Before buying, I read other reviews where the break-in could be longer than expected. Others, had immediate fit though. Well, it took me 30 miles of trail, creek and hillside hikes to get them right. I think my foot shape is the issue here. Having owned a variety of new work & hunting boots, I always require longer time as my feet are wider than EE immediately accommodates. Combining my high arches = a “ball” shape as the top of my feet sit higher combined with the stiffness of these boots and my wider width, it was an effort. That may or may not be the reason for the longer break-in but it’s my situation. I did order 1/2 size smaller too, the length was spot on so that wasn’t the issue. Shout out to the Meindl support though! After the first 3 miles, I developed a hot spot/blister on one heel. They directed me to YouTube where there are several videos on how to lace boots to prevent heal slip. I never knew this!!

The traction is great too. Walking in creek beds with wet rocks covered with wet leaves and I was able to take lines that I normally wouldn’t. It took several hikes and lace adjustments to dial these in but the lace system holds and the new tie method works. These may be the last hunting boot I purchase.

Primary use is upland pheasant & quail hunting.

I purchased these with high hopes. I LOVE my Vakuum Hikers - they have been comfortable, dry (as long as they were treated), and VERY tough. But ultimately they didn't work as well as I wanted for upland hunting mostly because they are too short. So I tried the EuroLight Hunter. I have worn them for about 15 hours upland hunting and hiking, and they are just now feeling mostly comfortable. They were certainly NOT comfortable out of the box. They are extremely warm - almost too warm for uninsulated. At the end of the day my biggest gripe with these is they are just too stiff. The sole is stiff, and the uppers are very stiff to the point you can't cinch them down on your feet. The certainly seem very well built and tough. Not so much a gripe about the boot as they way Meindl USA describes them which I do not feel is accurate. Nice boots, but at the end of the day I wish I had gotten something else.