I used the mountain extreme non insulated on a December elk hunt in north eastern Nevada last year and in the morning it was -13 degrees with a high of -3 degrees. I used toe warmers and it worked like a charm. You can get away with a non insulated boot if you need to. The toe warmers are amazing
Thanks, Randy, this video was really helpful, I watched this one plus a few other videos involving the 400 Extreme boots, along with all the ones I could find on Crispi boots and decided to go with the Kenetrek Mountain Extremes, and after wearing them for 16 hours I am convinced I made the right choice. They fit my feet perfectly, no pressure points, need I say I really like them. I can't believe they are supposed to fit even better with use. The next pair I get is going to be one of their ST work boots. Also, I might add that I was really surprised at how well these boots fit right out of the box because while I was viewing the Crispi boot comments comparing them to the Mountain Extreme there were a lot of comments conveying that Kenetrek boots tore their ankles up. I guess I am really lucky because my break-in period took all of 5 minutes.
Don't forget the 1000g mountain extremes! Nobody else is doing this and it is very important for late season. The only other option to get a decent amount of insulation is to go to a mountaineering boot which is horrible to hike flat ground in.
I'd like to have a pair of these boots thinking they would be great but what is going on in the world today is every company is jacking up the price of everything. Just seems like every day some item has went up in price. Yes the boot is great but 500.00
I just purchased the crispi summit gtx non-insulated. I am a idaho upland hunter chukar, ECT. I researched days and crispi had better info, I have hunted in cheap $100 keens, muck, or carhartt boots. I am a working man outside. so I decided to try and spend a little more and see if pays off
@KaliDog101 I burned through a pair a year for the last 3 years. I like the way they feel but for $330 for the gtx annually i expect more for the money. I literally wore the vibram tred off, the seams separated, and my feet get wet. So this year I bought some salewa boots.
@KaliDog101 danners aren't adequate for chukar hunting. I go approximately 50 times a season walk approximately 400 miles in rough steep train per season. The more expensive crispi should hold up. I like a light weight un- insulated boot.
My initial reaction was one of sticker shock, however I think that is pretty common with most hunting equipment. I look back at buying my first compound bow for only a couple of hundred. The bow worked fine, but after research and talking to more experience hunters I came to discover why high end bows can be upwards of $2000. Many of the comments refer to the high price tag, which is definitely a concern to most people. I would suggest that each new hunter learn as much as they can about gear and then decide for themselves where to invest in higher quality items. Just remember if your feet aren't happy you aren't going to enjoy the experience.
I spend 100+ days per year using my gear. Many ask what I use. So, we do these videos to explain what we use and why we they work for our hunting style. I wish this quality gear was less expensive. You make good points in comparing to the cost of bows. My boots, and any gear for that matter, are tools I need to be successful over the course of many months hunting back-to-back-to-back, so I invest accordingly. Thanks for watching.
No. One is a liner and one is a sock. Get a proper fitting with the liner during the fitting process and you should be good to go. Thanks for watching.
I see you demonstrating great products in boots, Sitka gear, Mystery Ranch, etc., and I know you are not sponsored and getting free gear from these guys, but I'm just an average guy and $500 for boots, $multiple-hundreds for Sitka gear, $500s for a Mystery Ranch pack, it all seems very very expensive to me, and jumping into wearing and packing nearly $3,500 in gear and clothing (not counting the rifle, and optics gear which can approach another $3,000). Obviously this was not all purchased at one time, so if you were to purchase something each year, what would be the sequence, and what would you use in lieu of while saving for the more expensive gear? I'm 59, and I did not grow up hunting. Medical science has just been able to fix a military injury I received in the 80's, so I want to get into doing what I've been dreaming of over the years of watching your (and other's) show. There has to be a way to break into this sport in an affordable progressive manner. What are some recommendation for someone like me? I have been accumulating gear (not as nice as what you use), some has worked, and others not so much. Thanks - I am learning a lot, and it is quite fun.
Like most, I spent my early years hunting in blue jeans, used optics, second hand rifle, cruddy boots, and a backpack that was my book bag in college. I always tell people to first spend you money on tags, licenses, and gas. Make sure you go hunting before you allocate budgets on new gear. When upgrading gear, it is hard to give a priority, as it depends on what you already have. I could make a case that boots, optics, clothing, or backpack should be highest priority. I could make a case to reprioritize those in many different ways. Point being, allocate your budget to going hunting, only after that should you allocate money toward new gear.
I love my mountain extreme nothing but good words for them but that k talon pattern sucks so bad in the snow you don’t get any traction other then that their amazing
I love their boots! I've had my pair of Mountain Extremes for the last 5 years and it's about time to get a new pair. Only issue that I had was the rubber toe kept separating from the leather. Have you came across this? I sent it back to them but the repair only lasted one trip before seperating again. Just curious more than anything, I'm still only using Kenetreks! If I get 5 years out of every pair, I be happy. Thanks Randy
I haven't had that problem. I have two pair of non-insulated Mountain Extremes and one pair of 400gr. I have nicked a few pieces of the rand off the tips when walking through lava fields and such.
Good video Randy, I won't use any other after having my first pair i bought two years ago. Do you know if there snake Bite proof? this last season i was 6 inches away from finding out.
Good to hear. As for snake bit proof, I suspect a snake would have a hard time penetrating the leather and liner of a Mountain Extreme. But, that does nothing for a strike above the boot.
One of the issues I have is the toe lacing tie points are they dig into the top of my feet causing blisters. Is there one with the hardware not in the toe?
Hey Randy never knew you were MN ??? Where? I'm ex-military so I big Dinner fan, both insulated add USMC non insulated, but have lost parts of feet, need custom, recommendation?
I'm a Meindl man, I may try some Kenetrek, but Meindl makes boots custom to my foot....with a molding kit... Like Meindl, though...I see welt soles and not stitched soles that can be replaced. A trend that makes me sad. I can wear out a sole long before I wear out the boot. I promise.
Any thoughts on or experience with Schnee's boots? They're also from Bozeman. Their grizzly and Beartooth boots seem very similar to the mountain extreme.
Hey Randy, I know you love AZ hunting. Would you recommend the Mountain Extreme for AZ? I can’t necessarily due two different $450 boots, so I’m looking for an all around boot that can do archery in AZ and elk in CO. My feet run hot, probably from all that conditioning in Northern MN as well. Lol! What’s your thought?
Randy Newberg, Hunter, awesome! Thanks Randy. Just picked up my new bow from getting tuned and should be making it out to do some archery OTC here in AZ. Been 30 years since the last time I bow hunted in Ely, MN. Let’s see how it goes!
@@Fresh_Tracks thank you! I now have a pair on my feet while I work to help break them in. Another request, I'm trying to find the video you posted that referenced a website for newbie's to go and study for draw and OTC in various western states. Can you point me in the right direction? I'm just about all geared up and need to start studying and planning my first Western hunt.
Are the boots designed to allow for inserts? I am 53 and my feet have gotten longer and wider. I have to use inserts to obtain the necessary support I need for posture and endurance.
@@Fresh_Tracks I have found the exact same issue myself. I purchased a pair of high-end boots from Orvis for upland bird hunting. I normally wear a size 11 to 12 depending on the manufacturer. First time out with these boots in size 12, my feet were slipping and sliding inside the boots as I was doing a lot of side-hilling. Painful as the day wore on. When I got back home, I pulled the custom orthotics out of my Solomon hiking boots and put them in the bird boots. Went out to work my dog and found they were too tight. When I got home I was complaining to my wife about it and she said, "take the insole out of the boots, dummy". She was right and now they fit perfectly with good instep support. The factory insoles in most boots are just thin flimsy leather. Another comment about the high price of boots. Have you priced a new pickup these days? I recently bought a new GMC Sierra. It was around $50,000. The first truck I purchased when I moved to Montana in 1996 was an extended cab Dodge 1500. Plain Jane. Around $18,000 if I remember. So, that's a 4.5% annual increase in price. The Kenetrek Mountain Extreme is around $450. That means if it were even available in 1996, and priced like a new truck then, the boots would probably cost around $175 then. The difference is that the technological improvement in trucks, due to customer demands and government regulation is hard to measure. It just contributes to the cost. The improvements in boot construction is easy to see from your video. Yes, you might have been able to buy a pair of boots in 1996 for $50 or less. But I can guarantee you that your feet would hurt like hell if you were doing any day-long elk hunting in the mountains. The good thing about a truck and a good pair of boots is that we don't have to buy new ones each year.
What boot would you recommend for me I hunt deer in Florida and it's hot here and wet and I walk Alot up to 10-12 miles daily. I have high arches also my feet hurt pretty bad after a few hrs in my current boot.
Never heard of kenetrek boots here in Europe. I get I that you dirty patriots want a product thats made in the us I use hanwag trekking shoes. They are made in Germany and also have wide and narrow sizes. 500 us dollars for a pair of boots is way to expensive if you ask me. Really love your videos randy Thank you very much!
USA doesn’t make water proof hiking/hunting boots. Europe has that on lock. These are made in Italy and their very well made I own the extremes. USA makes the best work boots in the world up in the PNW. I own a few pairs of whites and JK’s and their built like a tank. But if you want a waterproof hiking boot gotta get ‘em made in Italy. I support kenetrek because it is an American owned company but not made in china.
@@Lexidezi225 Crispi are made in Italy and Crispi Thor leak on creek crossing hunting Dall Sheep up here in Alaska. That is because the designed the boot with only a half-bootie gortex.
Seems like a great boot but no way in hell is any boot worth 500.00. I have never spent more than 200.00 on any boot and have great results. Quit putting out products that only the people who can buy them price is never the issue. Also, don't take a guy like Randy which I'm sure you provide him boots to promote your product.
People want to know what we use, so we do videos to show them what products work for us. If you spend 100+ days per year and over a 1,000 miles carrying heavy loads each season, you would get the best boots you can possibly find. If others have different needs/uses and that results in different budget priorities, I understand that and folks should buy what works for them.
Hunt Alaska or Montana and then come tell us how you don’t need a $450 pair of boots. Been through a lot in 35 years of hunting and come back to these.
