Schnee's or Kenetrek

[chinagreen]

I am in the market for a good pair of hiking boots. That being said, I have narrowed the field down to the two companies stated, Schnee or Kenetrek. In the forums experience which pair wears better with hard use, is there a break in period, which is more comfortable. I am asking here for personal experiences with one or both manufactures. Thanks in advance. -chinagreen

 

[Jdog]

wore Kenetreks on last years sheep hunt--destroyed my feet with blisters and I have never had blisters on prior sheep hunts. The leather, once wet, stretched big time and I couldn't keep them tight enough.

Back to Lowas and/or Asolos for me and I will never buy another Kenetrek boot.

 

[chinagreen]

Thanks for the input.

 

[Jeff Martin]

not even close. Schnees is a much nicer boot (yes, i have owned both) and the Kene's destroyed my feet. Most people I know have hated the Kenes or loved them - very hit or miss.

I am running the Schnees beartooth having owned Lowas Tibets, Kene, etc.. The beartooth is bar far the most comfortable boot i have ever owned. not even a second thought about that.

 

[stevenm2]

I have kenetrek Pro guide. They were tough to get broken in. Now they are comfortable. I have not soaked them. Break in was really bad on my feet.
I have no experience with schnees but I would not hesitate to try something different to avoid break in again.

 

[robby denning]

Which boot are you looking to try from Schnee's?

 

[Vandal 44]

The Shnee's look like a very sold boot. I am in the market for a new boot this hunting season, I have it narrowed down to Lowa, Kenetrek and the Shnee's.I want to try the Absaroka from Shnee's but I really do not want to spend the money on shipping back if the don't fit

Chinagreen, when you decide on the boot please post a review, good luck

 

[chinagreen]

If I go the way of Schnee's boots it is a toss up between the Beartooth or the Wilderness. From what I am hearing here Schnee's sound like the better of the two options. I will definitely post a review. Thanks for the input. -chinagreen

 

[kenetrek]

I am in the market for a good pair of hiking boots. That being said, I have narrowed the field down to the two companies stated, Schnee or Kenetrek. In the forums experience which pair wears better with hard use, is there a break in period, which is more comfortable. I am asking here for personal experiences with one or both manufactures. Thanks in advance. -chinagreen

Hi chinagreen,
Jim from Kenetrek here. I came across your question and thought I better answer it directly. Mountain boots are in my opinion one of the most important pieces of hunting gear you own. If your feet fail you on a hunt, you are done. All of the boots mentioned in this forum are made in Europe and are made of good quality components and with good craftmanship. It all comes down to how the fit your foot and everyone's foot is different. It is extremely important to try these boots on and to select the boots that fit your foot the best! Just because one person finds one of the brands to be the best, does not mean they will fit you as well. Your boots are just too important to go without trying them both on. I have published several articles on this subject. You can view one of them here if you like. I hope this helps you and any others in selecting a great fitting and performing mountain boots.
s

 

[chinagreen]

Jim, I really appreciate your input. Footwear on the internet is a very scary thing. And you are right, what fits me may not fit the next guy with the same shoe size. This is why I come to these forums and read more than I write. I do find, though, that through others trials and tribulations I can set myself in a pretty positive direction.

 

[2ski]

I have Kentreks. Since I live in Bozeman I need to get down and try some Schnees on. The Kentreks are super comfortable but I eventually get blisters. If shnees will let me put some on layaway I might go for it. The powder horn used to let you put some things on layaway indefinitely that most sporting good stores make you pay off in 6 months. I'd rather pay a hundred a month for the next three months rather than all now.

Like I said. I like the cushion of the Kentreks. My feet don't get fatigued in them at all. But they do eventually get hot spots. I've had them a couple years now.

Jim, a few years ago I golfed league at Bridger Creek with the owner of Kentrek and the owner of Carters and was told that my boots were from before they fixed the heel problem. Could you explain what that was and would it make a difference with my issue if I were to trade in for new boots.

 

[Cascade_Sherpa]

Like Jim and others have stated here every boot is going to fit differently for different feet. I have not owned a pair of Schnee's boots but I have had two pairs of Kenetrek mountain extreme boots. I really wanted to like them due to the high level of craftsmanship on both pairs I've had, but my problem is more due to the really narrow heel's I have. I've tried a couple different sizes and different lacing methods to try to keep my heel in the wide heel box of the boot but it hasn't worked. If I know that I'm going to have a moderate hiking day then I will wear my Kene's, but if I know before hand that it will be a steep, side-hilling, or high mileage day I will leave my Kenetreks back in the wall tent for the day.

 

[boom]

i have the beartooth insulated.

they are bombproof. like strapping boxing gloves on your feet. i did get blistered once, but i was lazy and left laces loose.

i think they are overkill for my hunting. i've fallen back on a lighter boot and have not have any isssue. dealing with Scnhees is pure pleasure. they told me to wear them out and call them if there were any issues.

 

[chinagreen]

All very valuable input. I appreciate everyone's real world knowledge. -chinagreen

 

[krueger]

Spring 2013, I dropped $440 on Kentrek mountain extremes 400 from Sportsmans Warehouse in Colorado and they were hands down the worst boot I've ever owned for multiple reasons. As much as i wanted to love these boots I was continuely dissappointed in them and both companies that i dealt with.

The warranty is not good for such "high quality" boots, within the first 60 days the front rubber toe cap on the right boot started to peel off. I tried to exchange them at sportsmans for another pair but Sportsmans told me that they don't do returns or exchanges after 30 days from the date of purchase (not kenetreks fault). I looked into exchanging them directly with kenetrek and according to their website they charge for repairs and they don't do factory exchanges. I can't stand companies that will take your hard earned money but don't stand behind their products, it not like these were a $40 pair of cheapo walmart boots.

Secondly I wore those boots everyday to work for the first two months to break them before my elk hunt and i still got blisters almost everytime i put them on. I literally wore them for over 100 miles on pavement before hitting the trail. I also wore them for multiple long and short scouting trips (easy day hikes and hiking 14ers). During my 2013 muzzleloader elk hunt in the Holy Cross Wilderness I got horrible (borderline hunt ending) blisters on the top of my feet and heels even after taping my feet from day one and changing socks 2 times daily. By the way, the boots were fitted for me by a Sportsmans warehouse employee.



Hey Jim from Kenetrek, how can you help me out with this? I really want to endorse kenetrek as a good brand but don't have any good experiences with the boots or the company yet. Can you do right by me and exchange my boots for another pair? I'll post pictures of my boots on this thread later tonight when i get home to show the condition of the front toe cap and to show how the rands on both boots are delaminating from the leather upper.

 

[69ChrisCraft]

I also bought and eventually returned a pair of Kenetreks (sportmans warehouse). I have a narrow heel and have had a tough time finding a boot but these were the harshest on my feet. I wanted to like them but they aren't made for a narrow heel.

 

[Bughalli]

No disrespect to Jim, but I had major blisters with Kenetreks as well. Worse than any boot I've ever had. I don't think trying them on in a store would have made a difference. They feel great on level ground. I toughed it out for a full season (training and hunting). They got better, but still give me blisters when hiking steep terrain. They're great in so many other regards (sole, stability, craftsmanship) but the blisters can ruin a trip. I want to like them, especially given the cost, but so far I don't. Now they're expensive bird hunting boots.

 

[OR Archer]

I'd also recommend taking a look at Crispi boots. The Idaho GTX is a great boot.

 

[chinagreen]

Noted, thanks for all the great input. -chinagreen

 

[CM]

I've had and worn out several pairs of Kenetreks (3 pairs of non-insulated Mountain Extremes, 2 pairs of 400 gram Mountain Extremes, and a pair of Mountain Guides), they fit me great. My only complaint is the Kenetrek brand out-sole wears down pretty fast, when I send them in to get re-soled I have them put a vibram sole on, these seem to last a lot longer