Meindl Burma Pro MFS Walking Boots - Product Review / Walking Gear Test

	Burma Pro MFS Walking Boot
	Vital Statistics: Sizes: UK 6-12 (women's sizes available) Weight: 1580g SRP: £140.00

Features to Note:

• Outer Material: Nubuck Leather
• Outer Sole: Meindl Vibram Karisimbi Multigriff
• Lining: Gore-Tex
• Goretex lining to provide waterproofness
• Memory foam fit so boot 'moulds' itself to your foot/ankle shape!
• Easy lacing eyes

In-use Test:

Our testing for the Meindl Burma Pro MFS Walking Boots was over several long day walks in the Lake District and the Cairngorms.

The relatively high ankle cut plus generous padding around ankle cuff and throughout length of tongue meant that these boots were immediately comfortable. And they remained so on subsequent day's walking. Both toes and heels are well protected and there is excellent support both laterally and longitudinally. From the Vibram sole, there was also excellent grip on grass, mud and rock. The lacing system is very good - the eyelets are placed well - so the boots are easy to get on and off. My feet were kept warm and dry throughout the test. There is also a good rubber rand to protect the boot upper from scuffs and scrapes.

Despite the level of functionality, they are relatively light-weight.

The only negative comment I have about them is that the goretex lining may make the boots hot in summer. However, I think the performance overall outweighs this.

Buying Advice:

Excellent performance albeit at a reasonably hefty price. Worth it though if your walking is mostly in the high mountains. However, I have also used the Meindl Burma Pro MFS Walking Boots for lower level walks and found them to be equally at home in this terrain.

They are not officially 'badged' as crampon compatible. However, I have used them with flexible crampons for short periods of time.

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Where to buy:

What do you think?

Have you got/bought Meindl Burma Pro MFS Walking Boots?

We would love to hear what you thought of it - good, bad or indifferent. Perhaps you simply disagree with our verdict - or feel we've neglected an important feature.

Let us know by clicking this link - What I think of Meindl Burma Pro MFS Walking Boots - so we can publish your important views below.

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• What a boot! I had my first pair of Meindl boots in 1997 and these were the Borneo type. These boots have now worn to such an extent that the welt is cracked and the leather has finally gone through on the major crease points. This is down to a hot dry week in spanish river beds and not looking after them at this time! I have replaced them with the Burmas and they are just famtastic. Comfortable out of the box, had a good few days in wales in the snow this winter and yes - they are quite happy in my Grivel G10's when required. Although they are not labelled as crampon compatible fear not, they work fine. Although pricey, there are deals to be had (I got mine for around £150). :-)

Samuel Pointon, Staffordshire

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• I have had my Burmas now for just over a year now. They are the most comfortable pair of walking boots I have had in more than 40 years walking in Britain and Europe. They are not the cheapest boot around, but I think they are worth every penny. These were my first pair of Burmas but they certainly will not be the last.

Ken Hanks, Banbury

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• I have just bought my second pair after just 18mths. They have given me a reasonable amount ware [wear], and have proved to be an excellent walking boot. I have done all types of walking, averaging about 15 miles a week, a really top class boot. However, although I maintained them as instructed, the leather on my left boot, about my big toe area, showed signs of cracking after just 12 months, most disappointing. The Gorte-Tex lining at the same point I have worn through with my big toe, hence they are no longer waterproof. Why did I but a second pair one may ask, well they are a top class walking boot, and were the most suitable for my feet.

Peter Hingley, Bromsgrove

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• I purchased a pair of Meindl Burma boots in 1999 and spend on average about 25 days a year walking. I have worn my boots from the Somerset levels to Torridon and they have kept my feet dry and comfortable from day 1. It now after 13 years that they show signs of wear where the leather meets the rand but they are still waterproof, a trip to Perthshire this year confirms. I will consign my present boots to being my second pair after I have purchased another pair of Burma Pro.

Bernie Cook, Taunton

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• I purchased a pair of these boots in January prior to my planned trek to Everest base camp in March this year. After " running them in" walking around the perimeter of Richmond Park a few times I was ready for my trip to Nepal. I wore the boots on a 4 day trek in the Annapurna Range where I experienced heavy rain and snow. The 14 day trek in the Himalayas was dry but extremely cold. I can report that the boots were comfortable and kept my feet dry and warm. They also gave good support for the long downhill journey. Whilst in Nepal I visited Chitwan National Park for 4 days and used the boots for an on foot safari in the jungle. Even with temperatures in the 30's the boots were comfortable. I would heartily recommend them.

Malcolm Chevin, London

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• I have just bought my 3rd pair of these boots, they tend to last me 3 yrs then are relegated to 2nd place and last another few years with reheeling. The ankle support is marvellous and I walk over all terrain doing about 1500m a year. I use meindl sportwax on them and wouldnt wear anything else. Also when trampled by 20 cows who broke my ankle when they rolled over me and stamped on my feet in 2006, these boots saved my feet and kept the bones in position so i could walk a mile to the next village.....did have to use a screwdriver to open the metal clips to undo the boots tho ha ha.

Di Farrell, Lincoln

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• My Raichle's (v comfortable) wore out and I tried several different boots which rubbed my feet in assorted places until I finally bought these. In the women's version the heel section holds my heel properly and the boot was comfortable from the first day, though more comfortable after several months regular walking. Excellent waterproofing and grip and I really like the easy to use lacing system. Good on both rock and bog though not ideal on mud as cleats collect the mud to form a heavy sliding mass - however, all boots would probably suffer from this. Wales is unavoidably muddy in winter (and often in summer too) - sigh.

Lesley Jones, Cardiff

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• I bought these boots about 6 months ago ready to break in for my trip to Kilimanjao in December. I have traditionally bought cheaper boots but thought i should invest in the best for my trip. I went hiking for three days in Bulgaria and found the leather was coming away for the side of the sole not great considering i'd paid £175. Meindl have sent some replacements so i'll see how I go and write another review post Kili.

Sian Griffiths, Burton-on-trent

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• Since my last review I've clocked up many, many more miles with weekend walking and some walking holidays in Snowdonia and Pembrokeshire, including 12 solid days on Offa's Dyke Path and my Burma Pro's performed well. Even with load-carrying. No blisters. No wear and tear on the boots. The leather is bearing up and so is the rubber and sole. The laces are still as sound as when bought. Pretty good I must say.

Jeremy Bolwell, Ludlow, Shropshire

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• I bought these in January 2010 and find the tongue too bulky on the instep (only on one side of the tongue of one boot). After a few hours walking it digs in and no matter how I adjust it it sits bulky against my instep. In speaking to a walker on Sunday they said they had the same problem, I still mean to go back with them but the place I bought them is some distance away and they are probably too well used to return now.

Mary Laird, Scotland

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• I've owned these boots for almost three years now, and in that time have walked miles in many different terrains, from the flat fields and gentle slopes of the Gloucestershire countryside to the fells and rough tracks of Cumbria and more. In all those miles, the boots have always felt as comfortable as the day I tried them on in the shop. The only footwear I own that is more comfortable are my trusty old slippers - but they aren't waterproof, rugged and won't protect my ankles as effectively as these boots. When these boots (eventually) wear out, I will most certainly be buying the same again.

Bernie Pottrell, Bristol

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• Well now. Ive had my boots for about 1 year now (ish). From the very day i put them i've had no problems whatso ever. Trekking up The Cheviot in the thick peat - no problem, just come home and scrub them down with hard brush then apply some leder gris. They are comfortable, warm, dry and give you loads of confidence (sometimes i think i am wearing indestructible footwear). Can't fault them.

Chris Orrick, Newcastle Upon Tyne

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• Great grade of soft but hard wearing leather, nice rubber welts to prevent toe scuffs etc, MFS (memory foam system) seems to work making a comfy interior, good vibram sole for grip going up and downslope, 2 kilos per boot so light also.

I've had mine six months and no leaks, no quibbles right through autumn and winter. The gore tex lining means you can get some damp from sweat so for thru-hiking (for me anyway) they need airing daily. I will update after another six months. In summary : you gets what you pay for.

Jeremy Bolwell, Ludlow, Shropshire

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• Bought my first pair of Meindl Boots back in 1995, they have had good wear and tear in my walking years and ready to buy my second pair.

Sandra Hindley, Lancashire

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• Purchased last week .Worn once walking in Mourne Mountains. Wide variety of terraine. Found them instantly comfortable and remained so for duration of walk. 4/5 hours.Early days however very impressed.

John Lowndes, Belfast

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• I walked up Y Garn in Snowdonia with these boots straight out of the box (3000ft). No blisters. Amazing boots, very comfortable. Crossed a stream with no problems. Walked on wet rock with no problems. Very good boot.

Craig Kemp, Liverpool

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• Superb boot. Although quite expensive they are worth every penny. Great ankle support and totally waterproof. But the biggest plus is the comfort. From the first time I wore them they felt as though they were hand made. The MFS system makes them incredibly comfortable. Would recommend them to anyone who wants a complete walking system on their feet!

Mike Morris, Manchester