Kennetrec "Rancher" boots?

[slowbowjoe]

Wondering if anyone has any feedback on these. I've had a pair of Vibram lug soled Sorel's for 35 years; the soles are still in excellent shape but the uppers are totally shot. This time around, I'm looking for something with a closer fit and much better quality leather uppers. Couple of requisites are that the boot is waterproof enough for a step or two in shallow water as I get into and out of the canoe, and a sole that's flexible both in the boat and for feeling the ground for late season hunting. Anyone use these?

[degabe]

ll Bean Boots. They do have insulated ones.

[Tim Finley]

Schnees are great boots will last along time .

[slowbowjoe]

Looking at the Schnees too, came across them after my first post.

[rjackson]

Schnees makes a great boot.

Randy

[2wfstlhunting]

I have had multiple styles from both companies for years.  The leather on the Schnee boots is thicker, but truth be told my oldest Bean boots were recently resoled and the uppers quite usable.  I have had both Bean and Schnee boots resoled and both companies do a good job with it.  There are a lot of variations in the boots and the Bean boots do tend to be a little intentionally oversized.  You may need to go to Bozeman to try out a few pairs, and then skip over to Maine.  Should be an adventure...or buy one of each and test it out for the next 5 years.  You can never have too many boots

[Ryan Rothhaar]

Just to confuse things more....check out hoffmans.  I went thru the same deal a few years back when my maine hunting shoes went kaput.  I looked at Kennetrek too, frankly I think they are an overhyped brand. Especially the pacs...that much $$ for boots from Thailand....I ended up with hoffman insulated pacs.  Really nice boots, about 10x the quality of my last ll bean boots. Made in Idaho, reasonably priced.  The bean type hoffmans are more than a third less cost than kennetreks bean types, and US quality.

As far as waterproofness, I packed out from elk camp 4 miles in the hoffmans in 6 inches of wet snow and no seepage, that's the most I've worn them in wet conditions so far. 

To be clear, I have the hoffman winter type pacs, not the bean type.

R

[Kbob]

I'll second Hoffmans, myself and most if the other foresters I know in NW MT rely on Hoffman's pacs. They have better durability, nice airbob soles (for ice) and are reasonably priced. To be clear I wear them 3-4 days a week in 10 hour sub freezing days. If you check their closeout page you can sometimes luck out and get boots for $150 or so.

[Skates 2]

Might want to check out the new Sponsor Thorogood.   My friend loves them and he's been living in them since they came out.  I'll be getting a pair for Christmas based on his testimony and that he let me wear them for a day in the mountains proving his testimony.

[slowbowjoe]

Thanks, all, for the feedback. Went and ordered some Schnee's, but for one reason or another they arrived as a 13, rather than a 10. (Not blaming, could've been a simple mistake on either end, since they're a 13" height), so I don't have much idea of the fit. They do seem well made.

Have been looking at the Hoffman's after reading some of the input here, and now I'm kinda on the fence, sounds like the Hoffman's are equal, at least in quality... and considerably less expensive. Looks like there's a 3 week build time on them right now.