Kenetrek Boots - Any opinions?

[Rob]

I was just telling my wife over the weekend that these are the best hunting boots I have owned.

I have a set of Danner Pronghorns back in 2013 that brought me the closest to death I have ever been in my life (and that is saying something considering my hobbies of flying, diving, hunting, caving, diving, and mountaineering!).  They never had good traction and one day during deer season my feet shot out from under me while walking along a mostly flat slab of wet lichen covered rock.  I skittered to the edge of a 60 foot cliff and stopped with my legs dangling over the edge looking at the rock pile below.  I had lichens under my nails and my rifle clattered to the ground.  I was so shook up it took me a full 30 seconds to get my wits and pull out my optics to see if the noise I made had spooked up a deer!

I spend this season using the Kenetrek boots on a few deer and elk hunts (packed out 2 deer and half of an elk) , plus some rock climbing approaches.  They are comfortable and I have found the traction superior to that of my old hunting boots and even my current pair of Salewa mountaineering boots.  What I like best about them is how easy they are to put on.  I got the 10 inch tall boots and the tongue is gusseted and the whole boot opens up like a bucket!  Foot just slides right in, and it cinches up nice and tight. 

Love them!

[go4itlab]

  :tup:Love mine

[Buzz2401]

I was just telling my wife over the weekend that these are the best hunting boots I have owned.

I have a set of Danner Pronghorns back in 2013 that brought me the closest to death I have ever been in my life (and that is saying something considering my hobbies of flying, diving, hunting, caving, diving, and mountaineering!).  They never had good traction and one day during deer season my feet shot out from under me while walking along a mostly flat slab of wet lichen covered rock.  I skittered to the edge of a 60 foot cliff and stopped with my legs dangling over the edge looking at the rock pile below.  I had lichens under my nails and my rifle clattered to the ground.  I was so shook up it took me a full 30 seconds to get my wits and pull out my optics to see if the noise I made had spooked up a deer!

I spend this season using the Kenetrek boots on a few deer and elk hunts (packed out 2 deer and half of an elk) , plus some rock climbing approaches.  They are comfortable and I have found the traction superior to that of my old hunting boots and even my current pair of Salewa mountaineering boots.  What I like best about them is how easy they are to put on.  I got the 10 inch tall boots and the tongue is gusseted and the whole boot opens up like a bucket!  Foot just slides right in, and it cinches up nice and tight. 

Love them!

Probably not the fairest comparison putting a $100 pair of chinese made boots up against a pair of $400 italian made boots.  I never have really understood why manufacturers use such hard rubber on boots.  I've put hundreds of miles on single pair of boots and never have I actually worn them flat if I wasn't using them primarily on concrete.  Seems like softer rubber would provide better traction but who knows.

[Rob]

Very true...  and that is not really what I was saying.  I was just telling a story about Danners since the decline in quality is so drastic (My first pair of pronghorns was fantastic - in-fact I just tossed them this year.  Bought them in 2006 or so.) I doubt I'll ever buy another pair.  US or China made.

But I can compare the Kenetrek to other high end boots.  I have 2 pairs of Salewa's (500 and 700 boots) and pair of custom made Russel Moccasin boots (probably 500 to 600) that are in my current set of boots.  The Kenetrek boots are as good or better than these.  Just great boots!  Easy to get on and off, good traction, comfortable, and easy to walk in. 

Time will tell if they are durable and stay waterproof.  I only have 40-50 or so trail miles on them.

[splitshot]

  love their gaiters, the best.  good sox also.  mike w

[whacker1]

I really like the Kenetrek fit and feel, but they are not holding up for me.  First pair were the most comfortable.  They lasted 2 full seasons plus training.  I sent them in to have the rebuilt and bought a second set to have a back up.  .

The second set have one boot (left) where it took longer to break in.  They are now broke in, but if I go in steep terrain for longer than 10 miles I started to get a blister at the back of my heel.  I am not sure why, maybe a little more volume in this second set.

back track to the first set that were rebuilt.  5 months of training and early season hunting and they are falling apart at the rubber meeting the leather again, which is where they began to leek the first time.  Buying Freesole to repair them.

Second set is now breaking down in the same places....where the rubber meets the leather.  I don't know if I am just that hard on them and they can't take the wear and tear or if they first set was made to a higher standard than the second set.

I bought a set of lightly used Scarpa's this week to see if I like those or not.  Also looking real hard at trying the Crispi's for this next season.  I figure I have 2017 to run both kenetrek sets into the ground, but now searching for a boot one rung above the kenetrek. 

I still like my Kenetrek's a lot, but from 2014 to the present, they just don't seem to hold up as well as I had hoped.

[T-Dozzer]

Have you looked at Crispi?
Im super picky, have had Kenetrek & love my Crispi boots.

[whacker1]

Have you looked at Crispi?
Im super picky, have had Kenetrek & love my Crispi boots.

Yes, crispi is on my radar for sure.  Going to try out the Scarpa's I just bought to determine whether I want to use them or not.

[2MANY]

Good boots are the ones that fit you.

For me that wasn't Kenetrek.

[Redstar]

I have the insulated mountain extremes and love them. I've had my pair for about 6 years. They've help up great so far. They're still super comfortable, warm, waterproof and do a great job protecting my feet/ankles.

[snake]

meindel Denali's are a great boot. 

[M_ray]

meindel Denali's are a great boot.

 

[northwesthunter84]

For those of you who's Rand is coming loose, which boot oil, grease, waterproofing are you using. I have read a few articles stating that using ones with animal protein cause the adhesive to loosen. Those threads are on rokslide and a pheasant hunting forum. It reacts with the adhesive and is a known issue.

[actionshooter]

I tried the Kenetrek Mountain Extremes, they are great boots but didn't work for me, they are notorious for the heel being a bit large and I had terrible heel slip. Meindels and Lowa GTX have been my go to boots for several years.
 I wouldn't hesitate telling someone to give the Kenetreks a shot though.

[littlemac]

I bought mine this year, went Mountain Guide Extreme and got the Vibram soles that way, rather than the K Talon on the Mountain Extreme.

I found them incredible, comfy, 400 gram was plenty warm, Kennetrek socks are stellar and will order more.

Used in New Mexico and Washington, mostly dry in NM but rocky, WA was wet and muddy and I found the Vibram Vertige was outstanding in both conditions.

Couldn't be happier!