If any of you have ever read my posts about what I think of Kenetrek boots you know I hold them as the best of the best. Well they just went up a notch! I have the Mountain Extremes. They are a very rugged boot very little break in needed and light for its ruggedness.
Well any way this last fall was my 3rd season in them. I had some problems the toe box area did not seem to have the room they used too. I had blisters on my toes which had never happened before. I went in and tried on a new pair same size and there was a very noticeable diffrence in room.
The only thing I could think of that happened was the season before we hunted in rain every day for 6 days! I have a propane Peet boot dryer to dry my boots so they dont get damageing heat from a wood stove. But 6 days of saturation and then thourghly drying I think I shrunk them.
They needed to be resoled anyway so I called them up and sent them in. I talked to Mark yesterday in customer service. I was honest and told him what I thought happened. Your never gonna believe what he said! Before we resole them he was going to try and stretch them and send them back to me to try. If it worked they would get resoled. If not he said they would replace them!
Now I take care of my boots. You know I am a leather guy so I use the best care. They where used very hard but have many years left in them. But people these boots are going on 4 years old! I could not believe they would just flat out replace them! That says a bunch about what they think of there product and there customers.
If you are in the market for a new leather boot but think over $300.00 for a boot is a little high. Think again! With these boots being resoleable, great customer service and a unbelievable waranty you will save hundreds in the long run! Your feet will also appreciate it!
I have no connection with Kenetrek.I was not paid to say this or use there boots. I have just owned many boots that have failed in every way!
As I say no feet no hunting!
Scott Teaschner
Thanks for posting this!
Outstanding service :thumbsup
This is good to hear. I was thinking about buying a pair.
I am a big fan.
I just bought the 13" pac boot this year and love them. Great quality.
That's good to know, thanks
Scott, do those boots have the thick rubber band around the boot where the sole meets the leather?
Reason I ask is that I had a apair of Meindl Alaskans that over the course of a couple years shrink to the point that they did not fit. Where as my other Meindls still fit fine. I only used a electric peet boot dryer too. Was told by another person that rubber can shrink on leather boots like that.
Just received my Kenetrek Bobcats today. When I put them on they felt a bit snug in the toe area. I'm one of those unfortunate guy's with one foot a half size bigger than the other. Looks like I might have to send them back for the next size larger. I hate to do that because I was so looking forward to using these boots through the winter 3D season. Oh well, better they fit right. I really like the design and fact they can be resoled. I'll be testing their customer service.
German Dog, They do and I do not know if that is the reason or not. I do know that leather is less stable than the rubber. Leather can take water in and when it dries shrinks. If the rubber is shrinking I would like to know why? If I had to put my money down 6 days of saturation to bone dry was the reason. No mater how slow you dry them you still suck all the good stuff out of the leather. If I would of had some conditioner it may have been better. I only had one pair of boots on the trip that rained every day. But if I had a rubber bottom boot it would have been a better choice.
I will ask them about the rubber but I would think unless you put it in an oven like a shrinky dink it should be fine. But then again I only know what I know. So far that has been trial and error. But at least they are going to make things right. I have had a hard time with other companies.
Hatrick you wont be testing them in the least. If it came down to just giving you your money back I think they will. A good friend of mine that I told him to get a par of Mountain Extremes bought a pair with out being able to try them on at a store. He wore them two seasons and felt they where to big. He called me and I told him to talk to Mark. They just gave him a new pair of boots in one size down.
This is only the kind of service you get in a smaller company that is driven by people who hunt and live the outdoors!
Good to hear all of this..I just recieved my mountain extremes monday..
Scott, Yeah be interesting to see what they say about the rubber. Like I said I just know that I had two pair of Meindls and one was the rubber band bottom and the other wasn't. Both treated and dried the same and both same size and then I just noticed the rubber one got way to small to wear.
Either way, good to hear about Kenetrek boots and there quality service. I like the heavy build of these types of boots and will keep them in mind when the time comes for replacement of my current boots.
I love my kennetreks, the best boot I've every had and I'm not gonna buy anything else again.
I have two pairs of their Hardscrabble Lites and they are the most comfortable hiking boots I own out of many brands. My only problem with any of their boots is the hard plastic lace keeper on the tongue of most of their boots that is like a nail in my long feet that have a relatively low instep that makes the laces almost come together at the tongue. The Hardscrabble Lites didn't have that keeper and feel great. I tried to get Jim to quit using the hard plastic, but I'm just one guy. At almost 60 I'm probably set for life anyway with the boots I already own. :saywhat:
Allan
Thanks for the post. Kenetrek is on the top of a short list of boots I'm considering. I'll have to replace my Meindls before elk season this year. With the type of customer service you're describing, I think I've made up my mind.