Kenetrek Mountain Extreme 400 - Blister Machines!

[h2ofowlr]

I purchased a new pair of the Kenetrek Mountain Extreme 400 and they make quick blisters.  They are fitted property and I am wearing good socks.  They are just so stiff that any hill climb they instantly start rubbing.  I have tried to lace them up tight as well.  Flat surfaces they are fine along with down hill.  Uphill is a different story.  Do I need to wear them for a month or two on flat terrain prior to doing some hiking?  I have been using Danners for the last 15 years and prior to that I used the Vasque hiking boots.

[deerslyr]

They do require I very long break in period. The other thing Ive heard is they have a fairly wide heel. So if you have a narrow heel it will tear them up no matter how long you break them in for.

[JPhelps]

The last they build their boots off of tend to be more suited for people who have a wider heel. 

A different insole with more volume may move your foot high enough in the boot to tighten everything up and prevent this.

[kentrek]

The last they build their boots off of tend to be more suited for people who have a wider heel. 

A different insole with more volume may move your foot high enough in the boot to tighten everything up and prevent this.

  thats exactly what i did and it made huge diference,also kentrek says to put fifty miles on em to get the broke in..id say mine took around 60-ish

realy is a great boot tho,the more ya use em the more ya love em

good luck

[bobcat]

Sounds painful, I think I'll stick with my Meindl's and Lowa's . Never had a blister from them.

[norsepeak]

Call Kenetrek, they will tell you 30-50 of FLAT ground to break them in before you do any hill climbing etc.  Love my Kenetreks, never had an issue with blisters on mine.

[farmin4u_98948]

I had the same prob. . Put in a diff insole and did not lace it to the top. Now they are great. If you lace it to tight on top the only place for movement is your heel. Have also stopped and loosened them for a long uphill climb then re laced them. Its a good reason for an old guy to take a break and rest.... Ha...

[JLS]

I'm of the opinion that if a boot fits properly, you shouldn't get blisters.  My Lowas don't give me blisters when I'm breaking them in, sometimes a pinch point or slight hot spot, but never hamburger blisters.

I had a pair of LL Bean Cresta Hikers that did that, thought I could break them in, and finally sent them back after getting blisters every time I wore them.  I tried every trick in the book with lacing, insoles, etc and finally decided it shouldn't be that difficult to put on boots.

[BLUEBULLS]

never had a blister with mine. I've never had a blister in any boots while wearing Smart wool socks though.

[h2ofowlr]

I haven't had a blister in 10 years probably, until these new Kenetreks.  Both heels were torched after about 2 miles of steady incline.  Maybe I will just tape up the heels and work at breaking them in on a flat surface along with some different inserts.

I typically can hike all day, but those blister sure make you reconsider quickly.

[7mag.]

I haven't had a blister in 10 years probably, until these new Kenetreks.  Both heels were torched after about 2 miles of steady incline.  Maybe I will just tape up the heels and work at breaking them in on a flat surface along with some different inserts.

I typically can hike all day, but those blister sure make you reconsider quickly.

You need to break them in first on flat ground. Follow the break in recommendations from Kenetrek. I believe it is 40-50 miles on flat ground. I had the same problem with mine. I bought them right before hunting season, and got blisters on both heels. Now they are broken in, and I think they are the best boots I've ever owned. My dad always told me, "if a boot is comfortable the first few times you wear them, they won't last worth a *censored*". I think of him every time I am breaking in a new pair of boots.

[Benny]

I disagree about blisters and breakins w/ Kboots. I've gone through 4 pair, worked with Jim W on every pair and every pair was sent back. I have a pair of Hardscrambles that fit well...but the ME's were flat not for my feet. The heel box is large, if you have narrow heels no amount of break in will reduce the rubbing when climbing up. I've gone through every other pair of major boot brands (Lowa, Meindle, Vasque, Zamberlins, Lathrop, etc) and the only boot that I have found w/ 10" support that fit narrow heels is Meindles. Expensive way to find out but you really don't have a choice if fit isn't good. Out of my hunting partners, there has been a total of 8 pair of Kboots sent back, out of 3 guys.

I hope you have better luck than me....

[MtnMuley]

It's all about the fit and your foot build.  I've broke in 5 pairs.....much in steep terrain, and never had a single issue.  Personally for me, I don't really feel there's a break-in peroid.  They're just a little stiffer for the first 10-20 miles.

[arguhl]

That's a long break in period? Can you send them back ? Ten years of lowa boots, never had a blister issue...just saying.

[JPhelps]

In my opinion it has nothing to do with the brand of boot.  It has everything to do with matching the shape and volume of the foot up with the right boot.

Boots are that piece of gear that you can't take someone else's recommendation on.  You must try them on your own feet to see If they will work.

[deerslyr]

In my opinion it has nothing to do with the brand of boot.  It has everything to do with matching the shape and volume of the foot up with the right boot.

Boots are that piece of gear that you can't take someone else's recommendation on.  You must try them on your own feet to see If they will work.

  Couldnt have said it better. All of the upper echelon boots that cost 3-400 bucks are awesome boots, it just comes down to what fits you best.

[boneaddict]

I like mine, and I challenge anyone to put them to a tougher test.

[colockumelk]

Last year I tried a pair of Kenetreks ME 400's and the Lowa Hunter GTX's.  I went with the Lowas because they fit MY feet the best.  I agree to some people Lowas will tear their feet up and Kenetreks will feel awesome, for others the opposite is true.  Like others have said it all comes down to you foot shape.  The Lowas fit MY feet better than the Kenetreks did which is why I purchased them.  They were comfortable out of the box and took maybe 5 miles to break them in.  Also a big difference is all the big name boots are made super awesome but all come with crappy cheap tiny thin insoles.  The first thing you need to do is throw the insoles away and buy your self some Green Superfeet insoles.  Problem solved.  I also heard that Lathrop and Sons make some really good insoles.  Do this and it should help out.  If they still tear your feet up sell them and try some different boots.  Its not that Kenetrek sucks it just they don't match up with your feet.  Good luck in your choices.