Best Insoles for Kenetrek and Crispi Boots: Why the Factory Insole Is Holding You Back

“A lot of times a boot might not fit your foot correctly and you might instantly feel like this is a bad boot for you, when in fact, that standard boot insole is most likely the root of the problem. Boot manufacturers do not make a custom arch in a boot that is supposed to fit every foot.”

“My Kenetrek hardscrabble boots have been extremely uncomfortable. I’ve ordered a pair of SheepFeet insoles to see if it helps… If they make my Kenetrek boots comfortable then it will be a pretty good investment.”

What Actually Changes When You Replace the Factory Insole

The goHUNT team put it plainly after testing SheepFeet in the field: if you want to hunt as hard on day one as on day seven, custom orthotics are what makes that possible. Here’s specifically what changes when you swap the factory insole for a custom orthotic in your Kenetrek or Crispi:

• Arch support that doesn’t move. A rigid-shell custom orthotic holds its arch profile under sustained pack load. The factory foam doesn’t. Day seven arch support with SheepFeet feels like day one. Day seven with a factory insole feels like nothing.

• A heel cup that actually fits your heel. Both Kenetrek and Crispi have well-designed heel pockets. A custom orthotic heel cup built to your specific heel geometry improves on that further — your heel is locked in more precisely, which reduces the micro-movement that causes blisters and the inward roll that causes arch and Achilles strain on downhill sections.

• Corrected pronation. If your foot overpronates — rolling inward with each step — a factory insole doesn’t address it. A custom orthotic built to your arch height corrects pronation at the source. This reduces knee and hip strain downstream that compounds over miles and days.

• Consistency across all your footwear. Your SheepFeet orthotics move with you. Same pair in your Kenetreks for early season, your Crispis for late season, your casual boots for the off season. Your feet get consistent support regardless of which boot is on your feet.

How to Install SheepFeet Orthotics in Kenetrek or Crispi Boots

One step most hunters miss: always remove the factory insole before installing custom orthotics. Stacking a custom orthotic on top of a factory footbed compresses the fit, raises your foot inside the boot, and defeats the purpose of both products.

• Pull out the factory insole completely — both Kenetrek and Crispi factory footbeds are fully removable

• Drop your SheepFeet orthotics directly onto the boot’s midsole

• Lace the boot normally and walk around before committing to a length — if the forefoot feels bunched or tight at the toe box, a 3/4-length may fit better in that boot

• Break in the boots with the orthotics already installed — not with the factory footbed first, then swapping later. The orthotic changes how the leather molds to your foot during break-in.

• If the fit feels significantly different from what you expected, contact SheepFeet — free adjustments are included

How the SheepFeet Fitting Process Works

Frequently Asked Questions

Do SheepFeet custom orthotics fit Kenetrek Mountain Extreme boots?

Yes. SheepFeet custom orthotics are compatible with Kenetrek Mountain Extreme boots in both full-length and 3/4-length options. The Mountain Extreme has a medium-to-high volume interior that accommodates a custom insole well. Remove the factory Kenetrek footbed completely before installing. Many hunters report that SheepFeet orthotics dramatically improve the feel of their Mountain Extremes, particularly hunters who struggled with the stock footbed.

Do SheepFeet custom orthotics fit Crispi Nevada boots?

Yes. SheepFeet custom orthotics fit the Crispi Nevada and Nevada GTX. Crispi Nevada boots come with a removable Air Mesh footbed that you replace with your SheepFeet orthotics. The Nevada’s medium boot volume works well with a full-length custom insole. The 3/4-length option is available for hunters who prefer to retain the Crispi forefoot feel or have a tight-fitting wide model.

Should I remove the factory insole before putting in custom orthotics?

Yes, always. Custom orthotics are designed to replace the factory insole, not stack on top of it. Installing a custom orthotic on top of a factory footbed adds unwanted volume, raises your foot inside the boot, and compromises the function of both. Remove the factory insole completely before installing your SheepFeet orthotics.

Will adding custom orthotics change the fit of my Kenetrek or Crispi boots?

It can, slightly, and in most cases for the better. Custom orthotics typically have similar or slightly greater volume than factory insoles, so the fit often feels snugger and more locked-in — especially in the heel and arch. If your boots already fit tight with the factory insole, discuss this with SheepFeet before ordering; they may recommend a 3/4-length option.

Are custom orthotics worth it if my Kenetrek or Crispi boots already feel comfortable?

Yes. Boot comfort at the store doesn’t translate directly to boot performance under heavy pack load on mile eight of a mountain day. Custom orthotics maintain consistent arch support and heel stability throughout the entire hunt, preventing the accumulated fatigue that even excellent boots develop when paired with a generic factory insole over multiple hard days.

The Bottom Line

Kenetrek and Crispi make two of the best hunting boot platforms on the market. The factory insoles inside them are average products in exceptional boots. That gap — between the boot’s capability and the insole’s capability — is exactly what a custom orthotic closes.

You spent $400 to $600 on a boot designed to handle everything the mountain throws at it. The insole is a $12 foam piece that doesn’t know your arch from anyone else’s. Fix the weakest link in the chain and find out what your boots were actually capable of all along.