I have the Kenetrek mountain extreme's (size 12 wide). Love the quality of the boot, design and many of the features. They provide awesome ankle support, they're fantastic for side-hilling and bomb proof. Very comfortable on most terrain, but I am one of those unfortunate folks who no matter what I do they tear up my heels on steep uphill hikes. I get a major hot spot in the back of my heel. It's doesn't appear to be a "heel slip", because it fits well and I don't feel any slippage. The boot appears to torque my heel into the heel cup too much or maybe the heel cup just isn't deep enough for my heel. Feels like there's a rock in my boot, sitting right on the back of your heel. I'll feel it within the first step up a steep hill. Even just standing there with the feet pointing up hill, not moving. I sent them back to Kenetrek to have them "work on", which I think helped a little, but not enough for my prolonged backpack hunts. I have put the time and miles in to break them in, so I don't think they will improve substantially over time. They're just not the right boot for my foot.
Thus, I'm still searching for the perfect boot. For guys who had Kenetrek's and experienced heel issues similar to mine...what boots did you end up? Finding the perfect boot is getting expensive and while there are no shortcuts, a little guidance from guys with similar experience might reduce the wasted dollars.
For reference, I use the Asolo Fugitive (size 12W) for early season hunts and I can wear them for a week in steep terrain without issues, but I would like to find a leather boot that fits just as well - more robust, better suited for high alpine backpacking, more ankle support and are a little warmer. I used to do mountaineering and never had issues with hard shell boots on steep terrain (Koflach), so there must be a leather boot that fits the shape of my foot. Thoughts or suggestions?
Thus, I'm still searching for the perfect boot. For guys who had Kenetrek's and experienced heel issues similar to mine...what boots did you end up? Finding the perfect boot is getting expensive and while there are no shortcuts, a little guidance from guys with similar experience might reduce the wasted dollars.
For reference, I use the Asolo Fugitive (size 12W) for early season hunts and I can wear them for a week in steep terrain without issues, but I would like to find a leather boot that fits just as well - more robust, better suited for high alpine backpacking, more ankle support and are a little warmer. I used to do mountaineering and never had issues with hard shell boots on steep terrain (Koflach), so there must be a leather boot that fits the shape of my foot. Thoughts or suggestions?
