Lowa Hunter GTX vs Kenetrek Mt Xtreme

[MtnMuley]

Wow, I'm surprised there was overwhelming favor to the Lowa's.  After owning them both, I am for Kenetrek all the way.  Personally, I like the uninsulated, as I spend most of my time on the move.  Most comfortable, best boot I've ever seen built.

[colockumelk]

After about 50 miles of break in they should be getting pretty comfy.  Danner is not even in the same league as Lowa.  The GTXs are very good boots.  I wore my Lowa Sheep Hunters to climb Mt. Adams last year and they worked great.  They are a little warm for September, I usually wear an uninsulated boot that time of year.

Good price too....

That's good to hear JLS.  These are definately way more of a boot than Danner.  I just meant they are'nt pillow comfy out of the box like Danner.  I chased my son around for 30 minutes today and they felt even better.

MtnMuley.  I have always looked at the Kenetreck but I got a heck of a deal on the Lowas.  $100 cheaper than the Kenetreks were.  They feel great so I think I made a good decision.  That being said I'm sure if I would have bought Kenetreks they would have been just as awsome. 

[Maligator]

Thanks. For all the input. I went with the Lowas hunter gtx.  They are normally $399 but I got a brand new pair for $287 to my door.

That's a helluva deal. I'd have snagged them up at that price too! 

[JPhelps]

I can't stress enough that you need to get a boot that fits you.  Both of these boots have similar construction, if I remember correctly they both have full length shanks, full leather uppers, full rubber rands.  The MAIN difference is they are built on different lasts.  The Lowa tends to be narrower in the heel than the Kenetrek's.

A good deal on the internet can end up being a bad deal if they don't fit and the company doesn't have a good return policy and unfortunatley we never really now how the boot will feel until about 50 miles of break in.

[JLS]

I can't stress enough that you need to get a boot that fits you.  Both of these boots have similar construction, if I remember correctly they both have full length shanks, full leather uppers, full rubber rands.  The MAIN difference is they are built on different lasts.  The Lowa tends to be narrower in the heel than the Kenetrek's.

A good deal on the internet can end up being a bad deal if they don't fit and the company doesn't have a good return policy and unfortunatley we never really now how the boot will feel until about 50 miles of break in.

Exactly right.  I would wear Danner Pronghorns before I'd wear Kennetreks.  The Kennetrek last simply does not fit my foot.  They are outstanding boots and I have friends that love them.  I'd end up a cripple in one day wearing them.

Both are resoleable too, and should give you years of service.  Just don't set them too close to the fire when you're warming up (voice of experience humbly speaking)

[MtnMuley]

Best of luck with them colockumelk, as they are also a great, high end, boot.  I agree, at that price, a guy almost has to go that route.

[JLS]

One thought here on boot dressing.  I used Obenauf's on two pairs of Lowas, and on each one had some delamination where the rand attaches to the leather.  The repair shop I sent them to in Seattle told me not to use Obenauf's because of a chemical reaction with the salts in the leather that causes the delamination.

I'm not trying to start a flame war here, and I've used Obenauf's for years.  But, I'd darned sure check with Lowa to see if they will warranty the boots if you choose to use that on them.  Kennetrek began selling their own version of Obenauf's because they used a run of glue on the rands that would delaminate with the Obenauf's.

Good luck.

[MtnMuley]

Good info JLS.  I hadn't heard that, but will be checking.

[colockumelk]

I had heard that about the Lowas having a narrow heel.  This is another reason I tried them first.  I have a wide forefoot and a regular heel.  So with most boots if I get a wide I have a good fit up front but a sloppy heel.  Or if I get a regular width boot I have a crammed front and a normal heel.  These boots fit me awsome.  The wide has enough room for my front and the "narrower" heel locks my heel in place. 

JLS that is AWSOME info about the boot dressing.  Which boot dressing would you recommend me using for my Lowas?

[JLS]

I use Nikwax or Sno Seal now.  I still use Obenauf's on my Sheep Hunters cause I figure any damage is already done.  The delamination was really bad on my Banffs, not so bad on the Sheep Hunters.  The campfire hurt them way more than the Obenauf's did. 

I guess I'd just check with them and make sure they'll stand behind warranty issues for delamination with whatever you wish to use.

[MtnMuley]

Nikwax made my Kenetreks squeel BAD!  I spoke with Kenetrek several times and they said they had numerous complaints about that with the Nikwax that they originally recommended.  He then recommended sno seal, which I've never really been a fan of for hunting boots.  Kenetrek then modified there extreme boot by replacing a leather tongue section with a cordura.  This has seemed to work on the noise issue so far, but I've also nioticed they are recommending their boot dressing now, and it sure appears to be just like, if not, Obenaufs.

[Skyvalhunter]

If you buy the Kennetrek Or for that matter Lowa's buy some freesole and go over the seams and stitching as your boots will last longer and be more water resistant. Personally I would go with the Kennetrek.

[colockumelk]

So I looked at the care info for the Lowas.  And I'm sure its the exact same for any Leather Boot.  It says not to use products that have oils or fats in them.  Only use product that are wax based.  I then did some poking around on the internet and this makes sense.  Because when they tan leather they take all the oils and fats out of the leather.  Thus if you use a product that has oils or fats in them it will literally rot the leather.  So I looked on Sno-Seals website like some of you have recommended and they are a wax based product.  So Sno-Seal it will be for my boots.  I hope this helps someone else out as well.  Remember if its leather ONLY use wax based products.  No oils or fats. 

[JLS]

That's true for chrome tanned leather, such as Lowas.  However, there is also oil tanned leather like you'd find in White's.  That is what Obenauf's was originally designed for.  Obenauf's hit the hunting market by being approved for Gore-Tex footwear.

Thanks for the heads up on the Shoebuy sale.  I have a pair of Lowa Baffins headed my way (that will see only Sno-Seal and sit far away from the campfire).

[colockumelk]

Hey no problem JLS.  Just happy to pass on a good deal to anybody who is in the market for new boots.