How to Choose Hiking Boots

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With leather uppers that bring a heritage hiking DNA vibe and super grippy rubber outsoles underfoot, the men's KEEN NXIS Explorer Mid waterproof hiking boots are designed to tackle rugged terrain.
Shop similar productsImported.
View the KEEN Nxis Product LineView all KEEN Men's Day Hiking BootsBest Use | Hiking |
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Footwear Height | Over-the-ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Waterproof | Yes |
Type of Waterproofing | KEEN.DRY waterproof/breathable membrane |
Upper | Nubuck leather |
Midsole | High-rebound EVA |
Outsole | KEEN.ALL-TERRAIN nonmarking rubber |
Weight (Pair) | Unavailable |
Gender | Men's |
Sustainability | Contains leather from a tannery rated by the Leather Working Group (LWG) |
7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | |
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U.S. Men's | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
UK | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
EU | 39.5 | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 47.5 | 48 | 48.5 | 49 |
Foot Length (in.) | 9.6 | 9.8 | 10 | 10.1 | 10.2 | 10.5 | 10.6 | 10.7 | 11 | 11.1 | 11.25 | 11.6 | 11.9 | 12.2 | 12.5 | 12.8 |
Measurements are stated in inches.
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The boots fit very comfortably out of the box with good flex in the soles. However, They do not use the hook loops for the laces at the top of the boot so you can't slip them off easily. This also makes it hard to tighten them down to prevent heel slip and you have to untie them every time. The old Nxis didn't use this terrible design. Great boot degraded by one flaw.
I hiked in Asolos for years along the AT, mostly in the Presidential range in NH, and I always felt like I had the best boots for the job, but they were never the most comfortable boots even after breaking them in over time. These Keens are SO comfortable and that's mostly what I'm focusing on in this review. Feels like walking on clouds and the wide Keen toe box is really nice. I took them out for 12 miles this weekend on two hikes with varied terrain and didn't want to take them off—and didn't have to, because they're nice enough to hit town afterward. Great traction, both the leather and the outsole seem like they'll hold up well over time, but I can't speak to durability or waterproofing in this review. I do trust Keen on the latter, though. Fit is true to size. I will note that I got them from REI Supply at a deep discount. Thanks to whoever returned them for my benefit here! They're gorgeous boots, and my favorite hikers so far, but even still I don't know if I'd drop $180 on them. If you can grab them on sale, I'd say go for it.
This has been my favorite pair for keens to date, I would love to see this line expand into more colors
I like keen shoes since I discovered them a few years back. They have a shape (bean shape) that feels better than straight line shoes. They hold up well, considering my dog and I log many miles over fairly rough trails. Even when they are worn out, I can throw a new insole from Keen, and use them kicking around the yard. I have had a few pairs ranging from casual shoes I can go out to eat with, to winter hiking boots that really do the job. Definitely worth a try for anyone looking for something comfortable and well made for a reasonable price.
I honestly believe the hype now! I haven't owned a new pair of hikers in about 6 years and these blow anything I've ever had out of the water. They fit exactly as they should. The wide toe box is excellent for long hikes if your feet swell. They were soft and comfortable right out of the box, with no break in needed. If I had any complaints at all, I would like to see speed hooks at the top two eyes, but that's not enough for me to knock a star off. KEEN.... don't change a thing! Excellent product!
Wore this boot all spring and summer and have loved them more than any other Keen boot I’ve had. Purchased a half size small to accommodate any stretching that might happen and they have fit great the whole time. Metal lace loops are a great feature especially if your hard on boots. My only complaint is that the bottom sole wore out quicker than expected but it wouldn’t detour me from buying again. Great boot right out of the box and lighter than most Keen boots I’ve purchased.
The boots are great, look cool, comfy all that. However they are missing a locking eyelet for laces. It should be second to the top. By not having it it makes it really hard to tighten the laces on the top of the boot because you can tighten them but there is nothing to hold that tightness while you take up that slack and tie the ends of the laces at the top of the shoe. @KEEN product team, seems like an easy fix. Im taking mine to a cobbler to see about replacing the eyelet
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I found the boots to be immediately comfortable and very well designed in durability, and what appears to be strengthened in possible weak points I have found in other similar boots. The only issue I have is that when I tie them, I have to tie them extremely tight at the top to keep the shoestrings from rolling up over the top edge of the boot, and then eventually becoming loose. Not sure what design would improve that, but not a dealbreaker on the quality of the shoe
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] After wearing them for a few days, the crease above the right 1st toe pressed into the toe so bad that it affected that joint. I had to quit wearing them. I couldn't return them because they were a free pair Keen warranty had sent me because the previous pair had the soles fall off after wearing them probably 15 times. I have been a Keen fan in the past, having owned at least 8 pairs of boots. But they seem to be made different now
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I only wore the NXIS Explorer for three days before one of the metal lace eyelets popped. If it weren't for that, this review would have been a four star. The shoes are very lightweight and great for walking and hiking. Look nice, fit well, but a bummer that they are not holding together after only a few uses. A good summer hiker, but at this rate they won't make it to the fall.