So schnees suck bad, how bout Kennetrec's level of suckiness

[Kotaman]

For those who have $600 to burn and don't mind looking like they jumped out of a Marvel comic book.....

My gut on these: Will be noisy in brush unless pants worn over them. 200G insulation isn't much when temps plummet. Superb comfort and support. Can be used to signal high-altitude aircraft in an emergency.

I actually tried these, because I LOVE the concept, (hate the color) however, they are SUPER narrow. Sent mine back...

 

[Runningwater]

I've always had great luck with tradition pack boots. I have a pair of Kennetrecs and a pair of Hoffman's. In my opinion little beats them for comfort in truly cold weather. That said, I mean "cold weather" - which generally isn't wet weather. For wet sloppy, whether its snow or rain or swamp sloppy, I use my mucks. The pacs are great for November/December hunt, ice fishing, snow machining, wood cutting, etc. For me they are what I use when I wont be moving much and its 20 or under, or I will be moving around and its 10 or under.

 

[Kevin Dill]

I actually tried these, because I LOVE the concept, (hate the color) however, they are SUPER narrow. Sent mine back...

I definitely agree they are a great concept, and I think some day a boot like this will become an absolute hit with hunters who are in wet, cold settings. I hope it doesn't look like these. I have to say the appearance of these boots is so repugnant to me I just could not wear them no matter how well they fit or functioned. Yes....I'm vain and I don't care. Lol.....

 

[Trial153]

Like the crispi, i can see myself rattle canning them if they fit me. Have the cabelas verison, they ate my heels and pinky toe petty damn bad ....lucky for tape . They started wetting through the upper gaitor part, howver if i wore my sitka gaitors over them there pretty bomb proff. I wasnt totally displeased with them on caribou/moose hunt this past fall . Way better then rubber jobs...If they were more comfortable i would take them Alaska this August. Alas my Zamberlans will most likely go.

These crispi have my attention ...

 

[Lawnboi]

I wonder how warm some of the 10k kenetrek mountain extremes work in the cold.
For me a pac boot is used when it’s cold; well below freezing. It’s leather and rubber I went into it not expecting 100% waterproof. That said my schnees have kept my feet dry for the most part ice fishing in serious slush and continue to get used regularly for winter stuff. I’ve gotten damp a few times where I was in constant 4 inches of water on the ice but it is what it is, I still prefer the pacs for comfort and warmth.
A set of neoprenes might be the ticket, my feet sweat out fast in mucks, I just could never get along with them, but do keep a set around for certain applications.

 

[Missahba]

I’ve never had leaks walking thru water not over the top of my 30 year old Lacrosse rubber/leather pacs. The leather is maintained with silicone. The seam has a factory “gasket” as far as I know. It seals around the thread holes. I’ve never heard of Sorel or Bean boots leaking that fast either.

 

[BluMtn]

I have been wearing Muck Arctic insulated boots for several years when hunting in the snow. For a slipon they pop when you put them on like a cowboy boot and my socks don't work there way down while walking. I don't wear pacs anymore.

 

[tntrker]

I have Schnees. I keep them "wax treated" and do not have an issue walking thru a creek and staying dry...

 

[PNWGATOR]

My Schnee’s pacs don’t leak in water or snow. Not sure why you’re having the issues you are, but I’d send them back again and talk with them about it one more time and get your issue resolved.

 

[ramses342]

I hunt SE Alaska exclusively so I am hunting muskag swamps extensively during the rut and jumping on or off a canoe or a boat a ton. If I am staying down low in the swamps near the beach then I usually stick to rubber Xtratufs. If I am going up higher in the early season or am hunting old growth then I will use my Cripi West Rivers which have BLOWN MY MIND. I can not believe how water proof they are I can jump out of a canoe and stand in water for five minutes, then hike in a swamp for three hours, then get up to a high alpine lake and walk around the edges and my feet are still totally dry. I am not a gear head and have only ever owned very cheap boots but I have been super impressed with them, they are only 240 right now on Sheels too.

 

[squirrel]

Returned the Kennetrec boots for refund If I had smeared them with the aqua seal they would have officially been mine, for good or bad. May take the water and buckshot with me to the store if I ever see the need for another go-round... Save me the 100 miles of driving. For now gonna spring for some Muck cold weather boots and give them a go. @#$% Schnees! I have never experienced customer service like that on any product, a direct violation of their guarantee and of their return policy. Rule of any company should be if you are going to @#$% somebody at least kiss them afterwards. I would guess that those boots leaked at 1/2 gallon/minute or more, I know of 400' deep water wells that don't produce that.

 

[Schnee's]

What to do? Is it unrealistic to expect to get waterproof pack style boots for a measly $400?

Hello there and sorry for the troubles you are having with your Pac Boots and customer service. We go to extraordinary lengths to try and provide the best customer service possible, but sadly nobody bats a thousand. It seems we may have missed our mark here and my apologies. If I can help in some way, please feel free to PM me. As for the pac boots, I hope this helps:

As with all pac boots on the market, ours are not advertised as being 100% waterproof like our mountain boots are. Stitching areas aside, leather by itself is not a waterproof material. But as others have already stated, when treated and cared for it can be highly water resistant. Pac boots are just not designed to stand in water like a membrane constructed mountain boot or a neoprene boot. But if they are well cared for and treated, then short creek crossings or puddles here and there shouldn't be a problem. Pac boots are better suited for cold weather, snow, etc..

We recommend using Pitch blend dressing on our pac boots, putting emphasis on working it into the areas where the rubber meets the leather. This will both condition and "seal" the leather. Helping it repel water and prevent it from soaking through. The only thing we steer clear from is SnoSeal, as we have found that it rots the leather over time which will make them leak.

Hope this helps - Matt

 

[STLHunter]

Hello there and sorry for the troubles you are having with your Pac Boots and customer service. We go to extraordinary lengths to try and provide the best customer service possible, but sadly nobody bats a thousand. It seems we may have missed our mark here and my apologies. If I can help in some way, please feel free to PM me. As for the pac boots, I hope this helps:

As with all pac boots on the market, ours are not advertised as being 100% waterproof like our mountain boots are. Stitching areas aside, leather by itself is not a waterproof material. But as others have already stated, when treated and cared for it can be highly water resistant. Pac boots are just not designed to stand in water like a membrane constructed mountain boot or a neoprene boot. But if they are well cared for and treated, then short creek crossings or puddles here and there shouldn't be a problem. Pac boots are better suited for cold weather, snow, etc..

We recommend using Pitch blend dressing on our pac boots, putting emphasis on working it into the areas where the rubber meets the leather. This will both condition and "seal" the leather. Helping it repel water and prevent it from soaking through. The only thing we steer clear from is SnoSeal, as we have found that it rots the leather over time which will make them leak.

Hope this helps - Matt

Now I'm going to go buy a pair of Schnee's. Good response.