Foot Furnace: Meindl Nordkap PRO GTX Winter Boot Review

It had just turned from dusk to dark on Minnesota’s frozen Lake Mill Lacs, and the temperature was plummeting. Somewhere around -10 degrees Fahrenheit, a 30mph wind made it feel much colder. My friends and I hustled to break down our ice fishing shelter after a long day on the ice, and time was of the essence as fingers and faces froze.

But my feet were not cold in the slightest. That’s because I was wearing the Meindl Nordkap PRO GTX winter boots, which, after a few days of testing, have proven to be among the warmest, most comfortable winter boots I’ve used. They come at a hefty price, but after several outings in icy conditions, I’m convinced they are a worthwhile investment for those who spend many hours in bitter-cold places.

In short: The Meindl Nordkap PRO GTX is a heavy, extremely warm winter boot with a luxurious sheepskin lining and protective outer cowhide and mesh fabric upper. They are incredibly well insulated and keep my feet toasty in weather down to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. But more than warm, the Nordkap PRO GTX is also comfortable for walking on snow and ice and extremely water- and weather-resistant. Their downside is heavy weight and high price.

Compare the Meindl Nordkap PRO GTX with the best winter boots in our buyer’s guide.

Meindl Nordkap PRO GTX Review

Meindl is a German brand gradually making a name for itself among North American consumers with premium hunting and hiking boots. It’s relatively new to the winter boot market, and the Nordkap PRO GTX is brand new as of 2025.

I received a test pair in late January. Out of the box, they impressed me. The Nordkap Pro GTX is a substantial boot with a heavy Vibram outsole. Stacked on that sole, they build out like a moon boot from the 1980s. There’s a whole lot going on in these hefty kicks.

I reached inside, felt the fur-like sheepskin and thick liner, and smiled. These were going to be fun to test.

The Nordkap PRO GTX is a unique boot. Sort of like a downhill ski boot, they have a protective exterior boot with a removable inner bootie. That sheepskin bootie adds a lot of insulation and also allows you to dry the interior of the boot fast.

The exterior boot has two lacing systems. The lower lacing system ties the boot snugly around the foot. Then a cinch line closes the top of the boot tight to keep out ice and snow.

Testing in Colorado, Minnesota

I wore the Nordkap PRO GTX on a few short hikes in cool weather. While heavy and stiff, they were comfortable right out of the box. They have so much insulation that the boot is soft all around the foot and ankle. It’s like your lower leg is in a big, soft hug. So I was confident they’d be ready for their first real test, a 2-day sled-dog racing event at the historic Camp Hale in Colorado.

As if nature had testing in mind, the first morning of the Camp Hale Veterans Memorial Sled Dog Races was very cold, with lows below zero and fresh snow on the ground. For the next 2 days, I spent all morning on my feet, watching sled teams come and go, helping racers manage dog teams, and preparing for my own race in skijoring.

The whole time, I was walking on deep-packed snow (or sometimes stepping into deep powder off trails). Small areas of exposed ice posed slip hazards. Handling dogs required quick movements and running. And through a lot of tough conditions, cold snow, and tricky footing, the Nordkap PROG GTX proved comfortable, secure, and very warm.

Meindl Nordkap PRO GTX: Ice Fishing Main Event

Every year, a few good friends and I travel to northern Minnesota to ice fish in February. Call us crazy, but it’s a darned good time.

I chose the Meindl Nordkap PRO GTX for this year’s fishing. With high temperatures well below zero every day of the trip, it was a good call.

During 3 days of ice fishing, I walked over frozen lakes and slopped gallons of water over the boots while drilling holes. I hunkered over holes in driving wind and snow. And I spent a lot of time sitting in a heated shanty with my feet on wet ice.

The boots were pretty much perfect. The Vibram outsole bit into the snow for good traction on everything except pure ice. The shell-like outer layer sheds water instantly. It eventually became encrusted in ice, but my feet inside stayed warm and totally dry.

I did wear these boots for a few hours indoors at a bar while getting dinner after fishing. While certainly overkill, I didn’t notice my feet getting overly hot. The Nordkap PRO GTX is for sure too much boot for indoors, and will even make driving tricky. But it is possible to wear them for a bit inside.

Meindl Nordkap PRO GTX: Who They’re For

Of course, no boot is perfect for everything. The Meindl Nordkap PRO GTX is perfect mostly for one thing: keeping your feet warm in super-cold and wet weather. But outside of that, it’s a limited piece of footwear.

These boots are both expensive ($420) and heavy (4.76 pounds per pair). If you expect to walk long distances or scramble around on steep terrain, definitely look elsewhere. I also had a problem pulling the cinch off the top laces a few times, a minor issue but one that could be annoying on a really cold day.

But if you spend time in very cold weather with low aerobic activity, the Nordkap PRO GTX is worth considering. I’m talking about deer hunters who spend hours in a frigid cold stand — or snowmobilers, ice fishermen, and dog sledders. Better yet, if you’re someone who does a lot of these things, the Nordkap PRO GTX is probably for you.

While this initial review doesn’t have enough testing to consider durability, this boot does seem very well constructed. I’d expect it to last a long time. I’ll update this review with further testing notes on durability once they’ve seen a little more action.

In the meantime, this is one very warm, rugged boot. If you’re looking for a furnace for your feet, the Nordkap PRO GTX should meet your needs.