Meindl, is a story that began over 300 years ago, and today the 9th generation of Meindl continues to uphold the family tradition. The family business is particularly committed to sustainability, and a respectful use of the resources at our disposal is one of its core principles. Membership in the Bavarian Academy for Nature Conservation and Landscape Preservation, support for the national park rangers of Berchtesgaden and Hohe Tauern with suitable footwear, and investment in the reforestation project "BaumInvest" in Costa Rica are all examples of active environmental awareness.

For hiking enthusiasts in search of quality equipment, discover our selection of hiking and trail shoes suitable for all terrains.

Acting responsibly and sustainably means much more. This approach concerns the entire production process. Specific areas such as pollutant management, recycling, repair service, renewal of lighting at the production site, and the use of eco-responsible paper certified ISO for catalogs and shoe boxes contribute to this approach. Meindl also requires its business partners to adhere to its ethical guidelines and ensure that their subcontractors do the same. This is exactly the company's philosophy. The future belongs to those who act in harmony with nature and humanity!

MEINDL IN A FEW DATES

  • 1974 : Since the early 1970s, Meindl has offered its employees free bus transfers, provided by company vehicles or specialized firms, to help them get to work.
  • 1980 : Promotion and cooperation for nature conservation with the Bavarian Academy for Nature Conservation and Landscape Preservation.
  • 1991 : Creation of an environmental committee for responsible management in production and waste disposal.
  • 1992 : ASU Award 1992 for exemplary corporate ecology
  • 1993 : Development of a collection and recycling system for used shoes in cooperation with the Hanoverian company DGW.
  • 1995 : Completion of the new production site (3,000 m2), synonymous with job security for many employees in the Bavarian region. Alfons Meindl receives the Federal Cross of Merit for services rendered to the region. Meindl launches its own label ÖKO-LOGIG PRODUCED, which embodies the principle "Save nature to live and discover with it".
  • 2007 : The Meindl company receives the Bavarian State Medal for exceptional services rendered in the field of environment, awarded by the Ministry of Environment and Consumer Protection.
  • 2008 : Creation of the Alfons Meindl social foundation, recognized by the state, aimed at financially supporting people in distress who receive insufficient help from other public authorities or social organizations. Lukas and Lars continue their father's work.
  • 2011 : To maintain its site and the associated jobs in the region, Meindl invests in an air purification system for the emissions produced during the manufacture of its shoes. This compliance with European directives prevents it from relocating its production to low-cost countries outside the EU.
  • 2012 : Meindl Identity® - A biological, ecological, and regional product. Thanks to the Identity® number and a detailed certificate of origin for the upper leather, Meindl becomes the first shoe manufacturer in the world to offer complete transparency regarding its suppliers and partners. From regional breeders to employees, through to the tannery, each customer can trace the journey of their shoes.
  • 2015 : Completion of an energy audit at the Kirchanschöring site. This assessment proved to be a new source of inspiration allowing Meindl to implement sustainability projects within its premises.
  • 2021 : The philosophy of Meindl remains the same: tradition and innovation at the heart of the Alps.


MEINDL'S PRODUCTION - CLOSE RELATIONS WITH ITS SUPPLIERS

The headquarters of Meindl, which is also the historical production site, is located in the heart of an untouched nature in a sublime landscape. The principle of tradition and innovation is applied by Meindl at the very heart of production and design of the range: some models have become timeless (Perfekt, Island, Borneo, Himalaya…). But at the same time, each new collection brings novelties and innovation (Pure Freedom, Finale GTX, Air Revolution,…).

ISLANDBORNEOHIMALAYA

All Meindl production sites are owned by the company and are located within the EU, thus facilitating logistics between sites and greatly easing production. Sufficient traceability of products and production documents ensures that only verified and satisfactory quality materials are used and integrated into the manufacturing process.
Meindl actively works with over a hundred suppliers and visits them regularly. In 2014, Meindl managed to conduct an ecological audit with all its partners. Meindl promotes, monitors, and supports the sustainability activities of its suppliers, encouraging them to continuously improve. It also ensures to work with fair trade products to strengthen a responsible approach throughout the production chain.

APPROACH AND ECOLOGICAL AWARENESS

Meindl is committed to implementing principles and serving as ambassadors for environmentally friendly initiatives: also discover our selection of outdoor products that respect the environment for your outdoor activities.
  • Reduce, reuse, repair, and recycle, including the use of recyclable materials,
  • Optimize the use of raw materials and energy consumption, minimize that of natural resources and avoid waste, and also favor natural materials,
  • Contribute to climate initiatives by reducing our CO2 emissions,
  • Avoid the use of regulated chemicals and favor alternatives for manufacturing our shoes, while promoting eco-responsibly manufactured products.

One of the main objectives of Meindl's work is to identify and manage its impacts on nature. To understand the consequences of operational processes, Meindl has analyzed the life cycle of its products: how shoes are designed, developed, produced, transported, and sold.

It is important for Meindl to monitor its environmental impact from the production stage. Decisions made during the development phase have direct consequences on this impact throughout the production cycle. For Meindl, product development also involves sustainable design and increased use of eco-responsible materials. This mindset permeates purchasing, production, overall commitment, and ultimately, all sales.


REPAIR WORKSHOP

Sustainability is closely linked to the lifespan and preservation of a product. It is therefore important for Meindl to offer a worthy repair service to its customers. Even heavily worn shoes can regain an almost new appearance. The vast majority of Meindl models are resolable. It is the distributors who send the shoes, as Meindl wants to inspect and verify each pair before proceeding with an exchange or destruction of a pair. It is a team of over 30 cobblers who daily handle all issues, from simple stitching repairs to complete sole replacements. Its cobbling experts are capable of performing all possible tasks on a damaged shoe. This maintenance offers a "second life" to the concerned shoes.

You understood, Meindl is an environmentally friendly hiking shoe brand that offers you quality products. So come quickly to Alpinstore to find the pair of Meindl shoes you need! Whether you are a man or a woman, happiness is behind your screen.