Kennetrek, Schnees, Crispi boots

RockyMtnMT

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Mar 25, 2007
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Montana
Want to hear from you guys that are hard charging, Rocky Mountain hunters that have experience with these boots. Feel free to add to the list.
 
No experience with the schnees. Purchased a pair of the Crispi really liked the construction and fit of the boot except they were just a tad short. Purchased my normal size and really wanted them to work but in the end passed them onto my son. Kennetrek, have used them for several years, seem to run true to size, my feet are a little on the narrow side and I've been using their medium width. Seem to work fairly well, feet stay dry, don't end up with blisters and above all don't loose any toe nails. Are well made and hold up well. Have used everything from the hikers to the mountain extreme. Hikers good to go right out of the box. The stiffer boots do need some break in. Have slowed down the past year with 2 new knees, but before that hiked the mountains of Oregon and Idaho approximately 60 days a year between 5 and 10 miles a day. Only use the boots for hunting and scouting. Don't know if this is type of information you are looking for or not. Have a great day.
 
Have used all of them. IMHO Kenetrek is best for new! Have both uninsulated and 400 gram now. Have a pair Crispi. Both are made in same plant in Italy. For pack boots I have and only wear Schnees. In winter with snow mud wet cold and barnyard acids they holdup better than anything I've worn! I wear boots at the ranch 250+ days per year.
 
Reason I ask the question is I have the kennetrek mountain extreme ni. Best boot I have ever worn. I want to replace them with something else because they leak. They have been replaced 3 times and repaired once. Every second season my feet get wet. I'm not ok with this. I am boot poor trying to find another boot as good. Making a trip to Bozeman next weekend to visit Schnees and Kennetrek.

Want to try the Crispi Briksdal SF GTX but have not found a pair to try on.
 
I've used the Kenetrek Desert Guides and they're terrific. Breathe well and hold up to hard going. Only downside, they're a bit heavy. My other preferred boot that weighs much less is the Salomon 4G...super comfortable and zero break in.
 
All three are very good, Kenetreks fit me best, quite literally add miles to my day. To be honest, on my foot I can slip them on, forget to lace them, not realize it until I leave the trail. I like the schnees as well. Loved Danners until most of their production went to China. You just have to invest miles and money to find what works best for you. Kenetreks take more breaking in then any boot I've ever worn.
I've gotten damp feet with every boot brand I've owned. It has happened with Kenetreks. Sent them in, got a new pair. I have a pair of Zamberlans. Felt good new but they didn't hold up well. Leaked worse than any boot I've ever owned. Been relegated to farm chores, firewood cutting.
 
No experience with the schnees. Purchased a pair of the Crispi really liked the construction and fit of the boot except they were just a tad short. Purchased my normal size and really wanted them to work but in the end passed them onto my son. Kennetrek, have used them for several years, seem to run true to size, my feet are a little on the narrow side and I've been using their medium width. Seem to work fairly well, feet stay dry, don't end up with blisters and above all don't loose any toe nails. Are well made and hold up well. Have used everything from the hikers to the mountain extreme. Hikers good to go right out of the box. The stiffer boots do need some break in. Have slowed down the past year with 2 new knees, but before that hiked the mountains of Oregon and Idaho approximately 60 days a year between 5 and 10 miles a day. Only use the boots for hunting and scouting. Don't know if this is type of information you are looking for or not. Have a great day.
For narrow feet buy Lowas. Great boot
 
For narrow feet buy Lowas. Great boot
I just did pick up a pair of lowas. They feel pretty good and I do like the fit. But haven't had them very long, so didn't feel like l knew enough about the them to give an opinion on them. And when it comes to foot wear that's all it is an opinion, what works for one may not for another.
 
Have had Kenetreks, Schnees and Danners. Trying Lowas Tibet GTX this time. Campsaver is having a huge sale for Father's Day. Just got a pair of Lowa's from them and can't wait to try them. Good Luck
 
Living in North Idaho and working in construction I have gone through lots of boots. I currently have three pair of Whites and three pair of Danners and two Hoffman packs. They cover about every scenario. The Whites hold up incredibly well and I now require shoes and boots with a high arch because of them. The Danners are my main hunting boot. I have the rain forest the grouse, and I think the falcon??? I have tried Danners that are not of the original design and found them to be junk. Went through the usual names on packs and ended up with Hoffman which is very similar to Schnees. They have held up well. As for soles, when working I like the vibram, when in the woods air Bob's.
 
I wore the Kennetreks Mtn Extremes one day and immediately returned them! Felt like I was literally walking on stilts..on steep, rocky slopes it was horrible!

I've had great luck with Lowas over the years....also Scarpas but they are somewhat narrow for my feet. A lot of guys rave about Crispis but they are pretty proud of their boots! I use Lowa Tibets when there is lots of snow. Lowa Caminos and Lowa Vantage for sheep, mtn goat, elk, and deer. They are great mid-weight hikers.

I always buy around 1 size larger so I can gut the insoles that come with them and add super padded insoles. In cold conditions I can loosen up the laces and add thicker socks. Lowas are nice because you have the option of picking narrow to wide.
 
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