Meindl Mens Island Active MFS Wide Fit Walking / Hiking Boots  £254.25

Meindl Island MFS Active Wide Fit - Men's

Overseas customers please note sizes are UK - please see manufacturer size chart above for US / EUR / Mondopoint conversion

The Island MFS Active Wide Fit walking boot is part of Meindl's Wide Fit range. Wider in the fore foot giving more room for the toes, it has a firm, shaped hold at the heel for a secure fit. This is a wide fitting version of the classic Island MFS Active boot

The Island MFS Active mountain walking boot has over the years been key in helping Meindl build their international status. As one of their reputed styles, the Island model is the walking boot to have for long-distance hiking, serving excellently across all terrain. Constructed from high quality oiled Nubuck leather, the boot offers comfort, support and unmatched durability. The Island MFS Active features a GORE-TEX lining to ensure waterproofing and year-round use, a Digafix lacing system to adjust for an extra secure hold, a Meindl Multigriff sole (by Vibram) for a strong grip, and Memory Foam (MFS) technology for maximum comfort. The MFS works by using a variety of foams which are shaped to the morphology of the foot by body heat, guaranteeing a performance enhancing, personalised fit. A great all-rounder, the Island MFS Active are a superb choice for long treks, mountain hikes, snowshoeing or wherever your endeavours take you.

For those looking for a slightly higher, stiffer, traditional 3 season walking boot, this is the best. Full leather outer with GoretTex lining makes it an ideal all round mountain boot. The Memory Foam around the ankle provides additional comfort and the Digafix systems improves heel hold. The softer cuff at the top is super comfortable. Minimal breaking in required.

Meindl Wide Fit provides a slightly wider sole unit to allow more room in the toe box. Please note that Meindl Wide Fit models are not as wide as Meindl Comfort Fit models.

Features:

• Colour: Brown
• Upper: Oiled Sil – Nubuck leather
• Lining: Gore-Tex®
• Footbed: Air-Active® Soft Print drysole
• Sole No. 3A: Meindl Multigriff® by Vibram®
• Wide Fit: Wider fit and more toe freedom with a firm grip on the heel. Meindl Wide Fit models are not as wide as Meindl Comfort Fit models.
• Memory Foam System (MFS)
• DiGAfix® lacing system
• Weight (Size UK 8): 880g  /  31.04oz
• Suitability:
  • Meindl for Mountain​ - Meindl's Grade B / C Terrain Category: These boots are handmade from high quality leather. They are heavier and have a more robust upper and sole unit than a B grade boot. They are suitable for occasional crampon use. Grade B/C boots are ideal for multi-day trips, demanding trekking, extended hikes in the high mountains, poor mountain paths, scree and fixed rope routes. We would recommend a grade B/C boot for winter walking in Scotland and more demanding European walking in the summer.

Technical Features:

• Meindl Memory Foam System (MFS): Memory foam adapts perfectly to the shape of the foot under body heat and pressure. You will find memory foam in the uppers of a boot, and in the Soft Print foam in the footbed.
• Wide Fit: In comparison to a standard fit, a Wide Fit shoe or boot has more space at the front of the foot with a firm grip at the heel. Please note that Meindl Wide Fit models are wider than Meindl Standard Fit models but not as wide as Meindl Comfort Fit models.
• Meindl Multigriff and Multigrip soles: These soles are characterised by three features:
  • The cleat at the front of the heel projects forward – it provides more bite and grip.
  • The tread has an open angle, so that it self-cleans as you walk.
  • The cleats in the centre of the sole make sure that the tread grips in all directions.
• DiGAfix® lacing system: DiGAfix® is a lacing system that wraps the upper of the boot around the instep without creating any pressure points and locking the heel in place. It allows for flexibility and reduces pressure around the foot  — The first priority is to tighten the boots correctly. Push your heel back, centre the tongue, and lace up. Be aware of the 2-zone lacing when doing so!
  • When walking up mountains, lace the lower area up to the locking hooks (the lower laces on the top of the foot) tightly, and the ankle area above rather more loosely, in order to allow for flexion and increase ease of movement.
  • When walking down mountains, mainly tie the laces on the ankle area tighter in the area of the ankle bend (DiGAfix®) in order to prevent the foot sliding forwards.

Care Advice:

• Conditioning and proofing spray keeps nubuck leather and suede protected. The boots can be treated when the uppers are not quite dry (don’t forget the tongues of the boots) – it ensures they will remain supple.
• Applying a little wax to the hooks and eyelets will protect them from corrosion.

​Meindl's Boots Terrain Category System:

Meindl boots are graded in a category system from A – D. These categories are based on the terrain that the boot will be suitable for. It is important that you choose the correct boot for the type of walking or activity that you’ll be doing. If you are not sure – read on, we are here to help!

Here’s everything you need to know to make a decision about the best boot for you.

• Grade A - Meindl for Leisure: A good quality walking shoe with enough stability and underfoot protection for daily use. These shoes will take you from the urban commute and a weekend city break, on to a trail walk and lower level path. They are multi-purpose shoes. The Caracas GTX and Siena GTX are our quintessential A grade shoes
   
• Grade M - Meindl for Multi Activity: Similar to Grade A, these good quality multi-purpose shoes and boots will take you from the urban commute to a lower-level path. The Nebraska Mid GTX and Respond GTX are the quintessential multi-use footwear.
   
• Grade B - Meindl for Hill: Supportive boots made using high quality leather. The sole units are stiffer than an A/B grade boot and they provide more stability and underfoot support. Suitable for demanding walks in the Lake District, North Wales, Scotland, and Ireland as well as lower level paths in the Alps or Pyrenees during the summer. The Bhutan GTX, Adamello GTX, and Borneo 2 MFS are our classic B grade boots and firm favourites of UK and Irish customers.
   
• Grade A / B - Meindl for Leisure and Hill: This category blends the two either side of it – A and B – meaning that these boots are suitable for both leisure and hill walking. They can stride out on footpaths and lower level hills. The main difference between these boots and those in category B is that these boots are more flexible and slightly softer in the upper. The Terlan GTX and Kapstadt GTX are excellent A/B grade boots.
   
• Grade C - Meindl for High Mountains: These boots are designed to tackle mountainous terrain, unmarked routes, screes and glaciers. Due to the terrain, these boots are stiffer and provide more protection than boots of a lower grade. They are suitable for crampons and ideal for Scottish winters and higher altitude routes in the European mountains.
   
• Grade B / C - Meindl for Mountain: These boots are handmade from high quality leather. They are heavier and have a more robust upper and sole unit than a B grade boot. They are suitable for occasional crampon use. Grade B/C boots are ideal for multi-day trips, demanding trekking, extended hikes in the high mountains, poor mountain paths, scree and fixed rope routes. We would recommend a grade B/C boot for winter walking in Scotland and more demanding European walking in the summer. The Himalaya MFS and Island MFS are our top rated B/C grade boots.
   
• Grade D - Meindl for Mountaineering: These boots are fully stiffened and designed for high level mountaineering. They are fully crampon compatible and are suitable for expeditions to the high Alps and Himalayas.

Note: most of Meindl's shoes and boots are graded, but if you can’t see a specific grading next to a product, it doesn’t have one, and that means it’s for keeping your feet comfortable on every day adventures.

Meindl’s Top Tips:

Alfons Meindl developed the terrain categories to classify his family’s boots in 1975. Over the years, the system has been refined and it’s now widely used by many footwear manufacturers.  If you are looking to purchase a pair of boots we would encourage you to read the terrain categories above.

• If in doubt, choose as sturdier boot, as it will cover a wider range of uses.
• If you frequently walk in wet regions, or there is not an opportunity to dry your boots overnight, opt for a GORE-TEX lined model.
• If possible, get your boots fitted in the afternoon as your feet swell during the day.
• Wear your new boots indoors at home to check that you have the correct size before heading outside.

About Meindl:

• 300 years of extraordinary family shoemakers. Boots handcrafted in Bavaria, Germany.
• Meindl’s history takes us back to 1683. Petrus Meindl was the first family shoemaker in Kirchanschoring, Bavaria, Southern Germany.
• Fast-forward over 300 years and Meindl now produce over 1 million pairs of boots and shoes from their same home in Germany each year. At the helm are Lukas and Lars Meindl, the eleventh generation of the Meindl family shoemakers.