Kenetrek Men's Mountain Extreme Ni

This is my second pair of Kenetreks (I bought a pair of Hardscrable Lights, but they were a size too small, so my toes were not liking it and I had to go larger) and I opted to go with the high tops this time around. If you don't want to end up spending a lot on hiking boots, don't try these on, because from the get-go, you will be able to tell that they are going to be a comfortable, quick-to-break-in, high-mileage, and foot-and-ankle-defending boot. I had a buddy try on my prior pair and then go with a more budget oriented boot. It took him a while before he stopped defending his choice of not spending the $$ to get the boot that would truly support his ability to do high mileage across rough terrain with a heavy pack while hunting . . . he knew he was settling for second best and had to keep telling me why. Funny how that works. Anyway . . .I could go on and on about the all-day, 10-12 miles per consecutive days, with a hunting pack on my back comfort, the waterproofing, the support, light weight, the traction and more, but maybe consider this instead: I was fortunate enough to fill my archery elk tag a few weeks ago and ended up packing the first load out in the dark. I was side-hilling down the last hill on my thousand-foot descent from the ridge that I had got my elk on the other side of and was within site of the truck, wading through the waist-high shrubs and bushes, tired (it had been an 18-hour day at that point, with the last three hours of it hiking with a heavy pack on my back) and within 50 yards, managed to step into three different holes that I never saw coming. My ankles rolled in each of them and I know from prior experience that a shorter or lesser boot would have left me with at least sprained and maybe a broken ankle. The Mountain Extremes provided the support to have those missteps not be a detrimental event. To my hunting brethren (and sistren) out there who put on big miles to ridiculous places in ridiculous conditions to fill their hunting tags . . . check out this boot.

So far the only thing that isn't 5/5 is the price. Although normally I don't belabor spending money on high quality products, $460 for a pair of boots was hard to stomach. Rather than buying a pair half the price and having them fail on me, I decided to jump in based on numerous other reviews/YouTube videos. If they are as durable as people say then I think they're worth the money given the immediate comfort and attention to detail. They aren't like any other boot I've owned before.Did my first 4 miles on loose dirt/gravel with rolling hills. There is a definite breakin period. Kenetrek says 50 miles but I could tell a major difference after mile 1. Toward mile 4 they were noticeably more compliant. If this continues over the next few hikes they'll be like wearing a custom glove. I didn't develop blisters or hot spots using only the calf height liners by Kenetrek. There was some nerve pressure on the top of one of my feet but I adjusted the laces and it was gone near instantly. Good support on heel and ankle. As for the tred/grip, it was a little tough to tell because of the stiff sole.I'd caution people on sizing. I had kenetrek mail me a sizing chart. That measured me around 12-12.5. While I normally wear 10.5-11 I figured I'd better listen to them regarding size. Nope. Size 12 was way too big. Ordered an 11 medium and they fit quite well. Kenetrek says that you should plan the sizing based on using 2 socks (liner plus thicker oversock). With only the liners I have to pull the laces fairly tight. With 2 layers of socks they fit like a dream. Problem is that 2 layers gets warm in a hurry.I'd also advise you to watch the lacing video they have. With only the liners I could feel some heel slippage on one side and a little pain on the top of the other foot. By doing a 20 second lacing adjustment both of those problems were gone on the next step. Very comfy 4 mile hike at 20 min/mile.Regarding NI vs insulated. The NI are actually quite warm, especially if running 2 socks. My feet get cold easily when idle and I could see these being comfortable down into the low 30s/high 20s easily. It was 85 degrees and full sunshine today and my feet were very comfortable. The merino sock helped pull the moisture off the skin to reduce blistering and kept me cool.Will repost if I find any issues along the way.

1. I am size 11, received size 11 and fit was perfect.2. These boots provide excellent support from the balls of my feet, through the arch, ankle , and up onto the lower calf. In addition, the toe box was very comfortable (I could easily wiggle my toes) even going down steep inclines.3. All materials appear to by top quality, and durable.4. The boots were initially a bit stiff, but with about two weeks of wearing them first around the house, and then on short outdoor walks, they became more flexible, while still maintaining the strong support.After this break-in period I used them on a 2 week hiking trip in the Bears Ear/four corners area of New Mexico, Arizona , Utah, Colorado. We typically did day trips hiking 4 to 9 miles each day. These trips were over moderately difficult terrain (elevation changes, rocks, etc.) and the boots were a substantial help due to their strong support, comfort/good fit, & fairly rigid sole. These are in short, the best boots I've had in the past 77 years (old codger here!). BTW, I have the non-insulated version and temps ranged from low 30's to high 70's. I was very comfortable in any weather.5. The only concern I have in recommending these boots is that their foot support overall is fairly rigid, and best suited for rocky terrain. They would not be my first choice low/flat land such as Midwest grassland or woods. On the other hand, if I could have only one pair of boots, these would be my first choice.6. Overall, these are EXCELLENT boots, and I recommend them without reservation.