Kenetrek Ladies’s Mountain Excessive 400 Boots Assessment

Kenetrek Ladies’s Mountain Excessive 400 Boots Assessment

Editor: Kate Small

Simply the info:

• 8″ tall 2.8mm thick premium full grain leather-based uppers with one piece vamp development with no seams down the tongue for
abrasion resistance and waterproofness
• Bolstered double and triple stitching
• 5mm nylon midsoles for further help with pack hundreds
• Boot {hardware} that swivels as an alternative of breaking
• Bolstered rubber sole guard for further abrasion resistance
• 400 gram Thinsulate™ gives heat with out the majority
• Windtex® waterproof breathable versatile membrane
• Light-weight Ok-Talon™ outsoles present wonderful traction

My story:
I’ve worn a variety of completely different searching and mountain climbing boots over time however had but to attempt Kenetrek boots, although I had heard wonderful issues. This spring bear season I used to be fortunate sufficient to attempt a pair! As a consequence of it being spring in Idaho, which is notoriously unpredictable climate smart, I made a decision to go together with the 400 gram Thinsulate. This fashion I might have (hopefully) the goldilocks of shoes…not too scorching nor too chilly however excellent.
Out of the field, I used to be impressed with the lightness of this heavy-duty mountain climbing boot. The primary few occasions I attempted them on I needed to play with the way in which I tied them to maintain my heel from lifting and rubbing. It took me a few occasions to tie the laces proper for my foot. I discovered for me, tying them tighter on the ankle with my heel pushed all the way in which again was the one approach to get my heel to cease rubbing. As soon as I had that found out, the boots match completely. As with all boots, they have been very stiff at first so I broke them in carrying them round the home and happening quick hikes. It took me about 60 miles of wear and tear for them to really feel actually comfy. I discovered with the one-piece vamp development that over time the boot shaped and match higher and higher. This one-piece development additionally got here into play in the course of the damper components of my season to assist with holding my toes dry.
All through my bear searching season, the climate ran from mid-teens with snow and rain to mid-90s. In the course of the hotter days I used to be frightened that with the 400 grams of Thinsulate my toes would develop into too scorching and sweaty. I shortly found that I had nothing to fret about as my toes remained temperate and dry. The Windtex membrane used on the Kenetrek Mountain Excessive boots is surprisingly breathable. Though, as a disclaimer I need to admit that my toes don’t sweat very a lot so if you’re an individual that tends to sweat, take that into consideration when deciding what number of grams of Thinsulate you need! I used to be equally as happy with these boots in the course of the extra frigid days as my toes by no means as soon as acquired chilly nor did water ever seep in (even once I fell right into a creek whereas making an attempt to cross it).
Whereas the breathability of the Kenetrek Mountain Excessive 400s and their capacity to maintain my toes at a snug temperature is spectacular, my favourite half about these boots is their traction and stability. On a very tough day of searching, I side-hilled by blow down, avalanche chutes and shale rock for a strong 4 miles. With each step I anticipated to both break my ankle or slide to my demise. I’m glad to say neither occurred. In truth, the one time I fell was into the creek on account of my very own clumsiness. The ankle help these boots offered on this tough terrain was excellent. As for the traction, these boots gripped no matter I used to be stepping on as if I used to be on dry, flat floor. Between the slippery rocks and steep, snowy inclines it was by the grace of God and the Kentrek Mountain Excessive 400s that I didn’t tumble down a mountain. Had I not been carrying them I’m nearly sure an damage would have ensued. Not solely have been they extraordinarily sturdy and supportive however all issues thought-about by the point I returned to camp my toes felt comparatively good and the boots have been nonetheless in nice form, even after the beating they took.
All stated and achieved, these boots saved me this spring. I plan on carrying them till I destroy them, which by trying on the craftsmanship of them, might take me awhile.

What they may do higher:

The one subject for me was the break-in interval for these boots was longer than I’m used to. That being stated, as soon as they’re damaged within the Kenetrek Mountain Excessive 400s are recreation changers!