. Thanks for the posting this.
Really like the Sporti's. The full steel shank ads superb rigidity while the softer sole compound gives the boot traction in wet weather and rougher terrain.
Wish the were waterproof. Thinking about trying the 6 inch Meindels, not sure if they'd be worth the extra 100$.
@@larrysylvester1017 Hey sir, been sometime now -- do you still like the Makalus? I need a pair of boots strictly for pole climbing
@@ExtremeWassabi . Yes love them, great climbing boots. A little rough on the ground because of the full steel shank. But yeah, you should love them.
Good video, im looking for new boots and i might get those meindls!
Hey, thanks for the video. Which of these would you say is the BEST for STRICTLY climbing? I also own the Hoffman power dry line or whatever they're called, I can't say that I recommend them for climbing.. The arches of my feet just get destroyed after 1+ hr on the pole. I need a pair of boots for climbing all day, everyday.. Any input is appreciated, thanks.
Art I was a cell tower climber, I know its different than being a lineman but I work in substations now, and I loved my danner super rain forests the sole on the is very thick and rigid, was great climbing on the tower all day, and very water proof. Hope maybe that helps, but I'm looking at the meindls for my next pair of work boots
Thank you for the input, I'll be sure to look those up as well. Take care.
I'm curious to know how the padding feels on your calves. Do they rub at all (if/when) your socks fall lower. What material is it? Being so high, I'd imagine they would rub if you don't have really tall socks. My current ones do and it really bugs me. Thanks
Good question. I use Buckingham hooks and Velcro straps/pads for my hooks.
I just plain Jane Costco "work" socks (how they advertise them) With the little black and red stripe going across the toes. the are a regular tube sock that come up the the bottom of my calf. Hot days, I'll wear some Adidas socks ... also from Costco (see a pattern here lol) that come to the same height on my calf. Colder days I'll wear you basic wool hunting sock from Cabela's, Academy, Dick's, Army Surplus store or what have you. All these socks come ABOVE the Meindle boot tops. Now, I pull the sock tight up when I put them on, but they all have no issue getting to the top of the boot. As for rubbing, I have had no issue. The Meindle's are really good (so far) and keeping a tight boot up top. I took care in lining up the tongue when I first got them, and believe that has helped in this regard. They are only a 10" boot, and I don't wear knee high socks, my socks generally don't fall down in my boot and I have no calf rubbing. I have bigger calves from being a catcher on my college baseball team for years and my natural build, still no issues. hope this helps.
Are you still using meindl for line work?
Thanks for the Miendle review!
Thank you for a very descriptive look at all three boots. I tried on the La sportivas this morning and didn't like them at all. Too narrow everywhere, no wide sizes, no water proofing, ( I assumed there would be) and that stupid removable pad for the toungue guard. They also just seemed cheaply made, I suspected the rubber would separate as you've shown. Think I'll pay the extra $ and get the meindl/hoffmans. Was the sizing for the meindl the same as the other hoffmans? I have had the pole climbers before and they were a bit smalll if anything. The band you mentioned was on them too. Hurt like hell for a couple months. Do the Meindls have that?
I agree with you on the Sportivas. So the Hoffman Meindle's size the same as any Hoffman boot. So if you know that size, you'll be fine. The Meindl's I am very happy to say did NOT have that foot tendon issue for me what so ever.
I’m looking at the Hoffman classic. What’s everyone’s thoughts.
Heavy, clunky, tough, good to climb in with ok waterproofing
Hey bud, did you get your normal size with the Meindls or go down half a size like Hoffmann website suggests?
Yeah I got normal size
👍 right on thanks
Hello Sir and viewers, good info. much better than cheesy monotone reviews, I need to get some linesman boots how do you feel about wesco and chippewa mids? Thanks much.
I have heard nothing but good things about Wesco Boots. I have yet to own a pair but I can see they hold up to the conditions.
Chippewa boots are OK at best. The water proofing in a pair I had years ago wore out quick and the comfort was eh. However, if your on the budget boot train, the Chippewa's would not be a bad choice. Just make sure they fit your foot with the arch you will or won't need.
@@jasoncox3402 ty much, any thoughts on Carolina Footwear as a decent budget option? Thanks again your video was very informative.
@@abelabner I have had Carolina boots. I would not get them again.
Hey Jason, Great Vid! What model are those Mendle's?
Sorry so late
www.hoffmanboots.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=L.INS.SIERRA
Hey man what do you recommend for a good boot now days? Thinking about going to line school
Man, that has A LOT variables and consideration. For example:
Do you live where it is wet or rains a lot
Do you hike in a lot
Is it just flat hot
Those questions will answer what “model” of the company you go with
Line school, you going to climb and climb some more.
The boot companies I like are Hoffman, Whites
Now that being said, you can climb in something like an Ariat work boot (I have a lot)
What I climb in now are my Zamberlin Lynx boots. They are a hunting/mountaineering boot. If you go that route the ones I like are Zamerlin, Scarpa, and Alanso’s. La Sportiva’s are great to climb in, but about useless in durability and waterproofing
So A’s you can see, there a lot of options, for school and work after school Hoffman and Whites get my vote. You’ll need Saftey toe, get composite if you can. And whatever boot you go with, you will not need a boot over 12” tall, I like 10” boots
@@jasoncox3402 I appreciate you man! I was thinking of the 10" Meindl Eureka Steel Toe Lineman. It’ll be my first boot
What’s up with sizing do they run big or small
I run 9.5 to 10’s, these where true to size at the 10’s I ordered
How did these hold up now as a durability test?
I still have them though they are not my everyday boot now
I would give them
B rating on toughness
D on weight
A in the hooks
B+ on comfort
B+ on water proofing (when new)
What are your everyday boots now?
What specific model are the meindls?
I can’t recall off hand… I’ll check and get back to you
Ace… they would be the 10" Meindl Eureka Steel Toe Lineman they have today
i want those used boots
Ha well I need to get them rebuilt
Do you wear the same size in Meindl as you do in the Hoffman?
No
My hi liners are size 10, if I remember right I called Hoffman and asked and they said order a 1/2 smaller... My meindls are 9 1/2 and fit great. I'd call Hoffman to verify.
Meindl boots are excellent..
Don't know why the English say Mendle, instead of Meindle. It’s a German brand. You should pronounce the "ei" the same as... well as... "Mein kampf", for instance.
+f lotars Well to answer your question..... I"m American, not English, but you are correct in the pronunciation. The other reason is because we are across the pond and do not have much direct contact with Europe and it's vast languages and Nations. But thank you for the clarification on the pronunciation.
I always shout out loud some random words with a German accent, like MEIN, SCHNELLER, SAUERKRAUT, AUFMACHEN, MEINDL!!!, then I know I have right pronunciation.
Got the same boots at climbing school. They’re not Hoffman’s they’re Thorogoods
Buy a pair of alicos and throw that garbage in the trash, best boots ever
Good job buddy, now I'll never buy a pair of alicos
Never seen Alicos hold up over a year, good luck