Kenetrek Safari Boots - Has anyone used them?

[dmyers]

I’m looking for upgrade my safari footwear in the next six months. Has anyone actually used kenetrek safari boots hunting in the heat in Africa? How did they do?

Also, looking at getting a pair of Courtney’s for hunting and for walking at home. Looking at the “hunter” model with a ripple sole- anyone used these hunting? I have no real foot problems, but after years of buying cheaper footwear, I now invest in quality.

Advice?

Thanks!

 

[fourfive8]

No idea about the Kenetrek "safari" boots- they still look more like rough terrain, mountain type footwear. If you get the Courtney low tops then certainly consider the gaiters for helping keep junk out. I like the Courtney all leather construction for warm/hot conditions.

 

[Wheels]

I have hunted in the "Hunter". They work well. Also use the "Hunter" and the "Impi" as casual wear. If you don't need arch support they are great.

 

[neckdeep]

I wore them on my first and only safari thus far in Sept 2016. I made darn sure they where well broke in and found them to form very quickly and comfortably. One thing I didn't think of that the PH noticed right away was how heavy lugged the tread is, he was worried they would be terribly noisy in the gravel, and much to his surprise they where not. It was pretty warm and my feet didn't sweat to bad, changed socks often of course. I got along really well with them, and will be wearing them again for 15 days in Mozambique this fall.

 

[dmyers]

I wore them on my first and only safari thus far in Sept 2016. I made darn sure they where well broke in and found them to form very quickly and comfortably. One thing I didn't think of that the PH noticed right away was how heavy lugged the tread is, he was worried they would be terribly noisy in the gravel, and much to his surprise they where not. It was pretty warm and my feet didn't sweat to bad, changed socks often of course. I got along really well with them, and will be wearing them again for 15 days in Mozambique this fall.

Thanks- Im thinking that they (Kenetreks) would be a good match for some of the more rugged hilly areas i’ve hunted in like the Kopkies (SP?) in Namibia chasing Mountain Zebra and Kudu.

 

[neckdeep]

We climbed up and down some kopjes chasing Klipspringer and Bushpig in the Save, never slipped once. Kenetrek Safari might be a excellent hybrid for those type's of situation's.

 

[dmyers]

We climbed up and down some kopjes chasing Klipspringer and Bushpig in the Save, never slipped once. Kenetrek Safari might be a excellent hybrid for those type's of situation's.

Did they fit true to your size? I will need to order them online.

 

[neckdeep]

Yes, I ordered same size as all my other shoes. If you have fat feet they may not work for you, they run a bit narrow in my opinion, maybe that's why they work for me, I have narrow feet.

 

[Red Leg]

They are a great mountain boot - desert model or the mountain extreme models (have both). The "Desert Guide" is a great boot for West Texas chasing Aouudad and Mule Deer. It would have been a fine boot hunting Hartman's Zebra in the Orongo Mountains of Namibia. I'll wear my uninsulated "Mountain Extreme" model in BC and the Gredos Mountains this fall. But for 99% of the hunting I have done in Africa, the Kenetrek is more boot than needed. I don't own a pair of the Safari's, but they two look like a fairly heavy hiking boot. I am sold on the Courtney and Russell PH for typical African terrain.

 

[fourfive8]

The Courtney design is very old, and if I've got my stories straight , based on long distance use by early trekkers. There is a difference between using footwear for mountain climbing and for long distance "trekking" over fairly flat, often times sandy terrain. I prefer the Courtney design for that type use. Also, given the two choices you showed- the Kenetrek mountain type stiff ankle design (no matter it being called the "Safari" model) versus the relatively low cut Courtney "Hunter" ... seems to be a comparison of apples to oranges from the get go anyway.

 

[Philip Glass]

I’m looking for upgrade my safari footwear in the next six months. Has anyone actually used kenetrek safari boots hunting in the heat in Africa? How did they do?

Also, looking at getting a pair of Courtney’s for hunting and for walking at home. Looking at the “hunter” model with a ripple sole- anyone used these hunting? I have no real foot problems, but after years of buying cheaper footwear, I now invest in quality.

Advice?

Thanks!

Go with custom Russell Moccasin boots.

 

[JamesJ]

Not raining on your parade, but Kenetreks look like a bit of overkill for safari footwear. I've never felt the need for a pair of rugged "mountain" boots in Africa especially looking at the weight of them. Average weight per pair for the safari boot is 2.9 lbs, you do more walking than climbing. Personally I wear good trail style running shoes and even climbing rocks ive never been left thinking my shoes were not up to par. Look at what the Ph's wear soft short leather boots or tennis shoes with flat soft soles. my .02 jj

 

[RGRCD]

The Kenetreks look like a good choice for the Eastern Cape. The terrain and cactus did a number on my all leather Raichle boots, but they held up.