Does anyone have any experience with Kennetrek? I noticed that they don't offervwide sizes. Most all of my footwear is wide sized. How do they run size wise?

K boots have a good rep. However the fine print on the pair I nearly bought stated they were made in Thailand. Notice how they are not called Kenetrak Boots of Montana any longer? These, like 90% of the stuff Cabelas sells are made cheaply in other countries and marked up a large amount by retailers here. Whenever possible I'd rather pay the extra and buy American. (Except for double rifles and Courteney boots, of course).
Just my 2 cents.
Cal

You can't go wrong with Russell's.

http://www.russellmoccasin.com...ri/boots_safari.html

Because they are custom made to your feet, wide is not an issue.

I have a pair of Kenetrek Mt extremes and I am unimpressed.

quote:

Originally posted by tanks:
You can't go wrong with Russell's.

Because they are custom made to your feet, wide is not an issue.

If you do a search here you will find that you CAN go wrong with Russell's. When they're great they are great, but they often do not live of to the billing of "custom made/custom fit".

I've got exactly one pair of the Russell Mountain PH boots and they are my favorite hunting boot. I've put them through the paces, but heard all of the horror stories. Thankfully, I didn't experience any of them.

My Courtneys are a favorite for town and light hunting, but they have an issue with a small knot in the instep of my right boot, so they won't work for hard hunting use. I've tried to correct it, without success so far.

No experience with the boots you mentioned, but I too prefer to buy American when feasible.

I have two pair of Kenetrek boots and I love them. Both pairs have stood up to a tremendous amount of abuse for a number of hunting seasons. Both pair are made in Italy. Some of Kenetrek's boots may be sourced from other countries, I simply do not know.

I also have 3 pair of Russell boots. They too have served me well for their intended purpose, however, they do not give me the support I need for hardscrabble side hilling in the mountains, but that was not the intended purpose when I bought them.

We all use our boots for different needs. I do not think that one can buy/use a boot for all conditions and call it good. One pair of Kenetrek's and one pair of Russell's will go to Africa with me this summer.

There are some great boots out there and we all have different feet. The latter is the issue. Some boots fit some people well and others have problems with them. In all of my boots, Kenetrek and Russell I use the green Superfeet insole https://www.superfeet.com because it adds the additional arch support that I need. Kenetrek also makes an insole and I have those as well.

I've purchased boots from Bestard in Spain http://www.bestard.com because they made a boot that I needed for a specific purpose. I had to order them from Europe because they are not sold in the US. They continue to serve me well for the intend purpose.

Lathrop and Sons will make you a custom pair as well. http://www.lathropandsons.com

Just in case you wanted to ask, my "boot collection" does not even compare to Imelda Marcos's legendary 3000 plus shoe collection!

quote:

Originally posted by JBrown:

quote:

Originally posted by tanks:
You can't go wrong with Russell's.

Because they are custom made to your feet, wide is not an issue.

If you do a search here you will find that you CAN go wrong with Russell's. When they're great they are great, but they often do not live of to the billing of "custom made/custom fit".

I know others have had great experiences with Russell, but mine was horrible.

Sorry that some of you had issues with Russell, my experience has been positive, and just ordered another pair from them during the SCI show.

Now, as far as Kenetrek is concerned, I do need a pair of boots for riding, and hunting in cold weather, so I was looking at theses.
http://www.kenetrek.com/prodin...vk87wCFUcV7AodcWUAUA

They did seem comfortable enough when I tried them on. Still searching for solutions though.

I bought a pair for mountain hunting. I can't wear them.

The kenetrks are the only pair of boots I've ever owned that will blow a huge blister in my heel when carry a heavy load in rough country.

They just about killed me on a solo goat hunt in the high country several years ago. I've never had this problem with any other boost after hundreds of miles and thousands of vertical feet in rough country.

I had broken in and worn those boots in for nearly a year before the hunt. But the problems came in when I went from cotton to wool socks and increased my pack load. I know have a $400.00 dollar pair of floor ornaments in the closet.

I have a pair and really like them, but not for Africa. Kenetreks I have are for mountain hunting.

Wear a light weight, tennis shoe type boot/shoe if you can find one. My last two trips I wore regular sneakers with gaiters.

I have a tough time with hiking boots as well
Growing up from a small child all I have ever worn is cowboy boots. So you can imagine my feet are shaped like cowboy boots, narrow, extremely high arch.
When I was wrangling horses and guiding generally off horse back I used Whites Packers and other brands of packers and they worked well for that as they are cowboy boot, just a lace up version.
I ws thinking about trying a pair of Courteney Patrols, what is the arch like in a pair of those and how is the support?

I agree with Larry and surestrike about the Kennewrecks. One of the most uncomfortable mountain hikers I have ever owned. I used them one time on a Alaska Self Guided Hunt on the Peninsula, damn near killed me. As soon as they got a little wet and heavy things started to go badly quick. I got to the point where I had most of my feet wrapped in duct tape to cover the blisters. The one pair of Russell Bird Hunters I have I cant wear more than a couple hours and walk very far in rough country with them, the "custom" sizing is to wide and long and my feet slip around in side them. I sent them back after I initially received them to have them altered and Russell sent them back to me after about 6 months without any changes that I could tell, suggesting that I use more leather conditioner on them??? They work out ok walking flat ground looking for pheasants, but I would not suggest anyone with feet like mine buying them. No arch, no support.
Anyway if anyone has an opinion on the Courtenay Patrols I would be interested. I have a lady in Harare that I can have pick me up a pair prior to my arrival there in May. I can break them in while there, alternating between a pair of Vasque hikers I have been using for years

I have a pair of Kenetreks that I just love for mountain hiking. I too have wider feet. I bought a pair and they were too narrow. Sent back and they sent a new pair. Still didn't feel right. Didn't get them sent back for 3 years..... They then proceeded to send me a new pair to try which fit perfectly. Worked great on my bighorn sheep hunt 1 1/2 yrs ago.
I looked at the exact same pack boots that you linked to for my recent Marco Polo Kyrg hunt. I didn't buy them, but wished a couple of times that I had. I believe those are the same boots as my bighorn sheep guide used with his later season hunts. Buy 1/2 to 1 size larger than what you normally wear to accommodate socks and foot width. You can always send them back. Great company to deal with. Bruce

My only comment about the Courtneys is you need to personally try them on. They are made in Zim. Size, well that's a relative thing.

I own and love a pair of Italian made Kennetrek Mountain Extremes. I tend to need a wide boot and my arches are high.

I am in an 11 1/2 M. I had 4 or 5 different sizes on until I was satisfied with the fit.

I think these boots might be a little warm for most of Africa.

My experience was they run narrow. I doubt an E width could wear them.

I have horrible feet (was 4F for Uncle Sam but still served 3 years) and found that New Balance hikers worked awesome for me on my first trip in 2011. I took two pair (well broken in) and when I got back one pair didn't feel right on my feet. Went back to the store where I bought them, and since it was less than one year since I bought them (well worn by now) they gave me a new pair no questions asked. Don't get no better than that!

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
I have a pair and really like them, but not for Africa. Kenetreks I have are for mountain hunting.

Wear a light weight, tennis shoe type boot/shoe if you can find one. My last two trips I wore regular sneakers with gaiters.

You wear light tennis shoe types here and you will be digging at night, or someone else can do the digging while you howl.

Kenetrek boots are good. I like Lowas better. They have a better rand and soles. That said I couldn't imagine needing them in Africa unless you're hunting mountain nyala, but perhaps I'm thinking more about their mountaineering boats.

Brett

For mountain boots, I've noticed that it's important to know where the boot was designed and what works for your feet. In a broad sense, you have Italian lasted boots (Kennetrek, Schnees, Asolo, Older Vasque, etc.) and German lasted boots (Meindel, Lowa, etc.).

I have a normal to slightly narrow foot. I can wear any Italian lasted boot and it will fit my foot like a glove almost from day one. German boots kill my feet. The last just doesn't work with the shape of my foot. The toe box and heel just don't feel right.

My current boots are Kennetrek Mountain Extreme UI's with Superfeet Merino insoles. After a year of use, I don't have any complaints about them. They're a good boot if they fit your foot.

Buy them on Amazon and you can save 25% if it's your first Amazon shoe purchase.

I really like my Zamberlan Vioz boots. They are all leather, Italian made and very comfortable with little to no break in required.