Normally I wouldn't add my opinion to a boot thread 5 pages long, but I thought I'd throw this in:
Last year my VA doc told me that I should start wearing orthopedic shoes. I noticed that Kenetrek started making an orthopedic version of the Mountain Extreme. No way I was going to fork out $700 for them, but I noticed a pair on Ebay for a couple hundred bucks in my size, so I bid on them. Wound up getting them for under $300. When they arrived, they basically looked like a set of Mountain Extremes, with some kind of rod on both sides of the uppers for support. The midsole was stiffer than my old Kenetreks, but that could be just because they are new.
I wore them this year elk hunting in Idaho. They're great. Probably the first year that I haven't twisted my ankle in some way (my ankles are shot, as is my knee, hip and back). I also noticed that I am much less fatigued after hiking in them than in my old boots (I wore the old boots the first day).
Just thought I'd throw that out there if anyone is thinking about buying a pair.
I still don't know that I would fork out $689 for them. I don't see $200 worth of "extra" features from regular Mountain Extremes. I suspect the cost is the result of people buying them with their health insurance or HSAs. I do like mine though.
