Boots, the expensive kind

[gunman870]

All, I am accumulating gear for a New Mexico elk trip this fall and figured I better get a jump on outfitting the bottom end first. My old Danner boots have seen their better days already and I am in the market for something a little more substantial. Usually, I stick to the Midwest and get along fine here, but with heading west and getting off the flat land, I am considering something more along the lines of a "mountain boot". My wife has a pair of Kenetrek boots I got her for her from an elk banquet and they sure seem like a nice boot. I myself have a pair of Schnees packs that I wouldn't part with for the world, so those are the two brands I am looking into. Kenetrek Mountain extreme or the Schnees Granite line. I have read many articles about Lowa, and a bunch of others but these two brands I have at least some first-hand experiences with. Not saying I can't be persuaded elsewhere but had narrowed down to start here. I would like something that will last quite a few seasons, primarily out west, but also here at home if needed. I also plan to hunt other western states as well so these will hopefully have plenty of future. For a few stats, I am a bigger guy, 6'2" and about 230 or a touch lighter by season time. I have no problem shelling out money for quality but also hate to be bent over. Does anyone have experience with both directly, pro/con reviews? I am looking for insulated. The Kenetrek's have 400g and the Schnees can be had in 2 or 600 versions. I typically am pretty warm blooded so was thinking the 200g would be sufficient. Thanks all in advance!

 

[DngBat7]

Kind of pricey. But the Kenetrek are great. When you wear them out, they will completely rebuild them for a fee. I have the mountain guides and love them

Kenetrek Mountain Guide 400 Boots - Men's , Brown Up to $5.05 Off w/ Free S&H — 21 models

Shop Kenetrek Mountain Guide 400 Boots - Men's | Up to $5.05 Off 5 Star Rating on 1 Review for Kenetrek Mountain Guide 400 Boots - Men's + Free Shipping over $49.

www.opticsplanet.com

 

[gunman870]

I believe both boots referenced are rebuildable! That is one factor that I did already weigh, thank you for your input. Can I ask why you went guide over extreme?

 

[DngBat7]

I will try to find it, there is reviews on YouTube that the guide is a newer version and said to be more durable. When I called the company, they said the same thing.

 

[Monte F]

I have the Schnees Granites for Elk hunting and they are very nice. They are built in Europe for Schnees, as are the Lowa, Crispi, Scarpa, and other mountaineering boots.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Rifle hunt or bowhunt? I would go no insulation for bowhunt. Kenetrek have been best boots I have had. I have a guide and mt extreme. I have Whites mountain pack boots, great when snow is over 10". Premium wool socks,like Buffalo, greatly add to comfort and warmth. Check fit walking down hill, you don't want your foot sliding forward pushing toes into toe box. This is very important when packing(hopefully meat for you).

 

[bobinpa]

I was where you are now a couple of years ago. I would suggest calling Lathrop and sons. I ended up with their mountain hunters with their custom molded footbed. I really like them. They give fantastic support! The process wasn't cheap but it was well worth it and the boots will last for many years, so if you average it out over the life of the boots, you'd probably save money over buying a few cheaper pairs of boots. I also bought a pair of Lowa hikers for warm weather. They are also very good boots!

 

[skywag]

In about 1961 Charles Danner made a cast of my feet and made me these boots.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Ive had lowa for years, just got a pair of oboz. Ill take either one of these any day and will try saloman next since one of my buds has some and cant stop talking about them

 

[FNSafari]

Russell

 

[Knotwild]

Russell

I had Russell make a custom pair of boots to use in woods work. They were destroyed in less than one year. Their response was for me to send them back and pay too rebuild them. The uppers were the only part that survived and they were Cordura. I opted to never spend a dime again with Russell again and that has been very satisfying for over 20 years.

 

[gunman870]

Rifle hunt or bowhunt? I would go no insulation for bowhunt. Kenetrek have been best boots I have had. I have a guide and mt extreme. I have Whites mountain pack boots, great when snow is over 10". Premium wool socks,like Buffalo, greatly add to comfort and warmth. Check fit walking down hill, you don't want your foot sliding forward pushing toes into toe box. This is very important when packing(hopefully meat for you).

Rifle hunt, good catch. Since I am driving out, my intention is to pack along my Danners for uninsulated if the weather is that nice, whichever model of insulated boot I end up with for cold but still decent, and my Schnees packs in case it gets wild out there, which I doubt, but I hate to be ill prepared!

 

[gunman870]

I was where you are now a couple of years ago. I would suggest calling Lathrop and sons. I ended up with their mountain hunters with their custom molded footbed. I really like them. They give fantastic support! The process wasn't cheap but it was well worth it and the boots will last for many years, so if you average it out over the life of the boots, you'd probably save money over buying a few cheaper pairs of boots. I also bought a pair of Lowa hikers for warm weather. They are also very good boots!

Never heard of them, I will do some checking! Thanks for your input, as I said, I have no issue paying for quality if it's justifiable.

 

[gunman870]

In about 1961 Charles Danner made a cast of my feet and made me these boots.

That is awesome! Those boots look like they could write a book!

 

[Gary in MD]

Kind of pricey. But the Kenetrek are great. When you wear them out, they will completely rebuild them for a fee. I have the mountain guides and love them

Kenetrek Mountain Guide 400 Boots - Men's , Brown Up to $5.05 Off w/ Free S&H — 21 models

Shop Kenetrek Mountain Guide 400 Boots - Men's | Up to $5.05 Off 5 Star Rating on 1 Review for Kenetrek Mountain Guide 400 Boots - Men's + Free Shipping over $49.

www.opticsplanet.com

I also have a pair of these and have been very satisfied in dry weather or snow.
Gary

 

[MTlager]

I have a pair of Kenetrek mountain extremes. Non insulated. With good socks feet stay warm. They are Very comfortable and well built, but depending on your hunting, I don't consider them a good hunting boot. They have hard soles that are extremely slippery on wet rocks and Very noisey. Open country they are great, but not for stalking in the timber, or especially bow hunting. Close encounters it's tough to beat a good rubber boot. I like a good pac boot with the removable felt liners if trying to get close.

 

[muleman69]

Kenetrek all the way for us here in the west , over the years we have tried Danners ,Custom Russels, custom Lathrops and sons, Lowa, Chrispi, among others . Not to condemn these companies but once you go Kenetrek you may never look at boots again. Wish they were cheaper is all

 

[riverside jeep]

Kenetrek's here, happy with them now but wasn't for the 6 months of constant wear to get them broken in.

 

[Bocephus]

I've covered a lot of miles hunting grouse, big game and surveying in LL Bean guide boots, the old Herman Survivors, Danners, Meindls, Kenetrek and Crispi. Depending on temp, weather and terrain they were all good. But with the dismal state of much of the manufacturing, if the going might get rough, Meindl, Kenetrek and Crispi are the ones I tighten the laces up on these days.

 

[DngBat7]

Kenetrek all the way for us here in the west , over the years we have tried Danners ,Custom Russels, custom Lathrops and sons, Lowa, Chrispi, among others . Not to condemn these companies but once you go Kenetrek you may never look at boots again. Wish they were cheaper is all

Unfortunately from when I got mine 3 months back they were 370. On sale but not by much. Same pair is 529. Now