Questions on Kenetrek and Zamberlan

[Dakota Drifter]

I'm having trouble finding a boot that fits like the Meindl Air Revolution. I have tried all the other uninsulated Meindl's and I don't like the feel of any of them. My feet must be messed up as I had a shoe place measure my feet the other day and the straight measurement was right at 9.5 but my arch measurement was 10.5. He said I should be wearing either 10 or 10.5. I have been wearing 10's forever.
Question on Kenetreks NI: I bought a pair of 10's (fit good in store) and now they are much looser after break in than new ones that I now try on in the store and my heels get hot spots when going up or down hills. Should I have gone with 9.5's ? I don't want my toes to hit when going down hill.
Question on Zamberlan: Ordered a pair of Outfitter's 9.5 and they were loose fitting so I sent them back. Now I'm looking at getting the Cougar GTX and I'm not sure what size to order as I can't find a place that has free returns if the size is wrong. Do they recommend a half size smaller for the cougar's like they do for the Outfitter's ?

 

[sneakypete]

First off, I have the mountain extremes 400, I wear a silk sock liner and rei expedition socks combo. I do admit they took about twenty miles to break them in. I'll never buy another brand. I also changed the insole liners to super feet.

 

[Work2hunt]

I am not sure of your budget, but have you considered talking with lathrop and sons? They are pretty good at dissecting boot issues over the phone. They also do custom boots but the price gets pretty high.

 

[Camelcluch]

YouTube search "alternative ways to lace boots." Should find something to keep from slipping. It made all the difference with my Kennetreks.

 

[Timberstalker]

I will be able to give you my take in a month. I just bought some Zamberlan Sherpa tops, I haven't worn them enough to give a review. I've been running my Kenetrecks for the last 5 years, they are done. I've never been 100% satisfied with them so I wasn't going to buy another pair.

 

[luckynv]

I have kenetreks so that I could have them resoled. I also have narrow heels and Kenetrek has installed heel cups to keep my heels from slipping around. Without the heel cups I was ready to throw them out. Made all the difference. Good luck and God bless

 

[Dakota Drifter]

I've thought about Lathrop and Sons but I'm afraid I wont have enough time to go thru their process and break the boots in time for September. I watched the video on here on how to tie boots and that helped but still had heel slip.
Luckynv how did you go about getting heel cups?

 

[luckynv]

I saw their booth at the Rmef show a couple of years ago. I told them I like the boots but my heels were all blistered up and I was going to look for a different brand. They told me to send them in and ask to get the heel cups installed and assured me from what I told them that would cure the problem. So I called and ordered them over the phone and told them what happened and who I talked with and they said it would take about an extra week and I would have them. They showed up and after the break in joy they were great. I then sent in the pair that I was wearing and had them resoled and heel cups installed. No extra charge for the heel cups. Might be too late to get yours redone but I am sure you could order new ones with the cups and have them ready by this season. good luck and God bless

 

[Timberstalker]

I will be able to give you my take in a month. I just bought some Zamberlan Sherpa tops, I haven't worn them enough to give a review. I've been running my Kenetrecks for the last 5 years, they are done. I've never been 100% satisfied with them so I wasn't going to buy another pair.

Went for my first walk in the new Zamberlans. 3 miles = blister on the right heal.

 

[Bughalli]

I tried Kenetreks. Gave me heel blisters the first day and heel blisters up until the day I sold them....which was probably 75 miles later. I sent mine back half way through, wore double socks, changed the insoles. Nothing worked. They said they worked on them when I sent them back, but it was only a slight improvement. No real modifications. Safe to say they didn't fit my foot. So I let the next guy cuss a them.

 

[WapitiBob]

A piece of Gorilla tape across the heel will prevent blister from forming when you have some heel lift. it sticks very well and is thin enough to not increase volume and exacerbate the problem.