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Crispi or Kenetrek? Good and bad, mountain extreme equivalent.





Take care, Willie

No idea about the Crispi, but I've had the K-trek MT extremes for almost a year and really like them for the snow and cold days.

My feet seem to stay about as warm in the K-trek extremes as my Schnee pac boots and are a helluva lot easier to hike rough ground in. They didn't take as long to break in as my other K-treks I've had. I go with uninsulated boots once the snow leaves so don't wear them in mild temps.

I'd try both and see what your feet like.

"Try both" is good advise.

I remember someone on here ordered 4-5 [maybe more?] different boots, picked their favorite then sent the others back.
A great fitting, high-end, long lasting boot is worth the effort.

I own both; Kenetrek "Hardscrabble" and Crispi "Colorado GTX". Both are real good boots. I think that the Crispi might be slightly lighter weight, so they have become my "go to" boots.

The Crispi has Vibram soles and the Kenetrek has what looks like a knockoff of the Vibram sole. So they are both good when rock hopping.

There is some synthetic material and lots of seams on the Crispis. I think that's why it weighs less. The Kenetrek has an all leather body and very few seams. So I think they may last longer. Trade-offs.

Both have a full rubber rand. The Crispi has a Gortex liner and the Kenetrek has a "Windtek" liner, which I guess is a knockoff of Gortex. The water resistance is real good in both. But both breathe pretty well, specially when you consider how water resistant they are. I have never had any sweating or blisters with either pair.

Both have good ankle support.

I've used both with gaiters, walking in snow and standing around in snow. And both are warm enough when wearing Smartwool socks that my toes don't get cold.

You can't go wrong buying either one, but both are expensive. I think they are worth the money if you are going to do a lot of off-trail hiking/climbing. If you are going to do most of your hiking on trails, etc., then you don't need to spend this much money for boots.

Thanks very much guys.







Take care, Willie

Crispi boots fit me perfectly. I don't have an overly wide foot, but need a generous toe box. Toe box being too tight is the one thing that usually has me sending boots back. The Crispi provide precise heel and mid-foot fit, but still have a generous toe box. Wide sizes often fit the toe box criteria, but are sloppy elsewhere.

Fit is king. Almost all the higher end boots will work, find the ones that fit the best!

Someone told me to add more aggravation to the mix, and take a look at Zamberlan. Really about impossible to get a hands on look at them though. Thanks again!




Take care, Willie

Crispi for me. I currently have the Guide, Wild Rock, and Summit. I've owned the Wyoming in the past. Solid boots. Like mtwarden, I have rather average feet and the Crispi last holds my heel and midfoot well while giving me some wiggle room in the forefoot area. I do replace the Crispi "liner" with a real aftermarket insole (Superfeet Guide)

I think one aspect of high end boots alot of guys miss is getting the precise fit of the sock-insole-boot. I have a stack of insoles and socks and mix/match till I get the fit I want. My wife loves the drawer full of $25/pair merino wool socks and 6" high pile of insoles at $40-50 each. <G>

I will say, at times after long mileage days, I can get a hot spot on my heel in all the Crispi's. It always involves alot of up/down in steep terrain. This issue isn't unique to Crispi's for me either. I solved that issue by taping my heel with Leukatape. No hot spots since employing that little trick.

I have confidence in both brands. FWIW I work outside and many of my coworkers use crispis and kenetreks… User satisfaction tends to be a little lower with the Crispis. They just don’t last quite as long for forestry work as some of the other brands in our limited experience. As others have said, though, fit is the most important. I’d buy Crispis in a heartbeat if they fit me best.

I'm a huge fan of Zamberlan's 1030 Stella. I also added a pair of 1023 Latemar NW. Both boots are Norwegian welt construction and calfskin lined. The 1030 hasn't been in stock for several months, but looks to still be available in Europe. I bought both from OpticsPlanet with a healthy discount.

This post mirrors my own feelings EXACTLY.

Dave

I would also consider the Hanwag Alaska GTX. It is uninsulated, but plenty warm for even single digit temps for me (not stand hunting, however). I like them so much I bought a second pair. Very well made; made in Germany.

https://www.amazon.com/Hanwag-Alaska-GTX-Backpacking-Boot/dp/B07C1PBHVF?th=1&psc=1

I also have the Kenetrek Hardscrabble boots, which are just a touch lighter, and like them very much.

As others here have said, boots and feet are very personal, and everybody’s different. Try a number of them to find what you like.

If its OK I'd like add one more possible option to the mix and its even at a great price. I just replaced my favorite boots this year and had a hard time actually trying various brands on so did the order multiple boots thing.

I ended up keeping a pair of Crispi THOR II more for an early season boot - they are super light weight, pretty stiff sole but fit perfect of you don't have a uber wide foot.

But maybe my new favorite is a boot from Asolo that you can only buy at Sierra Trading Post, its the Asolo Europe Hunter if you like a 8"ish boot and are reasonable priced at $229.99 For an all leather boot thats a heck of a deal. Great ankle support, medium stiff sole and not too heavy. They are maybe my new favorite.

https://www.sierra.com/asolo-made-in-europe-hunter-gore-tex-hunting-boots-waterproof-for-men~p~31hjt/?filterString=mens-boots~d~137%2Fasolo~b~1120%2F

Or you like a taller version they also offer the Asolo Europe Hunter Extreme for $249.99

https://www.sierra.com/asolo-made-in-europe-hunter-extreme-gore-tex-hunting-boots-waterproof-for-men~p~47gfk/?filterString=mens-boots~d~137%2Fasolo~b~1120%2F

I ended up going with the zamberlan wasatch. On the zamberlan recommendation of a close friend, and government hunter. From what I did put together talking, and reading here. All the top of line boots seem to have a pretty good rep. Depending fit with individuals feet. Thanks again!!!




Take care, Willie

They look like a viable option, if I didn't already have three pairs of Crispi's- I'd give them a go

I have a pair of Kenetrek Hardscrabbles and a pair of Crispi Nevadas and have a bunch of miles on both. The Crispi’s are a better boot for me because they fit my foot better, specifically a bigger toe box like mtwarden mentioned. The build quality on both boots is very good, they both make a quality boot. The comfort of the Crispi is the best of any boot I have ever worn. It really comes down to which one fits your feet the best.

IWISH Asolos would work with my EE plus feet.

Crispi for the win! Kenetreks leather stretches out too much.

I struggle with boot fit - heel slippage and tight toe boxes being my biggest issues. I've been wearing Zamberlans for a few years which felt great new, but my heels seem to slip more and the toe box feels tighter the longer I wear them. I was really intrigued with Crispi based on what I've read here regarding roomy toe boxes. Trying on Crispi and Kenetrek recently, I found the Kenetrek to fit my feet better so just bought a pair of Mountain Extremes.

Schnee's mountain boot line looks interesting - the Granite and Divide models specifically. I may have to try them on next time I get to Bozeman:

https://schnees.com/schnees/mountai...ridvm-wIVaxXUAR1biw-CEAAYASACEgJNIvD_BwE

I wear a big boot (15 narrow), and having to take care of the feet to make a living most of my life, I experiment with different models. I do not scramble on the scree slopes in the high country anymore, but I still like to cover some ground! I tried a pair of Danner ( discontinued USMC combat boots) cuz the price was sleezy low! Well made boots and surprised how cold a temp I can hunt in them! I bought four pair, so I am good to go till the day of my funeral! I wear Schnees and Hoffman Pacs in the snow!