Keen Gypsum Mid Hiking Boots - Men's

Comments about Keen Gypsum Mid Hiking Boots - Men's:

Fit: the boots are very comfortable and I do appreciate the generous toe box. I ordered a size 11.5 and I'd say that the fit is somewhat true to size but perhaps just a bit short and a bit wide. They seem to be a full "D" width. My feet measure a size 11 total length, size 11.5 arch length, and B to C width with narrower heels and wider toes. These boots definitely have a wider heel than I'm used to.

Construction: I didn't notice any issues with construction. The shoes had a fairly strong scent to them though - somewhat oily, perhaps from a leather treatment or the glue.

Waterproofness: they passed my tub test (10 minutes in the water). However, the leather lacks any real DWR treatment and it soaked through extremely quickly -- more quickly than some of my running shoes or dress shoes! My feet stayed dry, and Keen's waterproof/breathable membrane seems to work just fine. However, I've never seen a pair of "hiking boots" soak through so quickly - my Asolo Fugitives probably had the most bombproof DWR treatment, with Scarpa not too far behind. I can imagine that once these things get wet on the trail, they'll stay wet for a long time. This could be an issue in the winter - once the leather wets out, it'll freeze overnight.

Comfort: excellent cushion and light weight. The soles have a pretty stable feel to them. My biggest complaint is in their lacing system. I don't really like the strap that runs from the 2nd lace (from the top) back around the heel. It looks like it will lock your heel firmly in place, but I can't seem to get it to lock my heel without over-tightening my toes. There seems to be too large of a gap between that loop and the top eyelets (which are standard metal clips). As a result, I feel like I'm over-tightening my toes, but I can't really get the top of the boots tight the way I like them. Maybe that will change as they break in? But they just feel somewhat loose around my ankles. Maybe it's the lacing, maybe it's just because the boots run a tad bit wide.

Hopefully I'll post a follow up review in a few months. For now, 4 stars. These would probably be 5 star boots for someone with wider heels.

Comments about Keen Gypsum Mid Hiking Boots - Men's:

Keen still makes a one of a kind fit. They finally have hit on an all purpose hiker which encompasses all the typical attributes of Keens. The boot has the most comfortable, foot friendly fit of most any product yet this model is beefed up for "real" hiking. Keens just seem to allow one's foot to adopt a natural, "non-squeezed", firm, stable status ..... what every shoe/boot should accomplish. I live in SW New Mexico and the kindest trails you can find are made by cows in the wilderness. The typical trails [if you can call them that] and terrain out here are rough and rocky. These boots have an improved tounge which make downhill tightening very comfortable and secure. The leather feels secure and supple, yet tough. The treads handle the rockiest of trails,demonstrating great absorption and traction, even when lugging a large sized day pack. The ankle is stabalizing, yet soft and non-intrusive.
The boot doesn't even look too dorky .......... so all in all is a big winner and that's true even without considering the great price which makes it all the more attractive.
I have my working pair now and I am ordering a "clean" second pair to use for "around town" duties only.

Comments about Keen Gypsum Mid Hiking Boots - Men's:

I purchased these boots for general wear at the suggestion of the surgeon who repaired my ruptured Achilles tendon.I wore these boots all day today after being in 3 different casts over the past seven weeks.I went to physical therapy in them and wore them around the yard the rest of the day. I have never had a more comfortable pair of boots or shoes. I am very surprised at the comfortable foot and ankle support provided by these boots. I am usually very rough on boots so in a few months I will be able to report on how well they have held up.

Comments about Keen Gypsum Mid Hiking Boots - Men's:

feel like improved targhee II's...should have named them Targhee III

Comments about Keen Gypsum Mid Hiking Boots - Men's:

The targhee II's older cooler brother is in town from college to teach its lil' bro how to fine tune its game. Gypsum's offer better leather, improved arch support, wider sole for improved balance.optimal ventilation with anatomically intelligent design targetting key stress areas of foot and ankle for optimal comfort without compromising perfomance...they breathe like new age merrel cross trainers "boots" minus the hyperventilated, post grizzly attack, slashed up mesh esthusiast awefulness

Comments about Keen Gypsum Mid Hiking Boots - Men's:

I bought these boots for hiking and backpacking but the first time I used them was a 2 mile snowshoeing trip. Here's the good, the bad, and the ugly:

Good:
These boots are the most comfortable hiking boots I have ever worn and literally needed zero break in time. The boot has a good width that also accommodates swelling feet during longer trips. The traction seemed very stable, though I really only used these boots on snow and some ice pack. The boots also seem very durable.

Bad:
The laces of these boots seem inconsistent when compared to the price of the boot, as well as the quality of the boot itself. The boot seems to be of very good quality, but the laces are fairly flimsy and seem like they could rip in the grommets. Also, as another reviewer commented, it would be nice to have another ankle grommet, or more lace loops higher up on the ankle. While the boot fits perfectly, the shank is a little loose on the ankle. Neither of these complaints are huge though.

My biggest complaint with this boot is that it is not water resistant, much less waterproof. About 1 mile into the snowshoeing trip I began to notice some dampness on my left foot. I was wearing very thick wool socks, so I thought it just might be cold, but not wet. Upon removing my left boot after 2 miles however, the top of my sock was damp, but the inside of the top of the boot was soaked! This was from snow! I wasn't wading through streams, I didn't have these boots in the tub, it was snow! So I figured that maybe my left boot was just a fluke, maybe it was manufactured incorrectly. Upon removing my right boot I found the same thing. The top of the boot was soaked! This was not foot perspiration because it was only the top of the boots that were wet, and this was the only place the boots made contact with the snow, since I had snowshoes on. I have no idea how these boots survived one reviewer's tub test, but maybe leaving them in the tub for 30 minutes instead of 10 would yield different results. I returned these boots, hopefully I'll find something with gore-tex.

Conclusions:
This is a fantastic boot for comfort, fit, and sturdiness. If you're looking for a boot to do backpacking or hiking in arid environments, this is a great choice. If, however, you're looking for a boot that is actually waterproof for all conditions, I'd save your receipt because you just might be making a second trip back to REI.

Comments about Keen Gypsum Mid Hiking Boots - Men's:

If you're a fan of Vibram's five-finger shoes and are looking for a boot for better protection when in the mountains then you should try this boot. The boot gives solid contact with the ground like the five-fingers due to the wider outer sole. This gives it a very stable feeling - to test this put one of these on one foot and a boot like the Yellowstone IIs on the other and you'll see what I mean. The Yellowstones feeling like you're standing on a train rail.
What really gives these a great feel for my feet that are in love with five fingers is the wide toe box with a firm hold on the heel that doesn't seem to slip.
Other pluses:
The waterproofing seems to be good, although I've only put about 50 miles or so on them, but it was slogging through very wet SE Alaska these last two weeks.
The traction held well on from wet granite to water swept boat decks.
They breath well on longer day hikes, but I haven't really put them through the paces yet. No hot spots to speak of though.
Break-in was quick, over the first 10 miles of causal/light mountain walking. The upper felt fairly stiff until they were broken in.
The downside is the insole - replace the factory one and you'll be set.

Also do yourself a favor and try these with the Injinji crew toe sock - a very nice duo.

Comments about Keen Gypsum Mid Hiking Boots - Men's:

My feet have been using these boots for over a year now for day hikes/backpacking around Oregon and Washington. I must say that they absolutely love them. Everything is topnotch: they're durable, comfortable, and somewhat water resistant. My feet stayed mostly dry when I foolishly stepped in a 5" puddle of ice water on a trail. Thanks Keen, for making my feet happy!

Comments about Keen Gypsum Mid Hiking Boots - Men's:

Ok so these boots feel great right out of the box . I wore them to work one day before a 9 mile hike in the catskills . going up hill they felt great and did not hurt my feet at all , they needed no break in at all . I am a heavy set man 300+ so the problem i had was coming down hill , my toes felt like they were going to oush thru the front of the boot and by the time we got back to the parking area I was in so much pain I could barely walk from my toes jamming into the front of the boot . they need another lace grommet on the ankle for sure

Comments about Keen Gypsum Mid Hiking Boots - Men's:

I've wanted a new pair of boots for a while, but didn't hike enough to really justify the purchase. I've had a pair of expensive Italian-made Montrail hiking boots for many years, and every time I wore them for an extended period, my feet (toe area) would get very sore. I finally broke down and decided to replace them.

After a bit of homework, I settled on the Gypsum. I got them a couple months ago and wear them fairly often during these winter months, casually. Let me tell you, I LOVE these boots!

In my 40+ years of living, I don't know if I've had a pair of shoes/boots that I've enjoyed so much. They are extremely comfortable, even after a full day's worth of walking. In fact when I get home, I almost don't want to take them off.

One reviewer mentioned he wished there was another lace grommet near the top of the boot. Personally, I'm glad there isn't. For a boot, these are amazingly easy to slide on and off. You un-tie them, take the laces off the top hooks, and the top simply spreads out for your foot to easily pull out. When putting them on, your foot pops in quickly, you pull on the top of the laces, wrap 'em around the hooks, and tie 'em off. No need to go down each cross of the laces and individually pull on them to tighten them. Very quick and snug. Love it.

I must mention; I haven't tested these on the trail. I've put many miles on them around town and in light trail situations, but no rugged terrain or the like. But when I do hit the trail in the nicer weather, I'll be wearing these.

Lightweight, sturdy, and very, very comfortable.