Kenntrek. Boits
Equipment
A real disappointed in the way these boots have turned out they're not what they used to be I'm a sheep and goat and moose guide here in Colorado and I can't get the life out of these boots like back five years ago the souls fall off they shrink anybody else having problems
yep, i have issues mainly with the soles.
i can wear the original soles off in a season. the newer K73 soles last a bit longer (not much) but are slippery as all get out on rocks and in snow.
my feet feel very clammy and cold in them too, more so than other makes.
I couldn't handle them to stiff thought they'd break in but they broke me first. I'll stick with my Crispi's.
Mine have went on a BC Goat hunt, MT Elk Hunt, Kodiak Brown Bear Hunt, MO Black Bear Hunt, and countless whitetail hunts and “exploring” hikes. The rubber is separating from the leather on the upper part of the boots, but I blame myself as I didn’t know what leather care was when I got them. Overall I’ve been satisfied and don’t plan on looking at any other companies. Made in 2016 and still going somewhat strong, haven’t leaked a drop knock on wood.
Yup I wear through a pair of soles in a year also. On my third
Yep. After about ten years and 4 pairs (I think) I just abandoned them after the last two pairs separated at the sole. I just don’t think their quality is as good as it was when I started wearing them. Trying Crispis this year.
How long do you think they should last? I get it, you're a sheep, goat and moose guide and put these boots through the harshest conditions. So you know that the terrain is rugged and difficult and going to be hard on gear. I have done lot's of sheep, goat and moose hunting here in Alaska. It takes a toll on gear, I have yet to find any gear that will last a lifetime (maybe the Western Mountaineering sleeping bag?) I've tried lots of boots and none will last for 3-4 seasons, except for the Kolfoach plastic boots which were absolute torture. I've found the Kenetreks to be the most comfortable for ME but alas the soles wear out...
Ron P. with the heel blister is obviously a wrong size/fit issue and not a boot construction issue. It happens and we should learn from it!
akmtnhunter, wasn't me with the blister and fit issue. i had no issues with fit or support.
regarding your question "how long do you think they should last?". i know that question was to the OP and not me but, when i hunted much more than i do now a pair of meindl boots would last about 5 seasons. kenetreks would not last half that long.
Dang that's a bummer to hear. I also had a pair of Kennetreks years ago that went through at least 4 seasons of heavy year round use and held up great. Heard some bad things happening so have been trying new brands but disappointed so far. I was going to go back to Kennetrek for my next pair but things aren't sounding great. So far I've burned up 2 pairs of crispis, 1 season each. 1 pair of Hanwags 2 seasons use and on my second season of a pair of Schnees....they aren't gonna make it past this year.
I burn Crispi's up in 18 months consistently. Best luck I've had is with Lowa...not sure why I keep buying Crispi!
2years seams to be about the max I get out of any brand
After that there just isn’t much tread left on them
I could probably always squeeze out one more season, but the amount of traction I have lost after two years is VERY noticeable. One year I tried to stretch a 3rd elk season out of my kenetrecks, ended up with a seam coming apart in both heals. This let me kick off a 7 day mid September back pack hunt with wet feet after the first creek crossing. It snowed pretty much every night, and the inside of my boots were frozen every morning.
I no longer try to get a 3 rd year out of my boots
Have some Kennetrek Hardscrabbles and they have worked well for me - 3 elk trips/hunts/seasons so far - no complaints.
I love my Kenetreks. I have 4 pair and tore a top lace eye out of one but other than that no problems for me. I wish I knew how many miles are on them.
Sorry RonP...wrong poster! Meindls haven't lasted longer than the Kennetreks in my experience. Boots are so subjective and it's bummer to have to put them through the ringer to find what fit is best. I wore Meindls on one sheep hunt and I lost both big toe nails and had complete heal blisters on both feet after an extreme decent. It's all part of the deal, it's what we do!
I’m a believer in Schnees. This will be my 4th season in my “Divide mids”. I wore consistently for 2/3 months to break in leading up to my first hunt and had no issues whatsoever. A few hot spots popped up but was able to tape up and they kicked ass. Have treated the leather consistently and they’re still going strong.
I got 12 years of hard elk hunting out of a pair of Mountain Extremes. I bought them in 2010. I love them. If you’re getting blisters it’s usually because of improper size or width. Over the years my friends who were outfitting and guiding told me that they didn’t make them the same anymore. That they were wearing out souls and having other problems. That’s all I needed to hear. I just bought a pair of Schnees Granites. Also made in Italy.
I do a little preventative maintenance before using them. I run a bead of Aqua Seal (formerly Freesole) all the way around the top of the rand and also at the bottom of the rand where it meets the sole. Then I use Tuff Toe to completely protect the toe and the fronts of the sides, which take the most abuse. It’s been along time since I bought boots. I guess I’ll see.
You should've just bought another pair of kenetreks. They're bad ass as you know..
Did you draw your deer tag?
They were badass. Lots of people saying they’re not what they used to be though. Yes I drew the deer tag.
