I believe I've read every boot related thread on this site and others and both my hunting partner's personal opinions. One has the Kenetrek's, the other has the Danner's.
Herein lies the rub with me and my unbiased opinion and what I wound up finally doing....
The rub is, I don't want to buy any piece of clothing, especially purpose built footwear over the Internet, no exceptions. It has to be a personal, try it on, fitment. I know you can return them if they don't fit (as most of the Internet sales outlets state) but thats very inconvenient and time intensive.....
I need to 'smell the roses' prior to credit card presentment.....
Kenetrek has no dealers anywhere around here. My hunting partner just happened to buy his in Boise, Idaho at a Kenetrek dealer. He actually stopped by their business address (Kenetrek) to find out they didn't offer any sales at that location, I don't have that option.
My other issue is country of origin. Of course I prefer American made in purpose built boots, with European manufacture coming in second and dead last is the Pacific Rim sweatshop stuff/Vietnamn. I also prefer a boot that is rebuildable, has good foot beds supplied with and preferably, a short break in regimen.
I looked at everything available at Bass Pro, Gander Mountain, Dicks and Cabelas, all accessible to me store wise. I wandered all the stores and more than once, I was probably ID'd as a potential shop lifter because I was seriously handling the merchandise.....
I found it interesting that all the retailers stock limited stock in high end boots, with most being of questionable manufacture, even in the brand names. Danner and Meindl as well as Wolverine and Red Head all have their Chinese/Viernamnese factories turning and churning out hunting boots for the masses...but not for me. Like a Chinese optic, I don't want one, or a pair.... I want the real McCoy... and you have to look carefully and check the pricing. As a rule, the chi-com knockoffs branded in the major player's brands are a bit cheaper, in other words, you get what you pay for.....
I finally settled on Meindl at Cabelas, German made Meindl They also had domestic Danner's but the Danner's required an extensive breaking in and I'm a wimp with a set of tender feet.....
The Meindl (perfekt 10's) need little breaking in, fit like a glove and most importantly, I tried them on prior to the purchase. Actually states on the box, 'Made in germany'...how refreshing. Sort of the Schmidt and Bender of the boot world........
In Cabelas defense, I walked in (today) an immediately told the salesperson I was going to be a PITA and what I wanted and what for and all my predetermined prerequisites and to his credit, he understood perfectly and provided me with an excellent fitment in they type of boot I wanted. Make no mistake, price wasn't part of the equation.
I'd love to have a pair of Kennetreks (and probably will at some point, so long as I can fit them on, on a personal basis, somewhere) or Danner Hawks (which my other hunting partner has in addition to the Kennetreks) or Danner Alaska's but they aren't physically available to me, ar least not to fit on an actual basis.
Besides, the Meindl boots are pretty **** comfortable.
Finally, the Kenetreks aren't made in this country either (like the Ebrelestock packs BTW). Kenetrecks are made in Italy. Not that Italian's don't make good things, well, most are good. The Fiat 500 is an exception..... The backpacks are made in, well, take a guess.....
