I’ve got a pair of mountain extremes and a pair of safari boots from kenetrek, and I absolutely love both of them. And the warranty is great! For most of my hunting even turkey hunting where I have longer hikes the mountain extremes are awesome, still for the first few miles but once broke in you don’t notice the stiffness so much when walking. And the safaris are great and I actually wear them a lot more than the mountain extremes. I wear the safaris on leisure hikes, scouting, around town, to work, etc and they’re great and offer a little more flex than the mountain extremes due to the thinner shank used in them. Also I had to send my first pair of safaris back for warranty as the liner fell out of them, deemed a factory flaw I was sent a new pair no questions asked, and was informed about that via phone call and got tracking via email for the new pair.
These cemented boots from Italy are well built and becoming more and more popular, even in my trade as a logger. But what is often overlooked is whether they can rebuilt, and at $4-500 it’s the first thing I would look at. I believe they can be resoled at least, but from what I’ve heard they’re are fewer cobblers who can actually do that kind of work vs a stitched on sole.
I have three pairs of two mountain, extreme uninsulated, and the thousand grain. I also have the Wildland Firefighter boot for warmer weather Absolutely love this brand I’ve had my uninsulated version the longest going on 3 to 4 years and they look brand new when I will clean them up and wax them yet today
You nailed it on the “comfortable right out of the box” ! I just purchased my first pair from Cabela’s. It almost felt like my foot was “broken-in” into the insole, from the first movement I tried them on. I’ve Used them for a week now. Loving them so far 😎
Have a pair of NI mountain extreme for 4 years. Some observations: spot on about feeling a little weird if you’re not used to it...super stiff out of the gate, one hunt and I understood, side hilling and rocks are no issue any longer. Wax regularly and they will last. Sole is very durable...wondering when it will finally need a resole. Disagree with the no break in. They do need quite a break in IMO. For the first 50 to 75 miles I was wondering if I made a very expensive mistake...then magically, everything settled in and perfection. Not a lot of soft cushion but that was fixed with aftermarket insert...plenty of height in the boot for it. Type of socks matter. Don’t blame the boot, find right socks. My only complaint is the “lock in” loops are pretty far back and can be hard to get the laces into when it’s cold early mornings...but you want them far back so trade off. Can’t say enough...my boot journey was long and fraught with disappointment until I took a chance on my kennetreks. Good review.
I have to disagree with the break in assessment. They recommend 40 mile break in. For me that was about right. They fit great out of the box but they were not very comfortable until several miles. Somewhere around 30-40 miles they were awesome! 4 years of elk, deer and antelope hunting in them and they are still in great shape and super comfortable. Great boot but they need break in time.
Just ordered a pair the other day. Don't knock danner boots tho man. I had 2 pairs of danners when I was in the marine corps and I have 2 pairs that I've had for a couple years and I wear them every day at work. I'm a lineman, so I'm in the elements day and night every day of the week and danners are outstanding boots for the price point, however I tried the kenetreks on at the store the other day and lemme tell ya what right outta the box, they were fantastic.
I have no experience with Crispi, but after watching a good friend of mine wear Kenetrek mountain extremes for years every day to work I decided to buy a pair. And I love them too, but I only use mine for hunting, and then I went and bought a pair of the Kenetrek safari boots for hiking and more daily wear. And they’re great boots. And I can say the warranty is solid as well. My first pair of safari boots had the liners come separated in them very early on after a few weeks of having them... sent them back for warranty and they found that they had a manufacturing flaw, and I was promptly sent a replacement pair with no hassle. And they’ve been solid.
I had to decide between the Kenetrek and the Crispi, they are both great boots. After trying on both and walking around I choose the Crispi Nevada GTX.
I tried both the Kenetrek Mountain Extreme NI and Crispi Guide GTX NI. I went with the Kenetrek and haven’t had a bit of regret. It came down to fit for me. I have narrowish heels and the Kenetrek held a little better there. The Crispis were also of super high quality, but I think the Kenetrek hardware is superior with the hinged eyelets and beefier hooks. I agree that they need some break in, but it was more about ‘finishing’ the fit for me than going from uncomfortable to comfortable. They were really comfortable right out of the box. Easily the best boots I’ve owned. When you’re 10mi from the truck on a 40 degree slope, under pack, picking through blowdown and those stupid baseball rocks, you really appreciate the peace of mind that comes having a great boot like this.
It all depends on your foot, but i uave the Mtn Extremes 400 and the Crispi Guidr uninsulated. That being said the quality is noticeably better on the Kenetreks despite them both being at the same price point. Crispis also have very little arch support if you need that
Kenetrek says 50 miles to break in; that is not right out of the box...anyway; I ordered one of the mountain extremes insulated for riding my motorcycles in this very cold rainy weather.
I just bought a Kennetrek mountain extreme 400 insulated, it is the best boots I have ever worn, love it.
I’ve got a pair of mountain extremes and a pair of safari boots from kenetrek, and I absolutely love both of them. And the warranty is great!
For most of my hunting even turkey hunting where I have longer hikes the mountain extremes are awesome, still for the first few miles but once broke in you don’t notice the stiffness so much when walking. And the safaris are great and I actually wear them a lot more than the mountain extremes. I wear the safaris on leisure hikes, scouting, around town, to work, etc and they’re great and offer a little more flex than the mountain extremes due to the thinner shank used in them. Also I had to send my first pair of safaris back for warranty as the liner fell out of them, deemed a factory flaw I was sent a new pair no questions asked, and was informed about that via phone call and got tracking via email for the new pair.
These cemented boots from Italy are well built and becoming more and more popular, even in my trade as a logger. But what is often overlooked is whether they can rebuilt, and at $4-500 it’s the first thing I would look at. I believe they can be resoled at least, but from what I’ve heard they’re are fewer cobblers who can actually do that kind of work vs a stitched on sole.
I have three pairs of two mountain, extreme uninsulated, and the thousand grain.
I also have the Wildland Firefighter boot for warmer weather
Absolutely love this brand
I’ve had my uninsulated version the longest going on 3 to 4 years and they look brand new when I will clean them up and wax them yet today
You nailed it on the “comfortable right out of the box” ! I just purchased my first pair from Cabela’s.
It almost felt like my foot was “broken-in” into the insole, from the first movement I tried them on. I’ve Used them for a week now. Loving them so far 😎
Have a pair of NI mountain extreme for 4 years. Some observations: spot on about feeling a little weird if you’re not used to it...super stiff out of the gate, one hunt and I understood, side hilling and rocks are no issue any longer. Wax regularly and they will last. Sole is very durable...wondering when it will finally need a resole. Disagree with the no break in. They do need quite a break in IMO. For the first 50 to 75 miles I was wondering if I made a very expensive mistake...then magically, everything settled in and perfection. Not a lot of soft cushion but that was fixed with aftermarket insert...plenty of height in the boot for it. Type of socks matter. Don’t blame the boot, find right socks. My only complaint is the “lock in” loops are pretty far back and can be hard to get the laces into when it’s cold early mornings...but you want them far back so trade off. Can’t say enough...my boot journey was long and fraught with disappointment until I took a chance on my kennetreks. Good review.
Thanks for watching and insight from your experience!
I live and hunt in Montana Just bought a pair of Mountain Extreme 400. Can't wait to try them out. Thanks for the review. 🙌
Great Review! Love mine. Best boots I have ever owned!
I have to disagree with the break in assessment. They recommend 40 mile break in. For me that was about right. They fit great out of the box but they were not very comfortable until several miles. Somewhere around 30-40 miles they were awesome! 4 years of elk, deer and antelope hunting in them and they are still in great shape and super comfortable. Great boot but they need break in time.
They definitely need some break in time. Treating them with the Kenetrek wax also helped this IMO. Thanks for watching!
Montana brand 😎 excellent boots, keep them treated 👍
Just ordered a pair the other day. Don't knock danner boots tho man. I had 2 pairs of danners when I was in the marine corps and I have 2 pairs that I've had for a couple years and I wear them every day at work. I'm a lineman, so I'm in the elements day and night every day of the week and danners are outstanding boots for the price point, however I tried the kenetreks on at the store the other day and lemme tell ya what right outta the box, they were fantastic.
Nice job Mike!
Debating between these and a pair of Crispis.
Crispis are nice boots but we sure are fond of the kenetrek’s!
I have no experience with Crispi, but after watching a good friend of mine wear Kenetrek mountain extremes for years every day to work I decided to buy a pair. And I love them too, but I only use mine for hunting, and then I went and bought a pair of the Kenetrek safari boots for hiking and more daily wear. And they’re great boots. And I can say the warranty is solid as well. My first pair of safari boots had the liners come separated in them very early on after a few weeks of having them... sent them back for warranty and they found that they had a manufacturing flaw, and I was promptly sent a replacement pair with no hassle. And they’ve been solid.
I had to decide between the Kenetrek and the Crispi, they are both great boots. After trying on both and walking around I choose the Crispi Nevada GTX.
I tried both the Kenetrek Mountain Extreme NI and Crispi Guide GTX NI. I went with the Kenetrek and haven’t had a bit of regret. It came down to fit for me. I have narrowish heels and the Kenetrek held a little better there. The Crispis were also of super high quality, but I think the Kenetrek hardware is superior with the hinged eyelets and beefier hooks. I agree that they need some break in, but it was more about ‘finishing’ the fit for me than going from uncomfortable to comfortable. They were really comfortable right out of the box. Easily the best boots I’ve owned. When you’re 10mi from the truck on a 40 degree slope, under pack, picking through blowdown and those stupid baseball rocks, you really appreciate the peace of mind that comes having a great boot like this.
How do these work for stalking?? I’m sold on packing in nice stiff boot but what about stalks
Been torn between the mountain extreme 400 and the crispi wild rock gtx and I still can’t decide
It all depends on your foot, but i uave the Mtn Extremes 400 and the Crispi Guidr uninsulated. That being said the quality is noticeably better on the Kenetreks despite them both being at the same price point. Crispis also have very little arch support if you need that
IDK. I worry 10.5 in all my shoes, and even 11.5 in these is tight. My foot keeps going to sleep. I hope they loosen up after breaking it
I gotta get me a pair
You know it! Hardscrabble is the one you want to look at!
would be nice if he held up the boots so we could see them
Kenetrek says 50 miles to break in; that is not right out of the box...anyway; I ordered one of the mountain extremes insulated for riding my motorcycles in this very cold rainy weather.
Nice review. About how much heel rise do these boots have? I have a fused right ankle and can't tolerate too much heel rise.
That’s a good question, I’d have to measure one to be 100% sure
Probably about an inch.
How do you like the sizing
They are true to size and built off a Brannock scale for consistency.