Product · Meindl
Meindl Vakuum Men Ultra: waxed nubuck, leather lined
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The Vakuum is a classic Meindl walking boot, and the Men Ultra version on Amazon is listed with a waxed nubuck upper and a leather lining. What makes it stand apart in our ankle-support guide is what the listing does not include: there is no membrane stated. That puts it in the camp of traditional all-leather boots, which rely on well-waxed leather to keep water out and appeal to walkers who prefer a breathable, natural feel.
- Listed cut
- Ankle boot
- Upper
- Waxed nubuck leather
- Membrane
- Not stated
- Outsole
- Rubber
In its favour
- The listing names waxed nubuck leather, which sheds water well when kept treated.
- A leather lining is stated, a hard-wearing and comfortable inner for long days.
- Listed for all seasons, so it can work year-round on lowland and hill paths.
Good to know
- No membrane is named and it is listed as water resistant, so it relies on the leather and wax.
- The listed weight of 1.99 kg does not say whether that is per pair.
Our take
Reading the Amazon listing
The material field reads nubuck leather with a wax handle, which describes a nubuck treated with wax for water repellency. The lining is leather and the insole is listed as faux leather. Water resistance is given as water resistant, the shaft circumference as 25 cm, and the item weight as 1.99 kg, without saying whether that is per boot or per pair.
Some fields contradict each other, such as the boot form type reading bootie and the height map showing low top. The listing's own style name references a Vakuum Ultra GTX, so it is worth confirming with the seller whether the version supplied has a Gore-Tex lining.
Why some walkers prefer leather lined
A leather lining feels warm and soft, wicks moisture into the leather itself, and lasts well. Without a membrane, the boot breathes more freely, though it depends on wax to resist wet ground. On long boggy days in Dartmoor or the Pennines, expect to reapply wax regularly.
Care is simple but must be routine: clean, dry slowly, and work in a good wax while the leather is slightly damp so it absorbs well.
Vakuum compared with the Burma Pro and Bhutan
Meindl's Burma Pro MFS GTX has a leather lining and a Gore-Tex membrane plus a Vibram Multigriff sole. It is the more technical walking boot. The Bhutan MFS GTX is a leather-lined hill boot from the same family. Both suit those who want a membrane for guaranteed dryness.
The Vakuum Men Ultra is the choice for walkers who like the feel of an all-leather boot and are happy with the upkeep.
Who should choose another boot
Walkers who do not want to wax boots regularly, or who walk mostly in persistent rain, will find a Gore-Tex boot easier to live with. Those with wide feet should look at Meindl's wide-fit models instead.
Verdict
The Vakuum Men Ultra suits walkers who want a waxed nubuck, leather-lined Meindl and are comfortable maintaining it. If guaranteed waterproofing matters, choose the Meindl Burma Pro MFS GTX or Bhutan MFS GTX, and for a lighter mid boot, the Mammut Mercury IV Mid GTX is the alternative in our ankle-support guide.
Compared with alternatives in: Best walking boots with ankle support, Meindl walking boots compared
Amazon listing title: Meindl Vacuum Men Ultra, Men's Trekking and Hiking Boots