Kenetrek boot delamination

[bkondeff]

Glad to hear they stood behind their product. The older I get the more I value this kind of product support and why I never will change from my Swaro's. I have invested in both Mountain Extreme 400's, 3 years ago, and Hardscrabble Hikers this year for a goat hunt, and can't be happy enough. Took about 25-40 mi to get them to fit like a glove. Can't be happier.

I will remind anyone reading this post that with a little research online you will see that many of these reports, unlike the OP here, are related to using non-kenetrek sealers, which have some compound in them that does interract with the glue kenetrek uses and will de-laminate these boots and those will not be covered!

 

[SidecarFlip]

I surmised they would either repair them or exchange them. Quality products are always warranted by reputable manufacturers whether the warranty is spelled out ot not.

Case in point, I'm having a Savage 11 Lightweight 7.62x54 rebarreled and restocked and when I pulled the action from the stock, the trigger guard was cracked along the back edge under the mounting screw. Never noticed it. Called Savage, gave them the serial number and no issue. They are sending me a new trigger guard, no charge.

Their comment was "It's under warranty forever"......Good to know in as much as I mostly own Savages.

I wasn't looking for a free replacement, I would have paid for it. They said no.

 

[dig]

Very common in the heat. Living in AZ I have had boots, dress shoes, athletic shoes you name it come apart. It's the **** glue. Although not best for all hunting situations, ie a mountain hunt, I try to stick with stitch downs as I have had more then one sole come apart during the hunt over the years, mostly bird hunts so not so far out fortunately.

 

[RobStar]

I'm finally back home and the boots were here waiting on me. They look great.

When I spoke to the guy at Kenetrek he explained that at the factory the glue is applied to the two pieces, cured for 24 hours and then pressed together under pressure. He explained sometimes that 24 hour period is shortened or extended and that affects the curing.

He went on to say that after this repair I should never have this problem again.

On the other hand, I noticed in the new catalog they sell glue to fix such issues so it must not be such an isolated incident.

Love these boots and hope they last from this point forward!

Robert

 

[Pdvdh]

I've had two sets of Meindls de-laminate at the sole. My neighbor had a set de-laminate. Sometimes the sole material degraded. Sometimes the glue lets loose. I've read of the same problems with Kenetrek and Lowa boots also.

I've got a set of Lowa sheep hunters I've used for 4 yrs. So far so good. But I'm beyond being surprised when this happens to any boot, no matter the cost.

Some of the Meindls lasted quite a few years, but the boots were still in very good shape, except the soles fall off. Two seasons ago, while packing out a caribou, I heard my son say oh oh. Turned around and the sole on one of the Meindl boots was flipped forward, only attached at the toe. Looked like Ronald McDonald boots. To the trash bin. Contacted Cabelas and they said the boots were too old to be replaced under warranty.

My son now owns Kenetrek, but I told him there are no guarantees...

 

[marioq]

same thing just happened to mine!!! I am ****ed!! Had a pair sold that are 10.5 med and I need wide. ANyway now I have to get these fixed and I hope they can make them wide!!!!!

 

[RobStar]

Just to be clear and fair to the vendor they really treated me right. They claim the fix is permanent so they must know it's an issue. They were very non-committal to start but stood right up once they got them.

Robert

 

[marioq]

I'm hoping for the same thing. Just want to know when you pay 455 for a boot, you get the results and quality.

 

[RobStar]

Yea man, I was really aggravated about it too; mainly because I love these boots and they are so **** comfortable. Plus they were already broken-in, ready for the new season and I had a hunt coming up mid-August. Add pricey on top of that and I understand exactly how you feel right now.

I don't think many if any companies are 100% immune from problems in materials or manufacturing, it's how they handle it. I produced and sell a six DVD set of kayak instructional DVDs. About six years ago we started getting a slow trickle of calls about bad disks that stopped playing at the 57 min mark and we realized we had a batch of 1000 disks where some unknown number were defective. At that point they were already distributed and sold worldwide on Amazon, eBay, our site, retailers and wholesalers. We tracked down and replaced as many as we could but there are still some on shelves and they rarely but occasionally still pop up. They're like little time bombs out there ticking away. After the first few returns we quit asking customers to return them and simply send them a replacement and an apology. Crap happens!

Kenetrek gets it, knows you have a season planned around your boots and they want to make sure you are happy. Once they get your boots they'll get you on the move again!

I see you're in Vegas too? I'm out by Red Rock casino and the DSRPC range.

Good luck!

Robert

 

[marioq]

Well. Here's hoping!!!!!

I live in Henderson. 215 and green valley.

 

[Pdvdh]

same thing just happened to mine!!!

Bad timing is when the sole falls off after you've hiked in, shot an animal, and still need to backpack out. Good timing is when they fall off when you've just about completed your return hike. Best timing is when they fall off at the house before heading out, and you needed a different sized boot anyhow!

Check'em before heading out, because sometimes they'll de-laminate just sitting in the closet.

 

[GeorgiaBoy]

I'm glad to hear their customer service is good I've been looking for some new boots and I'm considering these. Right now I've got a pair of Bates insulated combat style boots that are amazingly comfortable and got broken in in a matter of days but unfortunately after two years of wearing them for work and hunting I'm starting to see the need for a strictly hunting pair of boots as the oils and stuff in a mechanic shop are really hard on shoes and they're starting to delaminate

 

[RobStar]

Kenetrek says do a 50 mile break in but mine were like a glove out of the box.

 

[marioq]

Okay everyone can cancel all rumors tgey have heard bad about Kenetrek!!!!

They are awesome!!!!! Sent my boots back and 2 days later got a call from Joe. He told me that my boots would be repaired and sent back. I explained my fitting problem. He told me exactly how to measure my foot and is sending me a brand new pair for the cost to resole my old pair. 30 bucks!!!!!

That is awesome!!!! Again do happy with the service and their support of their product!!!!!! Buy their boots with confidence.