Kenetrek Mountain Guide boots

[Laelkhunter]

I have seen numerous posts on the Kenetrek Mountain Extreme boots, but none about the Kenetrek Mountain Guide Boot. Does anyone have them, or are they too expensive at $500.00? They seem like they would be great, but they apparently are not as popular as the Mountain Extreme. Is there a reason?

 

[Yellowknife]

I used a pair for the last two seasons. Pretty much wore them out and they are now in retirement/backup status. I used them for work, hunting, and hiking for that time.

Pros:

- VERY heavy duty leather. Cut and water resistant to a much much greater degree than the Mountain Extremes.

- Crampon compatible

- Warm

- Aggressive tread that worked well on a variety of steep stuff and wore much better than the K-talon stuff.

- Great for sidehilling in loose stuff with heavy loads.


Cons:

- Heavy. Really heavy. 5.75 lbs for my size 11s.

- WARM. Too warm for any kind of hot weather, although I used them all summer. Near zero breathability. Hot days sucked.

- Miserable break-in. That super thick leather was essentially applied to a boot design that originally had much thinner leather (the Extremes), and getting it to bend at the ankle in a functional manner takes some miles. Purpose built mountaineering boots I've tried broke in at the angle much faster.

- Super stiff shank. Basically this is a mountaineering boot shank, and if you aren't mountaineering and/or using crampons, it's overkill. Sidehills great though.

- Slow drying. Like the other kenetreks I've had, once they get saturated wet they will take at least a week to dry. The good thing is that they were remarkably water resistant for the first year or so. Better than any GTX boot I've used to date.

- Build quality. Like the other previous pairs of Kenetreks I've purchased, the Guides eventually had problems. In this case, I had the soles of both boots start to peel off halfway through last years hunting season. Glued them back on with FreeSole, and they stuck, but I wasn't impressed. The stiffener in the heal cup also feels like it cracked somehow, and I suspect it tore up the waterproof membrane because they have a slow leak at the heal now. Basically they are getting retired with about half the tread left and good leather.

Basically the Guides seem to be shooting to be in the same class as true mountaineering boots such as the Scarpa Monte Blanc and the La Sportiva Nepals. Best for cold weather and nasty terrain. Decent boots in the $400 range IMO, but at the $500 price point they sell for now I think there are better constructed and proven options. I'm breaking in a set of Nepals for replacements right now and didn't even consider another set of Guides at the current rates.

Yk

 

[Laelkhunter]

Thanks Yellowknife. I see you hail from Alaska. We will be taking an Alaska Cruise in Aug of 2015. But back to the subject, I appreciate the time you took to answer, and to explain the pros and cons. The boots would be used only about a week a year on my annual Elk hunt to New Mexico, and probably wouldn't get much use out of them here in New Orleans if they are as warm as you say.
I have been using Danner Pronghorns for the last four years with excellent results, and just purchased two more pair, one insulated-one uninsulated. I purchased the last two pair because they were the older style Pronghorns, which my original pair are. I don't care for the newest style Pronghorns with the "Ronald McDonald" boot look (BIG toe box). I just thought a "super duper high price boot" might be better than the pronghorns, but I guess if it ain't broke (the Pronghorns) don't fix it. Thanks again for the reply.

 

[idig4au]

I concur with YK on his comments, especially on the build quality. The laces rubbed holes in the leather in the tongues on both boots and seams on the flex point on the back of the boot came undone leaving a hole to the boot. The super stiff leather developed a crease on my left boot and pinched the top of my foot when i walked. I just couldn't get them to work well with my feet (all Kenetrek boots for that matter) and put them in the garbage. As YK, these boots are not for your average deer or elk hunt, but rather a purpose built for steep mountain terrain. If you are used to the Pronghorns, you will probably be disappointed in these. The right boot is a very personal topic.

After I tried Zamberlan boots, I haven't even given other boot brands another thought. These just really fit my feet well!

 

[Laelkhunter]

I agree. It seems that different brands fit differently, depending on how they are made. Some people will love a boot for it's perfect fit, then the next guy will curse the same boot because it never fit his wide or narrow heel, or arch problems, etc. Some love the lightweight "sneaker" style boot with heavy socks, others love the pac type boots.
I did find the old style Pronghorns fits me really well, but the new ones don't, due to the large toe box. Thanks for the time to reply. I am going to stick with my Pronghorns, then when these three pair wear out, I will look elsewhere.

 

[idig4au]

YK, how are you liking the La Sportiva Nepals? Are you finding them too stiff for approach?

 

[Yellowknife]

YK, how are you liking the La Sportiva Nepals? Are you finding them too stiff for approach?

I only have 10-12 miles on them so far. I'm heading out Sunday for a 10 day field stint, so I'll have a much better idea of how they work after that.

They are a zero flex shank, but initial impressions are that they have enough rocker and ankle flex that flat ground walking is quite doable. Heel pocket is deep and solid.

Yk

 

[idig4au]

I only have 10-12 miles on them so far. I'm heading out Sunday for a 10 day field stint, so I'll have a much better idea of how they work after that.

They are a zero flex shank, but initial impressions are that they have enough rocker and ankle flex that flat ground walking is quite doable. Heel pocket is deep and solid.

Yk

Good stuff. Please let me know your impressions after your extended trip in them. I'm trying a pair of Zamberlan Pamirs (not the Kuiu version) and I think they are same class as your La Sportivas. Still in early stages of use with them, but concerned how they will work on flatter approach ground for extended miles. Need more time in them for sure. Not sure if they will provide advantage over my Zamberlan Ibex boots.