Hey everybody. I am a relative rookie when it comes to Western hunting (2 seasons under my belt). I currently wear a pair of Danner Pronghorns that I have been less than impressed with. I've taken plenty of time to break them in and they still cause me blisters with week long hunts in the backcountry (and I really try to take care of my feet). I have a buddy who swears by his Kenetreks...are they really worth the price tag? I ask this because for me an extra $250-$300 is worth not having blisters for the next 5-10 seasons. What are your thoughts?
Are Kenetrek boots worth the price tag?
- Thread starter ttewes
- Start date
As long as they fit YOUR feet well, they are worth the price. You will hear people swear by them and hear people say they caused heel blisters terribly. It is all about proper fit. As far as quality and craftsmanship, I don't think there is a question about that. I personally use Lowa Tibet GTX boots and the Meindle Perfekt Hunters. I have been fortunate that both of these fit my feet well and both work great for me.
Team Kabob
Very Active Member
- May 9, 2014
- 793
- 148
My buddy loves his kenetreks; he used them in Alaska hiking and hunting. Me personally I wear the lowa Tibets GTX because they fit my feet and love my boots too. I also used mine when hiking Alaska and hunting last year. A quality boot is going to come down to the fit. If you don't take care of your feet it's going to be hard to hunt!
tdcour
Veteran member
I'm in the same boat as La an Kabob. I wear the Lowa Tibets as well. I tried Kennetrek boots, but they didn't fit me right. A buddy of mine is a guide in New Mexico and hikes 5-15 miles a day during elk and deer hunts when he is tracking them through the canyons. Also hunts mountain lions out there and chases the dogs as they are running. The guy buys a brand new pair every year and has done so for 5 or 6 years now. It all depends on your foot, but yes the high end boots are worth the price tag in my opinion
Team Kabob
Very Active Member
- May 9, 2014
- 793
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Also sometimes you can find them on the internet with a big savings. 20-30% off with the holidays coming. Need to know your exact size first.
buckbull
Veteran member
- Jun 20, 2011
- 2,166
- 1,351
There are two things you should never cheap out on: boots and optics. An ill fitting boot can make a hunting trip miserable at best; ruin it at the worse. I have Lowa Rangers and can't speak enough about them. The rangers do not have as stiff as a sole compared to the tibets. I always hunt from base camp and just have a day back so the rangers fit my hunting style better. There are many boot manufacturers that have offerings: Crispi, Zambarlan, Hanwag, etc. Shoebuy.com and Zappos.com have boots at decent prices and a free return policy if you don't live close to a dealer.
sneakypete
Veteran member
I bought a pair sept. 23 and put at least 15 miles on then mountain extreme 400's and have hunted elk in them this week, by far the best boots with support I've ever bought.
Team Kabob
Very Active Member
- May 9, 2014
- 793
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The rangers boots are good too. Those are my work boots; just like a tennis shoea.
wa-hunter
Active Member
- Apr 24, 2014
- 235
- 7
i got my first pair of Kenetrek guide 400 gram this year and hated them for weeks trying to get them broken in. got horrible blisters on my heals. they are very very stiff. but with that said after about 50 miles or so of steep terrain they finally broke in and i wouldn't trade them for anything. just got back from a long idaho back country hunt and wore them the whole time and my feet felt great! very aggressive tread and great support very happy i got them. if you do get a pair don't plan on just taking them out of the box and hunting in them.
Going higher end on boots is generally worth it...if the design fits your foot well. Otherwise it's a costly learning process. I bought Kenetrks a few years ago. Very well made, but I'm one of those guys that gets heel blisters from them. I still kept them. They're fine for flat to moderate terrain. It's the steep uphill hiking where they tear up my heel. They just don't have much of a heal cup in the design. By now I've probably put 75 miles on them, maybe more. They've gotten better, but not good enough to risk a hunt on them. I sent them back to have them work on them, but it didn't really help me. Bad part with high end boots is the cost of learning if something fits your foot well. The lighter synthetics fit my feet better, like Asolo and Salomon (Quest GTX 4D). They're normally $250 or so, but you can pick up great deals on last years model on Sierra Trading Post. Often half price or less. Not as durable as all leather, but you can't beat the price and I buy new ones every 3-4 years. Would love to try the Crispi or Lowa, but can't afford to have another Kenetrek experience.
OregonJim
Very Active Member
nwwa huner
Member
- Jun 29, 2011
- 79
- 0
I love mine. Have put tons of miles on and amazing right out of the box. Found a deal so I bought another pair but even though I've put the first pair through 200+ tough miles and 50+ hunting days I have no clue when they may wear out. They still look to be in great shape.
Elkhunter96
Active Member
I have two pairs of them. A little hint, eBay...
I have the mountain extreme 400s and also a discontinued one called the desert safari. Love them both, especially the desert safaris. Same with my old man
I have the mountain extreme 400s and also a discontinued one called the desert safari. Love them both, especially the desert safaris. Same with my old man
I've used Redwing boots since 1979. The big draw back is that they are not waterproof but then they were never advertised as such. I use then ONLY for hunting. I had my first pair for 18 years. Got my second pair in '96 and am still using today. They are heavy and have great ankle support. I have put many many miles on them and never got any blisters, for me the fit is perfect. I'm old fashioned so I am not someone who has to have the latest and greatest on the market, I just can't bear to pay $400-$500 for a pair of boots.
westenvy
Member
Took a long time to break mine in and suffered some blisters in the process, but don't give up. There is a thread on here about lacing boots. After I began lacing them differently, it greatly improved the fit. I would check that threat out. Keeps your heel back in the boot. Good Luck.
Retterath
Veteran member
I have the kenetrek mountain extreme 400 and love them. Used them in alaska this year for 5 straight days walking through water all the time and never leaked. Great boot
Elkfitness
Member
I try them on every year at the sportsmans expo in Denver, but can never bring myself to drop to cash.
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