The Meindl EuroLight Hunter 300 could be the perfect early-season boot for hunters looking for durability without added weight. It balances lightweight design with stability.
by Zach Bowhay
Back in the early 90s, as a 12-year-old new to hunting, I didn’t have access to what we’d now consider high-end boots. At the start of each season, my dad would pick up $20 pairs of uninsulated, non-waterproof boots for us.
They weren’t the worst in perfect conditions but were far from ideal. We spent a lot of time figuring out how to cross creeks without soaking our feet, and you could forget about ankle support when carrying a load.
We eventually moved on to slightly better boots, but it wasn’t until the early 2000s—when Meindl Boots teamed up with Cabela’s—that I understood what an actual hunting boot could be.
Meindl, a respected name in Europe for decades, had built high-quality boots long before that partnership, but Cabela’s introduced them to American hunters on a large scale. Over the years, I’ve tried several Meindl boots, including their Perfekt Hunter line and my all-time favorite, the Sitka’s. As time passed, other premium brands entered the market, and I explored many of those as well. Though I’m unsure of the exact story behind the Meindl-Cabela’s split—be it corporate changes or something else—the partnership seemed to fade away.
I hadn’t heard much about Meindl in recent years, but last winter, when I found out they were still around and launching new models, I was curious to see what they had to offer.
The EuroLight
The EuroLight comes in insulated (3.3 pounds per pair) and uninsulated (3 pounds per pair) versions, which is remarkable for a boot standing nine inches tall. They feature Gore-Tex insulation, keeping your feet dry in wet conditions, and Flex-Zone Venting, strategically placed in the forefoot, allowing the boot to breathe during long hikes. The Achilles area is also equipped with a Flex-Zone. Flex-Zone ensures that your natural stride remains unaffected by the stiffness often found in boots of this height.
The polyurethane midsole, combined with the Air Active insole, offers a nice balance of cushion and support, reducing foot fatigue on longer treks. The boot’s upper is crafted from waxed, full-grain Nubuck leather, providing durability and comfort. Meindl also incorporated the Duo-DUR III sole, with its multi-directional lugs, designed to provide excellent traction on various surfaces, whether you’re dealing with mud, rocky terrain, or snow.
The Fit
I typically wear a size 13 in regular-width boots, which fit exactly as expected. One common issue with some modern boots is a narrower toe box. Thankfully, that isn’t the case here. The EuroLight provides plenty of space in the toe area, which I always appreciate.
Modern boots often lace further down toward the toe, offering a tighter fit and improved stability. Although the EuroLight doesn’t lace quite as far down as others, I didn’t feel that it compromised stability in any way. Meindl’s website includes a sizing note advising customers to order half a size down from their Brannock measurement or typical U.S. size. However, I found the boots true to size. Unless you’re between sizes or following a specific measuring method, most people should have no issue ordering their usual size.
The lacing system worked well overall, although I would’ve liked to pull the boots a bit tighter to add more ankle support, especially when carrying heavier loads.
The Feel
Despite their light weight, these boots were surprisingly stiff right out of the box. However, they didn’t cause discomfort like many stiff boots often do. I was pleasantly surprised by how little breaking-in they needed. After just a few short hikes, they felt ready for longer treks. Although I recommend wearing them around before heading out on a multi-day backpacking trip, the break-in period isn’t as daunting as it might be with other stiff boots in this weight category.
The EuroLight’s Nubuck leather has a soft, premium feel, and the boots come pre-treated, so you don’t need to oil them immediately. However, I noticed that the leather readily absorbs boot treatment products, which is excellent for long-term maintenance and keeping the leather in top condition.
In the Field
Initially, I stuck to my usual lower-height boots during my August hunts and early September outings simply because they were familiar. But a few days into the season, I decided to test the EuroLight. It took just one serious day of elk hunting to realize I had found an outstanding boot.
These boots fit well and struck the perfect balance between stiffness and comfort for my hunting style. They’re not as rigid as mountaineering boots, but they’re noticeably stiffer than most in the same weight range, which made them ideal for the terrain I was navigating. While they offered the comfort I expected from a lightweight boot, they also provided significantly more support. This was especially noticeable when side-hilling or navigating steep descents.
I especially appreciated this extra support during several fall hunts when packing heavy loads of elk meat. Carrying such weight puts tremendous strain on your ankles and feet, and the added stiffness in the EuroLight helped keep me stable. These boots handled challenging terrain, from rocky slopes to soft, wet ground, without sacrificing comfort or traction. Their versatility and durability have quickly made them one of my top choices for early to mid-season hunts.
Final Thoughts
Since I love testing new hunting boots, I’ll probably never say there’s a “perfect” boot for every situation. With that noted, I’m incredibly impressed with the Meindl Eurolight Hunter. They’re slightly stiffer than many early-season boots I’ve worn, but they stay lightweight, breathable, and comfortable in the field. I’d love to see this model made an inch or two shorter for more flexibility, but it’s not enough of an issue to stop me from regularly wearing this pair. A good pair of boots is hard to beat, and these certainly qualify. The best part? They do all this without costing a fortune, leaving you with extra cash to pick up even more gear for your adventures!
