Advice on Kenetrek, Schnee's, or other boots

[firepin]

I had two pair of Schnees, both got sent back. The lacing system with the ball comes apart, pinches and cuts the lacing. Have a pair of Kenetrek  ME and could not be happier.

Which models?  Or do they all have this lacing system?

I dont believe that the Beartoothot II has the roller laces.  The granite have them in the description and the picture clearly shows them.  The Beartooth II dont mention the roller laces and the picture, although not as clear, doesn't look like the same style of laces.  Thats actually why I was leaning towards the Beartooth instead of the granite, that didnt look very robust to me.

The Bear tooth II show the Easy Roller System. It is the 8 bottom eyes.

[Duckhunter14]

I will never buy Kenetrek again after they took my $175 for a rebuild on my mountain extremes and after leaking on the first trip out. Called customer service, they said send them back. Sent them back and they called and said the boots were shot. Nothing they can do. I reminded them that they had just rebuilt them a couple weeks earlier and told me they were able to be rebuilt. They said there was nothing they could do and sent them back. No return and no explanation.

I'm on my fourth pair of the Kenetrek hikers (they just keep falling apart) and the last pair I sent it they called and said they wont send me anymore because I walk to the outside of my foot and the boots aren't made for that. They said I need to buy the all leather $400 hikers instead. They lost my service. I tell everyone I know to avoid them.

[spin05]

Go check out the new Hoffman exploreers.  Very nice boots

[Bushcraft]

Kenetreks have been hyped-up garbage in my experience.  They have no heel cup and heel slip is a rampant problem. I'd bet that more heels have been eaten by Kene's than all other boots combined.

I burned through 4 pair in 4 years.  The first pair was super comfy but leaked like a sieve.  Pairs 2, 3 and 4 ate my heels unless I devoted a lot of time to aggressively wrap them every time I put them on. The last pair was shot after a short 20 mile break-in period and one grueling alpine bear hunt in August.  None of them were waterproof.  Their owner and customer service folks had a tendency to not believe me when I sent them in for inspection and/or outright lied that they've never seen their boots leak or wear out that fast (Until I called them out on their BS because I knew LOTS of people whose Kene's leaked and sent them back. And my hunting buddy had sent his boots in the week prior with pre-mature wear issues!).     

The first pair of Schnee's Granites I bought leaked (right boot), but they immediately replaced them and the second pair have lasted...with the caviate that I really only use them for easy front country stuff. (I'm done with all leather boots for serious highcountry hunting.)  They have a good heal cup and are very comfortable right out of the box.

Made the switch to Scarpa's and have never looked back.

[MtnMuley]

LOL, I wouldn't say they're "hyped-up" garbage by any means.  You obviously fall the small heal category, and yes, the boots aren't for you then.  I've own and have owned nearly 10 pairs and have had the heel slip on one left boot in particular.  Their customer service was as you described, unbelieving.  Pretty pathetic from a company I've supported since the first show they sold boots at.  Using freesole around the rand when new cures the rand peeling which nearly every pair I've owned peel at some point.  As for waterproofing, I can never get any brand of boots that get used hard to keep all water out after 6 months.  I rely on waxing/greasing to slow it down.  My last couple pair of boots have been Crispi's and I'm very happy.  Awesome customer service that will bend over backwards to help you too.  I like that.

[Karl Blanchard]

I'm with mtnmuley on the water proof thing.  Boots are gonna eventually leak some water through grommets and such.  All my leather boots get a full can of snow seal baked in before season and then a good cleaning and coating after season. 

With that said, the kenetreks I've used leaked hard right out of the gate. First pair I just treated constantly till I wore the sole off (standard one season).  Figured it was a fluke so got another pair.  Same thing so I scrapped them for wood cutting boots and moved on. 

[birddogdad]

if your military, Kenetrek offers a 25% discount direct. FYI

[2MANY]

If you enjoy blisters............Buy Kenawhatevers.

[baker5150]

I wonder if Kenetrek just has a quality control issue.

I've had 2 pairs that my favorite boot I've ever worn.    I've also had a pair that leaked right out of the box.

It's also true that not every foot is the same, and guys who blame boots for pre-maturely wearing out can sometimes attest that to how they walk, how their foot is shaped, etc.  We can't expect boot manufacturers to cater to every foot shape, it's impossible.
For those, i'd suggest getting into the custom market and having a boot made for their foot.  Maybe there you can find a boot that fits your foot perfectly, and is made to perform how you need it to.  instead of an off the shelf "one style fits some".

[jrebel]

I'm on my second set of Zamberlan boots and have absolutely no complaints.  I agree that rebuilding hunting boots is often not worth it....atleast to me anyhow.  I wear mine year around and usually get 3-4 years out of them.  Never had to use their warranty so can't speak much to that. 

[CoryTDF]

Here is a link to some reviews I have done. Hope they help. You will see I really like Schnee's and Zamberlan

http://ireviewgear.com/category/boots/

[elkaholic123]

I have 1 pair of Kenetreks ME 1000gr that are 10 years old, I only wear them elk hunting, never really on pavement and still look pretty good, 1 pair of 400gr that are 6 years old and wear deer hunting, neither pair have leaked. I am sure I am not as hard on them as some guys but seem to hold up well.

[stlusn30-06]

Maybe this is too obvious of a question, but what specifically are you planning on doing with these boots? Late season Elk? Or are you looking for an "all arounder". There is a big difference between the 200g of insulation in the Schnees and the 400g in the Kenetreks. IMHO 400g is too much for anything, but late season hunts unless you aren't moving.

That said, I don't have experience with the boots you asked about, but did run the Granite IIs last season. Put a few thousand vertical feet on them and was super impressed. I did not have the lacing issues the others have mentioned. Maybe that'll creep up in the future. I have a foot that measures medium width, but borders on narrow. Was able to get the laces cinched tight enough to lock my heel pert near completely. Also, seem to be of  high quality construction. I own and have worked in some of the best non-hunting boots (Wesco, Whites etc..), and like to believe I know what to look for when it comes to quality construction. Was impressed enough that I am seriously considering the non insulated Beartooths for stuff that takes place outside of the gnarliest high country. But again, only 1 good year to go off here. I'll be disappointed with anything short of 3 hard years.

Didn't quote the guy, but someone mentioned Scarpa. Nothing wrong with borrowing from the Mountaineering world. They've been getting big dollars invested in boot refinement for a long time. The boots you mentioned are both made in Italy, and are likely sourced from mountaineering boot companies. I'm looking at the Scarpa Wrangell as well.