trying to decide on a pair of boots. My meindl's finally started leaking after 8 yrs of use and it is time to look for a different boot. I was looking at the kenetreks and like them BUT i cannot try them on. Kenetrek will be good about exchanging but they are REALLY expensive and wanted to see what you guys thought.
thanks
mike
I you liked your Meindl and they gave you so many years of good service why to change brand? They are improved in the main time too!
Why not stick with Meindls? Good boots, Kenetrek are good also but more expensive and I like the Meindls just fine. $350 plus for the Kenetrek and about $250 for the Meindls, no brainer for me.
my meindls just gave up on me after 10 years of rough service. just ordered a pair of meindl taiga GTX from the UK. i too thought about kenetrek but decided to stick with what i know.
8-10 years for $300-400. that's cheap.
Gotta em. Love em! Mine are the rubber bottom Bean style.
Keep in mind that different brands could be sized slightly different and that your feet might have changed in 8 years....
Give Hoffmans a look, made in Idaho.
http://www.hoffmanboots.com/category.aspx?categoryID=20
Eric
Never tried the Meindls, but I absolutely love my Kenetreks. I can't imagine going hunting without them.
FD
I have a pair of Kenetrek Mountain Extreme 400s and love them...Should last for years...
Actually I found a deal to get the kenetrek hardscramble for 100 bucks off so the price would be the same.
The Meindls were great boots, but since I had surgery on my foot the irritate my foot where the surgery was. Not sure why but thought I would try a diff boot. Probably could just change inserts??
Anybody try the rubber bottom boots from kenetrek the 10" rancher I think there called. Price is 180 and said to be warm down to 0 degrees.
Anybody try the rubber bottom boots from kenetrek the 10" rancher I think there called. Price is 180 and said to be warm down to 0 degrees.
I have had several pairs of Meindels, they were great boots till my last two pair, seemed like the quality changed. My first pair of Kenetrek is about done after 4 years of service and I will be buying another set.
I think any of the high end boots would be good choices. but I agree, if you were happy before why not stick with that company?
I hunted Elk in New Mexico this year with Bob who is one of the owners of Kenetrek.All the guides in camp that had Kenetrek loved them. I am a Meindel Guy but told Bob I would try a pair. He seemed like a great guy that would stand behind his boots and take care of any issues. I have not ordered mine yet.
Randy Chamberlin
Currently I have Kenetrek's 400 Mtn Extreme. I also have owned two pair of Meindel in the past.
My kenetrek are excellent, well built boots. However, my next boots will be Meindels.
My foot is very narrow at the heel, but wide in the toe box, and the Meindel fits my foot better.
chris <><
I'll throw these into the mix, Hanwags, PM me and I'll tell you how to get them for 50-60% off, I used them for elk hunting this year in ID and they performed great in all areas.
Good luck.
P.S. I was in one of the local Kenetrek dealer stores, and he complemented me on wearing a good looking pair of Kenetreks, I had to give him the bad news.
hmmm...those Hoffman boots look pretty good...
Have the Kennetrek Mountain Extreme 400's. Absolutely love them.
which boot has the widest toe box in a standard D width? (any of these companies)
I keep getting mixed data. quite a few searches say the italian (kenetrek) are wider that the german (meindl) styles. I was told for a tight heel and wider toe box go kenetrek. the above sounds different. I just wish some place near we had these boots to try on.
From my experience both the meindl and kenetreks are close to equal in the toe box, maybe the kenetrek's slightly larger. The difference for me is in the heel. the meindl's are narrower, which fits my foot better.
chris <><
As mentioned, different brands have different cuts which may or may not fit your foot. Get the brand that best fits your foot. This can only be determined by trying them on. I drove 3.5 hrs one way to try on my Lowa boots. I work in the field year round and need good footwear. Been using them ever since. They fit my foot. A top quality boot isn't worth a pound of salt if it doesn't fit your particular foot characteristics.
Happy boot hunting!
ordered the kenetreks and i hope Onions is right - if that description is correct then i am set! I will know soon enough.
thanks for the help!
Mike
hope they work for you pamike!
keep us posted as to how they work!
chris <><
I did not read everybody's responses but I wanted to chime in I have had a pair of Kenetrek boots that I wear on a daily basis doing yard work household chores hiking scouting you name it I use em and they are the best boots I have ever had bar none. They are so easy to break in and so comfortable right off the bat as far as I'm concerned be the best boot out there.
and I might add don't look a day old they hold up so well to all the beatings I have done these boots it has impressed me more than any other. I am waiting to scrounge up enough money to buy another pair that I will strictly use for hunting. they are pricey but worth every penny I would put my boots up against any others that are out there.
Kenetrek all day baby !!!!!!!
I picked up a pair of Kenetrek Bobcats for blind sitting and deer hunting here in IL. They are the warmest easiest boots to get on and off. I found another pair on fleabay as they actually have a website for seconds and discontinued items from the company.
I will buy a pair to hunt out west in soon. They are awesome boots!
I have a pair of Kenetrek Mountain Extremes and they are by far the most comfortable boot that I have ever owned.
Getting more excited all the time - very positive comments
Kenetrek Mountain Extremes,,,all the way...good fit..while greased properly, virtually waterproof...use them tracking in the Adirondack snow...been a very good boot, and very lightweight after tracking bucks for miles and long days...worth every penny.
Kenetrek safari, its hot out here in cali. Best boots I've owned
I have the Hoffman rubber bottom boots and I love them.
As far as mountain type boots, I am a Crispi fan. I have issues with the toe box on most boots due to an issue with arthritis in my big toes. Kenetrek and Lowa were both OK, but the Crispi's are great. I have the Crispi Idaho uninsulated mountain boots and Summit GTX hikers and they fit the same. I think I will pick up some Nevadas or Hunters in the future for colder western hunts.
D.P.