I had a pair of Cabela's/Meindl boots that I bought over 10 years ago. I've put several hundred miles on them through countless adventures. Last summer I noticed some delamination between the Vibram sole and mid-sole. A little Shoe Goo fixed them for a few shorter backpack trips and a Chillkoot Pass trip. They finally gave up this year in the middle of a 112 mile Boy Scout backpack trip across Philmont Scout Ranch in NM.

I wasn't about to try and buy new, unbroken-in boots in the middle of a long trip so I did my best with a sewing awl and some more Shoe Goo. That worked for a couple of days, but even that couldn't take the stress of the rocky trail. They finally exploded.
With few options left I resorted to a length of parachute cord and crossed fingers. They made it to the end thankfully. The boys were trying to convince me to tie them together and throw them over Philmont's welcome arch with other numerous pairs of worn-out boots. I declined thinking I remembered they had a lifetime warranty or such. I'm glad I kept them!
The other day I went into Cabela's, almost too embarrassed to ask, and inquired about the warranty on the boots. They looked up my old order (under a different address), looked up the current model, and then refunded my original purchase price. To say I was impressed was an understatement! I'm not sure I'll buy the same boot due to mixed reviews of the current Meindls, but they sure made me a believer in their warranty.

I wasn't about to try and buy new, unbroken-in boots in the middle of a long trip so I did my best with a sewing awl and some more Shoe Goo. That worked for a couple of days, but even that couldn't take the stress of the rocky trail. They finally exploded.

The other day I went into Cabela's, almost too embarrassed to ask, and inquired about the warranty on the boots. They looked up my old order (under a different address), looked up the current model, and then refunded my original purchase price. To say I was impressed was an understatement! I'm not sure I'll buy the same boot due to mixed reviews of the current Meindls, but they sure made me a believer in their warranty.
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