Originally Posted by
Ron.C
Hope you are happy with the boots. I looked at those and almost pulled the trigger but know from experience for me, the Hanwag boot fits my foot like nothing else.
If you are happy with the soles on your kenetreks after a year, I'd email them and ask what sole they use and see if you can pick up a replacement set now knowing you will resole them at some point.
As far as Vibram soles go, I'll chime in as I have been down this road. "Vibram" make a !@#$load of different soles for boots. Not all are equal or fit for the same purpose.
Before you re-sole with a vibram sole, speak with a reputable cobbler that works with high end hiking/hunting boots and find out which vibram soles can be fitted to your footwear and that they are right for the purpose.
My Hanwag Alaskas have a nice grippy Vibram Foura sole that is very durable given how soft it feels. My Trapper tops (come with what I am told are vibram 1012 soles), very comfortable boot, but extremely hard soled (compared to the alaskas) that is unacceptable slick on logs, rock even wet steep trails. Probably great if all you walk in is soft ground, scree and snow. My Trapper Tops are getting resoled with Foura soles this week.
anyhow, sorry for the rant. But when it's time to resole your boots, seek a reputable cobber that works with high end hiking/hunting boots don't turn your awesome boots into useless pieces of #$%^ with the wrong soles.
Good luck with your hunts this fall