I’ve worn Kenetrek boots on and off for years. Regardless of making an attempt completely different manufacturers and types of trainers, high quality and dependability at all times convey me again to a pair of Kenetreks.
The brand new Bridger Excessive providing fills the gaps within the straight leather-based heavy-duty looking boot market. Whereas each boot fills a special want, the Bridger Excessive will certainly be a go-to when the climb is steep and the temperatures are heat. They’re light-weight however rugged in ways in which simply make them completely different and extra succesful, relying in your chase.
Briefly: The Kenetrek Bridger Excessive is the corporate’s lightest true boot providing, however lives as much as the Kenetrek fame for the paths much less traveled. It’s light-weight however constructed for heavy-duty days on the mountain. From spring bear looking by fall bow season, this boot is mild, stiffer than anticipated, and can get you out and in of just about wherever.
- Lace-to-the-toe
- 7″ tall leather-based and nylon uppers
- Kenetrek Supportive Footbeds
- Pronounced heel pocket
- Protecting rubber rand
- Windtex waterproof membrane
- Full-length nylon midsoles
- Kenetrek KT-Mild outsole
-
Light-weight -
Sturdy -
A lot of help -
Nice traction
-
Dear (however you undoubtedly get what you pay for) -
Lengthy break-in interval
Kenetrek Bridger Excessive Overview
Overview
The Kenetrek Bridger Excessive is smooth, has no frills, and is hard as nails. It’s a facelift from the standard brown leather-based many Kenetrek loyalists are used to. However the brand new look ushers in an period of light-weight but heavy-duty footwear that Kenetrek lacked for some time.
I weighed these boots in at a hair over 54 ounces. The web site says the Bridger Excessive weighs 2.9 kilos or 46 ounces. I put on an 11, and I consider the usual for measuring is a ten. So, these fall properly inside that window of grace.
These boots characteristic a lace-to-the-toe design with 7-inch tall leather-based and nylon uppers. As billed on the Kenetrek web site, the Bridger Highs have loads of arch help. The pronounced heel pocket is noticeable and may take some getting used to if you happen to aren’t used to sporting a mountain boot.
The rubber rand protected the boot whereas scrambling shale slides and mountain climbing off-trail. The boot has a Windtex waterproof, breathable, versatile membrane and performs properly in blended circumstances. The KT-Mild outsole is a trimmed-down model of the usual Okay-Talon and presents loads of traction in a broad mixture of circumstances.
My Expertise within the Bridger Excessive Boots
I traveled to British Columbia in Might for a spring black bear hunt with Primitive Outfitters. Within the 6 weeks main as much as it, I racked up miles underneath a medium load with these boots in preparation for my first-ever guided hunt. It’s been some time since I needed to break in a pair of Kenetreks, and the Bridger Highs let me know rapidly that I would want to place some miles on earlier than these boots felt “proper.”
Don’t get me improper; the Bridger Highs felt good on my toes out of the field, however these are boots — not a pair of slippers. I might strongly advise in opposition to sporting these for a difficult hunt on day one.
Kenetrek is thought for high-quality boots that can shield your toes within the harshest circumstances, however if you happen to soar into these with out some due diligence and a few work to interrupt them in, they’ll take your lunch cash and sure go away your toes paying the worth.
Safe, Non-Intrusive Really feel
Considered one of my favourite issues about these boots is how safe they really feel on my toes. These boots had been by no means in the best way. I’ve typically felt clunky sporting a heavy-duty boot, getting out and in of rigs, and even simply making an attempt to be stealthy within the second of fact.
Whereas sneaking logging roads on my bear hunt, I felt mild and had loads of management of my foot placement. Even with the management, I’ll convey a pair of moccasins to shut the space the following time I head north.
Spring bear season runs the gamut of climate circumstances, particularly in British Columbia and my house state of Montana. Snow caught round for ages, so I spent most of my bear season at decrease elevations, the place the grass was greener and the mud was thick.
These boots stayed bone dry in heavy rains, and although I wore gaiters, I’ve little doubt they’d achieve this regardless. I by no means felt like I used to be slipping, even within the snottiest mud, and I used to be impressed with the help and grip they offered whereas charging up steep attracts on dry floor.
Lately, these boots have gained main favor for summer time scouting missions. They’ve confirmed breathable on oppressively sizzling days, steady whereas lugging treestands, and dry when getting out and in of my canoe.
Who Ought to Purchase the Bridger Excessive
Hunters trying to strike the steadiness between sturdy options, old-school reliability, and proving mild in your toes, take discover. Kenetrek has entered the chat.
Heat-weather hikers, spring bear hunters, and archery elk hunters will get probably the most out of the Bridger Excessive. They provide loads of help for packing heavy hundreds over many miles, however they’re mild sufficient to maintain you transferring and never feeling additional kilos in your again.
They breathe properly within the warmth and shed water effortlessly. As a result of they’re a 7-inch boot, you’ll wish to maintain gaiters helpful for larger creek crossings or wet forecasts.
What I Love
Three issues stood out to me about this boot: the burden, the traction, and the steadiness.
Bridging the hole between a light-weight path shoe and a boot that may deal with a broad swath of the season has been difficult. Usually, boots which can be up for the trials of a season are on the heavy facet and infrequently trigger extra points than they clear up.
A path shoe allowed me to cowl miles and stay mild on my toes however left so much to be desired as soon as I received an animal down. The Bridger Highs fill that hole and fill it properly.
The traction on these boots was impeccable, from slick logging roads to steep hawthorn coulees. The trimmed-down Okay-Mild outsole maintained Kenetrek’s fame for a surefooted boot with noticeable weight financial savings.
Whereas packing a heavy load and even getting out and in of my canoe, my toes and ankles at all times felt locked in and safe. All I needed to do was maintain my eyes ahead and go.
What I’d Change
The break-in interval appeared to pull on and on. For a few month, I saved considering, “Lastly, they’re virtually there,” however that finish was nonetheless on my horizon. They’re damaged in properly now, however I’m wondering if a large would possibly serve me higher in the long term.
The boots are fitted. There isn’t a lot wiggle room, so if you happen to like house for different-sized socks or various levels of tightness, I’d suggest a special boot.
I paid particular consideration to which socks I wore with these Kenetreks. I observed {that a} looser sock wished to pinch and fold underfoot, inflicting discomfort that wouldn’t work itself out.
Each time, I needed to take the boot off, repair my sock and retie. Because the Bridger Highs are perfect for heat climate hunts into an early rifle or spring bear, take into account a sturdy and well-fitted sock will prevent some irritation.
Remaining Ideas
The Kenetrek Bridger Highs are an amazing all-around boot that can carry you thru quite a lot of hunts and terrains from spring till the snow flies within the fall, and possibly then some nonetheless. They’re light-weight, can deal with no matter weight you throw at them, and are constructed to final. Simply be sure to ease into the break-in course of and provides your self loads of time to get them molded on your toes.