Kenetrek issue. Opinions please

Joined
Oct 12, 2014
Messages
1,074
Bought pair lil over 2'weeks ago made 2 hunts in them in fields really tonjustnstart breaking them in. I waxed them 2 days in a row. Saturday went to tie them and a eyelet broke out. Not to happy but I know things happen.

Called cabelas they tried getting me to just buy another pair and get a refund for these In a 3 week wait period. Told them no. So I'm supposed to mail my boots tomorrow to cabelas and then within next 3 weeks they will send me a new pair.

I've emailed kenetrek to see if I can just mail them the boot and have them repair it and send it back to me. I'll even pay shipping but that 3 week wait is horrible and want to try to get around it. I will most likely call kenetrek tomorrow morning bout time their doors open but still.


What yalls thought. Not real happy about cabelas and that 3 week service. Options? And opinions please. lil aggravated my OR crocs show up Tuesday and I won't even have the boots.
 

coop2424

WKR
Joined
Feb 28, 2012
Messages
356
Location
Spirit Lake, ID
Call Kenetrek.. Had the same issue and they actually won't repair they will just send you a new pair.. Their customer service is very good from my experience..
 

Bughalli

WKR
Joined
Nov 16, 2012
Messages
507
Location
Bend, OR
Work with Kenetrek directly. They have very good customer service and usually prioritize getting hunters their boots back in time if they have a hunt coming up. They can help break them in too (if you can describe any issues).

That aside, you should be aware their boots can take a very long time to break in. I'm talking 25 miles minimum and a lot of guys will say it took over 50 miles. Also, make sure the terrain you're doing during the break-in hikes include some of the same conditions as your hunt. This is especially true if the future hunt includes steep inclines. I say this because you stated you wore them in the "fields" twice to break them in. It's pretty rare for that to be good enough. It happens, but not often. If your future hunt is in mountainous terrain then they most likely are not broken in enough. You really want to test for heal rub before using them on your future hunt. Flat or rolling hills is nothing like steep mountains. Trust me, boots that give you blisters will ruin a hunt very quickly. I may not be the norm, but I wore Mim Kenetreks for two months on various hikes, yet when I did prolonged steep uphill hikes they tore my heals up. Eventually they got broken in and better, but that first year I wouldn't take them on a full week hunt. I just didn't feel confident I wouldn't have issues, so I used my old boots. Good luck.
 
Last edited:

jherald

WKR
Joined
Sep 16, 2012
Messages
833
Location
Alaska
Cabela's should have taken care of you since it's an obvious manufacturers defect and you're still inside of the 30 day "non-cabelas" product return policy. I would call the corporate office and ask to speak with the District GM about the issue.

At the same time, get the ball rolling with Kenetrek for a warranty return direct.
 
Joined
Aug 26, 2014
Messages
3,158
Not a Kenetrek thing, but I've had product issues a few times in the past with brand-new items I needed or wanted to use immediately. In almost 100% of the cases I was not able to get replacements until my defective item was returned. Most larger retailers aren't going to do it because they don't want to get scammed; don't want to try to collect money later (if needed); and want to see the item in-hand before determining whether it's covered and issuing a new item. The easiest end-around is to buy the replacement and get refunded on the defective item. As suggested, I would make a phone call and try it once. If no results I would buy new and move on with life. In the end, you'll be in the same place financially.

I'll add: I prefer to do business with firms that really go out of their way to extend superb customer service. Cabela's hasn't met that standard for me in the past 10 years on-line or on-phone. I like them...I just think of them the same way I do Bass Pro or maybe Dick's. Big and impersonal.
 
OP
B
Joined
Oct 12, 2014
Messages
1,074
Work with Kenetrek directly. They have very good customer service and usually prioritize getting hunters their boots back in time if they have a hunt coming up. They can help break them in too (if you can describe any issues).

That aside, you should be aware their boots can take a very long time to break in. I'm talking 25 miles minimum and a lot of guys will say it took over 50 miles. Also, make sure the terrain you're doing during the break-in hikes include some of the same conditions as your hunt. This is especially true if the future hunt includes steep inclines. I say this because you stated you wore them in the "fields" twice to break them in. It's pretty rare for that to be good enough. It happens, but not often. If your future hunt is in mountainous terrain then they most likely are not broken in enough. You really want to test for heal rub before using them on your future hunt. Flat or rolling hills is nothing like steep mountains. Trust me, boots that give you blisters will ruin a hunt very quickly. I may not be the norm, but I wore Mim Kenetreks for two months on various hikes, yet when I did prolonged steep uphill hikes they tore my heals up. Eventually they got broken in and better, but that first year I wouldn't take them on a full week hunt. I just didn't feel confident I wouldn't have issues, so I used my old boots. Good luck.

Yes sir understand completely what your saying about break in. That's what the lady had told me the day i called to order the wax. So I was following that. I've never bought a top end pair of boots so I want to break them in correct.


Thanks guys for all the replies they are on mounting time as they are 2hrs behind me so I'll call about 11 to kenetrek. Hope to circle cabelas and go direct to the people.
 
Joined
Oct 20, 2015
Messages
9
Yes sir understand completely what your saying about break in. That's what the lady had told me the day i called to order the wax. So I was following that. I've never bought a top end pair of boots so I want to break them in correct.


Thanks guys for all the replies they are on mounting time as they are 2hrs behind me so I'll call about 11 to kenetrek. Hope to circle cabelas and go direct to the people.

Hello Blinginpse,

I'm the online Customer Service Relations Manager with Kenetrek, were you able to get this taken care of? Please let me know if I can assist you. This link will also assist you: http://www.kenetrek.com/contactus.asp

William
 
OP
B
Joined
Oct 12, 2014
Messages
1,074
Hello Blinginpse,

I'm the online Customer Service Relations Manager with Kenetrek, were you able to get this taken care of? Please let me know if I can assist you. This link will also assist you: http://www.kenetrek.com/contactus.asp

William

Sir kenetrek has been so awesome to work with. The boot should have arrived today. Unspoken with lady at front desk and emailed with Kyle. Both great people and have been extremely helpful. Thank you for checking and offering to help. Kenetrek has been amazingly helpful and said they would quicker. That beats cabelas hands down. Thank you
 
Joined
Oct 20, 2015
Messages
9
Sir kenetrek has been so awesome to work with. The boot should have arrived today. Unspoken with lady at front desk and emailed with Kyle. Both great people and have been extremely helpful. Thank you for checking and offering to help. Kenetrek has been amazingly helpful and said they would quicker. That beats cabelas hands down. Thank you

Outstanding! Let me know if I can assist you in the future.

KenetrekBill
 
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