The original Meindl Burma Pro, released in 1997, was our magazine's Best In Test winner for many years, billed as a “hallmark of quality”. The Meindl Bhutan MFS is the Burma Pro's replacement; a tough three-season walking boot with a multi-piece leather upper and some first-rate features – and it has been one of Meindl’s best sellers for over a decade.
Old-school, classic-style leather walking boots are, however, a divisive subject. Some see them as out-dated and irrelevant, unable to comprehend why anyone would possibly consider wearing such a horribly stiff, blister-inducingly uncomfortable pair of heavy clodhoppers up a mountain.
But the benefits of “proper”, traditional leather hiking boots are obvious: they will keep your feet dry no matter what. And of all designs, styles and construction techniques, boots made from strong, reliable, full-grain or nubuck leather will have the greatest longevity.
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Pros
- Very tough and durable
- Excellent waterproofing
- Good foot protection
- Can be resoled
Cons
- Heavy
- Expensive
- Stiff
Upper
The upper of the Meindl Bhutan MFS has that shiny, smooth, brown sheen reminiscent of a classic leather hiking boot. It is made from a high quality nubuck leather, which feels strong and tough. The toe bumper and heel counter are both reassuringly solid, and you also get a full rubber rand enclosing the lower portion of the boot that drastically improves abrasion resistance and maximises long-term durability.
The ankle cuff, conversely, is soft and more flexible for added comfort. It is thickly padded with Meindl’s Memory Foam System (MFS), which – according to the brand – uses your body temperature to mould the memory foam to the shape of your foot, in the same way a memory foam bed mattress works. This ensures a closer, snugger fit around the ankle.
Does it work? We found it does. MFS is a nice touch, as some traditional leather boots can feel rougher and less forgiving, resulting in painful rubbing.
Internally you get a Gore-Tex lining for waterproof protection, which works brilliantly, although on warmer days the Bhutan MFS isn’t the most breathable and can feel a tad hot and clammy. But the tall bellows tongue and the ankle cuff helps keep rock, debris and water out far better than modern mid height hiking boots.
The lacing system – which Meindl calls Digafix – features metal eyelets lower down the foot and then three metal lace hooks higher up the ankle. This enables a fine-tuned fit with a tight hold.
Midsole
The midsole of these boots – combined with the Meindl Air-Active footbed – delivered a moderate amount of cushioning for us, protecting our feet from the trail and offering a tiny bit of forward momentum for the miles ahead. But, considering each boot is stocky, bulky and weighs a whopping 807g, underfoot cushioning with a bouncy, energetic feel is not what you get from the Bhutan MFS.
Some traditionalists will find the walking experience in them absolutely fine, stating they are more than comfy enough for big mileage days; ultralight enthusiasts will only see them as slow and heavy, with almost no zip.
Outsole
On our test hikes in the Lake District, the outsole of the Meindl Bhutan MFS delivered good traction on rock, grass and mud, with solid bite to keep us slip-free. We were impressed by its all-round performance and recommend it on any mountain trail in the UK. The Vibram Multigrip double-density rubber sole unit has well-spaced lugs, which prevent clogging by allowing mud to fall from the sole with each step.
The tread pattern features circular cleats in the centre of the boot and etched, rectangular strips towards the outer. There’s a prominent heel brake (a notch between the front and rear of the outsole) to help with downhill traction, while the toe and instep have some flatter sections for basic ‘edging’ on rockier ground. But, overall, we’d suggest this outsole is designed mostly for mountain hiking, and it lacks the technical outsole design for scrambling seen in the La Sportiva TX5 GTX, for example.
In terms of rigidity, there is a huge amount of firmness underfoot. Hold these boots in your hands and it’s nigh on impossible to bend them either longways or sideways (compared to ultralight boots, which you can often almost fold in half).
This is a double-edge sword, of course. Some will love the reassurance this stable underfoot platform gives on rocky, steep ground; others will find it massively reduces comfort when on longer mileage hikes, or fast day hikes.
It’s also worth noting that Meindl grades all of its boots from A to D, depending on the terrain the boot is made for. The Bhutan MFS has a B grade, which is defined as “supportive boots made using high quality leather” with “more stability and underfoot support”. As such they are “suitable for demanding walks in the Lake District, North Wales and Scotland, as well as lower level paths in the Alps or Pyrenees during the summer”.
Price and competition
£275 is undoubtedly a big investment, but the good news is a traditional leather boot should last you a decades, if not a lifetime if you take care of it. The leather is hard wearing and the Bhutan MFS can also be resoled.
So, while ultralight boots often come in far cheaper at under £150, you will find yourself needing to replace them much sooner because the synthetic uppers deteriorate faster than leather.
How we tested the Meindl Bhutan MFS
These walking boots were tested by one of our top reviewers, James Forrest. James is has undertaken ridiculous challenges, such as climbing all 1,001 mountains across the UK and Ireland. He always gives his gear a proper thrashing and isn't afraid of voicing his opinions about fit and quality.
James is based in the Lake District and put the Meindl Bhutan MFS to work in his native habitat over several long distance hikes.
Verdict
For day hikers who prioritise sturdiness and weatherproofing over agility and lightness, the Meindl Bhutan MFS is a wise choice. We can confirm that they will last a long time, cope well with rugged ground, and enable you to avoid horribly soggy socks when the weather is, well, very British.
But if you want to hike fast with nimble feet, with a trainer-like sense of comfort, you’ll be better served elsewhere.