i have the same but in brown color since they are the UK army version. Sizing is that the new model is more roomy in the toe box and mine has open hooks instead of closed that has the pair you reviewed. Laces are super long so had to trim them a little. I wear them in South east europe and in summer time temps reach up to 35-37c and feel ok. However the desert fox was bit cooler compared to the new model. thankfully Meindl quality is present...cheers
Thanks for the reply, open hook is the normal version i presume. Closed is for the military. The fox did feel a bit cooler indeed. The padding in the liner feels a bit thinner. But I like them both. The defence has a couple of great upgrades. Greetings Wim
The old models have really soft soles. Mine are showing the inside material trough the sole at the back. . The new ones are a lot better. I didn't have the crumbling problem (yet). Get the ones with the Vibram soles. Greetings Wim
I have booth, I live in Spain and use the desert defense when use long trausers and the other when wear shorts, but booth are and feel nice, then if your preference over the high
I've used both too (the Desert defence more recently) and if I were to guess I'd say the defence will last longer. The rubbermac sole on the older model wears out quick, I also have the midsole showing through mine. The defence is surprisingly breathable despite the thicker padding and more leather. It seems the air channels you mentioned really work.
He Alexander, good to hear. Let me know what happens when you used them longer. I found the defence a little warmer but that could have been the weather, socks, day of the week or what ever. I can't wait to test them out this summer. Greetings Wim
@@traveler5898 overall I'm very happy with them. Good for a hot country like mine (Australia). Couple more things: the lace locker doesn't work well with the provided laces. They're too skinny. Also, the lace pocket while not a great design can be worked around by turning it inside out before lacing then flipping it back over the knot. Cheers
@@alexandrufilipescu1301 hills are fine. Ankle support and underfoot stability are good. Mountains ie. vertical snowy climbs are not what these are designed for.
They are both resoleable, the stuff poking out of the heal/sole area is the eva/pu dampening material, these soles need to be replaced in 1 piece not just the tread part. The old meindl desert fox are way stiffer flex less in moderate temperatures say under 15 celsius that because they are made to widthstand the very high tempertatures in desert conditions ( i mean the service you walk on not the ambient temp) Hated the old fox's these are way better, however i'd take the Lowa desert over both of these , way more breathable same sole but the soles come apart some times even before they are worn out (the PU material degrades as happens with a lot of modern shoes) Want shoes that last take the ones with vibram without cushioning Meindl Perfect Super Perfect Hanwag Cima etc.
Chosing between Lova Elite Desert and Meindl Desert Defence. They have same idea and similar amount of breatheable "side vents" but wich boot is better?
Hi, check if they have vibram soles. The old model had different soles. Most of the old models had bad midsoles and fell apart after a year or so. The new ones are pretty good. (defense version) Greetings Wim
Also nice, seem to have the same soles as the others. So soft and wears out quickly. I don't see a big differents with the "normal" desert. greetings Kim
Hi Razvan, The leather is pretty thick. Or at least thick enough. What you would expect from meindl. looks to be around 2 mm thick. The cordure I don't know. But it's probably more like a 1000 than 1200. Greetings Wim
Well, they are military boots and an upgrade from the old model. So I would say yes to military use.. But they are made for specific dessert missions I believe. It depends what you want. I don't really know what makes a good tactical boot. I focus more on hiking en bushcraft. Often military boots are a good quality for the price. These boots are good, but not for every purpose and mission. Greetings Wim
Hi, I weight the left shoe. Old version = 826 grams, soles have been worn of somewhat. New version (defense) = 905 grams. So it appears the new boots are a little heavier. About 80 grams difference x 2 is 160 grams for the pair. Greetings
Had the Desert fox, the midsole crumbled away, And Meindl, in my experience which is extensive, is the only German company that doesn't answer their customers. So, to hell with them.
I know what you mean, I had one pair that was perfect, had them for three years used them to pieces. An other pair the sole came loose and the inner sole crumbled like yours did, had to throw them out almost new. I was very disappointed. The new defence have perfect soles (Vibram) and no problems with the inner sole. Greetings
i have the same but in brown color since they are the UK army version. Sizing is that the new model is more roomy in the toe box and mine has open hooks instead of closed that has the pair you reviewed. Laces are super long so had to trim them a little. I wear them in South east europe and in summer time temps reach up to 35-37c and feel ok. However the desert fox was bit cooler compared to the new model. thankfully Meindl quality is present...cheers
Thanks for the reply, open hook is the normal version i presume. Closed is for the military. The fox did feel a bit cooler indeed. The padding in the liner feels a bit thinner.
But I like them both. The defence has a couple of great upgrades.
Greetings Wim
My desert fox I love and so does a mate of mine. We both have similar problems the the midsole crumbling away. Shocking considering the prince!
The old models have really soft soles. Mine are showing the inside material trough the sole at the back. . The new ones are a lot better. I didn't have the crumbling problem (yet). Get the ones with the Vibram soles.
Greetings Wim
Thanks for the informative rewiev. Liked the video.
I have booth, I live in Spain and use the desert defense when use long trausers and the other when wear shorts, but booth are and feel nice, then if your preference over the high
I've used both too (the Desert defence more recently) and if I were to guess I'd say the defence will last longer. The rubbermac sole on the older model wears out quick, I also have the midsole showing through mine. The defence is surprisingly breathable despite the thicker padding and more leather. It seems the air channels you mentioned really work.
He Alexander, good to hear. Let me know what happens when you used them longer. I found the defence a little warmer but that could have been the weather, socks, day of the week or what ever. I can't wait to test them out this summer.
Greetings Wim
@@traveler5898 overall I'm very happy with them. Good for a hot country like mine (Australia). Couple more things: the lace locker doesn't work well with the provided laces. They're too skinny. Also, the lace pocket while not a great design can be worked around by turning it inside out before lacing then flipping it back over the knot. Cheers
@@combatboots101 thanks for the reply. I Will try the lace pocket thing. Enjoy and greetings
Wim
Hi, are these boots good for climbing hills and mountains? Thanks!
@@alexandrufilipescu1301 hills are fine. Ankle support and underfoot stability are good. Mountains ie. vertical snowy climbs are not what these are designed for.
Great review! Thanks
They are both resoleable, the stuff poking out of the heal/sole area is the eva/pu dampening material, these soles need to be replaced in 1 piece not just the tread part. The old meindl desert fox are way stiffer flex less in moderate temperatures say under 15 celsius that because they are made to widthstand the very high tempertatures in desert conditions ( i mean the service you walk on not the ambient temp) Hated the old fox's these are way better, however i'd take the Lowa desert over both of these , way more breathable same sole but the soles come apart some times even before they are worn out (the PU material degrades as happens with a lot of modern shoes) Want shoes that last take the ones with vibram without cushioning Meindl Perfect Super Perfect Hanwag Cima etc.
keurig dank u
De desert Fox en de Medium. hebben wel degelijk nog een verschil behalve de hoogte van de schacht.
De zool, de hak van de Fox is lager dan de Medium.
Chosing between Lova Elite Desert and Meindl Desert Defence. They have same idea and similar amount of breatheable "side vents" but wich boot is better?
Hard to tell, but I would go with the one that fits you the best.
Greetings
Спасибо за обзор!
Не упоминай об этом!
Groet Wim
Hello. I see these boots everywhere on Internet for peanuts. Does anyone know why is that? Is there some known issues with them? Cheap copies perhaps?
Hi, check if they have vibram soles. The old model had different soles. Most of the old models had bad midsoles and fell apart after a year or so. The new ones are pretty good. (defense version)
Greetings Wim
How are the boots holding up? Are the new ones more durable?
Still wearing the old model on a daily basis. New model only for hiking. Holding up fine so far.
Are the desert defence original? Why is there less information about them?
No idea. But the are original. I think they ordered less of these shoes. No big missions in dessert countries?
What about the meindel desert fox Pro... Darker brown...
Also nice, seem to have the same soles as the others. So soft and wears out quickly. I don't see a big differents with the "normal" desert.
greetings Kim
How thick is he leather on Desert Defence? And the Cordura denier is 1000 or 1200?
Hi Razvan,
The leather is pretty thick. Or at least thick enough. What you would expect from meindl. looks to be around 2 mm thick. The cordure I don't know. But it's probably more like a 1000 than 1200.
Greetings Wim
@@traveler5898 In a few days I'll hace em. Are they good as tactical, combat boots? Military use?
Well, they are military boots and an upgrade from the old model. So I would say yes to military use.. But they are made for specific dessert missions I believe. It depends what you want. I don't really know what makes a good tactical boot. I focus more on hiking en bushcraft. Often military boots are a good quality for the price.
These boots are good, but not for every purpose and mission.
Greetings Wim
Great review. But whats the weight difference?
Hi,
I weight the left shoe. Old version = 826 grams, soles have been worn of somewhat. New version (defense) = 905 grams. So it appears the new boots are a little heavier. About 80 grams difference x 2 is 160 grams for the pair.
Greetings
Thank you! Your review helped me allot and I bought the new version meindl desert defence, they also have them with goretex.
Had the Desert fox, the midsole crumbled away, And Meindl, in my experience which is extensive, is the only German company that doesn't answer their customers. So, to hell with them.
I know what you mean, I had one pair that was perfect, had them for three years used them to pieces. An other pair the sole came loose and the inner sole crumbled like yours did, had to throw them out almost new. I was very disappointed. The new defence have perfect soles (Vibram) and no problems with the inner sole.
Greetings