KenetrekBobcat T Zip Insulated Pac Boot

I have been looking for this style of boot (zip front pac style) since I wore out the last pair from a different maker. Ordered these as soon as I saw them advertised in Hunt Alaska Magazine. Shipping was prompt.There is a bit of slip in the heel but fit at the toe and midpoint are just right. The top of the liner of the right boot was bulged in / down onto the top of my foot just behind the toe box but worked that out by stuffing newspaper into the toe area for a couple days. It would be nice if the liner was removable.For the most part these are everything I hoped they would be other than the heel slip. Probably won’t be a good boot for my snowshoes but perfect for putting on and getting outdoor chores done in the snow. Would buy again and I would recommend them.****EDIT: I was wrong. They are excellent boots for snowshoeing. Once the snowshoe bindings are tightened down there is ZERO heel slip. The looseness in the heel ( without snowshoes on) is an issue and if socks are not thick enough they will pull your socks down when walking. I’m still pleased with these boots and glad I spent the money on them

Hunting, hiking and other winter outdoors activities ask more of a boot than to keep your feet immediately dry and warm in the winter. They also have to maintain traction, provide support, not allow overheating (followed by sweating, then cold feet from wetness on top of ambient temperature), have sufficient flexibility, and fit well. A zipper is a great plus for convenience if it works well (this one does). It can especially be great for a quick change of socks and instant warmth should you accidentally get water in the boots. Snow-encrusted laces are a mess and only get worse if they're icy. A good zipper can take enough pressure to unzip even when fouled some. The stitching is strong and doubled in appropriate places; tripled at the joint with the rubber lower. The rear loop seems to be very secure but will not be stressed much as the zipper makes for an easy-on boot. The flare on the boot leg invites you to tuck your pants (or a layer) into it. If you don't, you'll find it a little loose, but not annoyingly so. I ordered these for a hunting trip and immediately put them on after they arrived to begin breaking them in.I chose these over the Kenetrek Bobcat K and C styles of boots ( Kenetrek Unisex Bobcat K Zip Insulated Boot , Kenetrek Unisex Bobcat Zip C Waterproof Inulated Boot ). You might want to check those out depending on your needs. I did not need complete waterproofing and chose more breathability. The K and C have a different sole that is thicker, more aggressive and would seem to be potentially longer lasting based on its material and depth. This Bobcat T has the "tires" tread and will not fill with the clay-mud in which I'll be trekking. The T model is also $20 less at the time of this review. I will not be on muddy slopes or I might have chosen the K/C styles. These clean quickly and don't track into the vehicle much. Make sure you see the heel as pictured. It has an integrated stop on the outside of the heel facing away from the sole so that you can use one foot to quickly pry the boot off the other foot. Why don't all outdoors boots have this excellent addition? Wow, is it convenient when your hands are cold and your boots are muddy! It gives you the leverage to quickly pop them off, hands free.The fit just behind the toe box, in front of apex of the arch of the foot before the ankle, is rather tight. In fact, the boot is just a little tight for size overall, but the arch is noticeably more so. This may be remedied by break-in as my weight and use will doubtlessly flatted the felt lining out some. The heel is loose and does not lock around my foot at all. The feel, after walking miles in them on various terrain, is something like a mud boot crossed with a sandal. The heel goes up and down and inch or two (with my big 13s--smaller feet might see less travel) as I step. But I haven't had chaffing from this and I quickly adapted to this being the "feel" of the boot. The miles also taught me that the tread is a little more slippery than I would like when I use the boot laterally (like side-stepping down a steep incline). But I knew I was making something of a trade-off by not having a stronger sole and more aggressive tread (the Bobcat K and C).The thin felt liner and very warm 400 Thinsulate keep the boots toasty with only a light pair of boot socks while I am active. They don't seem quite warm enough when I'm in a static position for hours, like a tree stand, when the temperatures are in the 20's. A thick pair of boot socks would make these boots a little warmer but also too tight (and I'll update this review after a month of wearing to redress this as break-in might change this).The arch area is disproportionately tight for the overall fit and the heel is loose--but it's not terribly so. This is the only "miss" on these boots for my purposes and the reason for me marking them a star away from a perfect review score.

I live in NoMi where winter is long. I wanted something that I could throw on to head to my mailbox or shop with new snow. These are easy on and easy off, quality is unparalleled, fit is great, plus I don't need a boot jack like I do with my muck boots.

Love the zippers. And they took the place of 3 different pair of shoes and boots in the winter months one pair does all !!!

The boots fit very well right out of the box. Very rugged and affordable. I am very happy with them.

Great boots. I did have to exchange for one size smaller. My bad.

Too low of an instep, the width somewhat narrow, and a little loose in heel. No room to add an arch support such as ' Superfeet '.

we had to order these boots twice because the first pair was to small ordered a size 10 and they were to small also.We had to pay both times to return these boots !!!! which was $42.00.