How to Choose Hiking Boots

The American-built KEEN Durand II Mid Waterproof men's hiking boots use waterproof membranes, arch support and breathable linings to keep you comfortable from the first step to the millionth.
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Made in USA.
View the KEEN Durand 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 breathable membrane |
Upper | Waterproof nubuck leather |
Lining | Breathable mesh |
Midsole | Direct attach polyurethane |
Support | Thermoplastic urethane stability shank |
Outsole | Nonmarking rubber |
Weight (Pair) | 2 lbs. 12.2 oz. |
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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I’ve had these boots for less than 1 year and have put about 60-70 miles on them in dry weather conditions in the Sierra Nevada and Mojave desert. I started to notice a small seam rip on day 1 of a 2 day backpack trip. 9 miles later they looked like this and I had to call my trip short.
I really wanted to like these boots but the two pair that I have tried are not durable. I purchased them because they looked like good boots and they were Built in the USA. They are a comfortable boot and fit well. I purchased my first pair in February of 2022 and the heel lock strap came unstitched after about two months of light hiking. I returned it to REI without a problem and they shipped me a second pair of boots. I started hiking more as the weather warmed up. Then I spent a week in June at a summer camp wearing the boots everyday and hiking around the camp. I put about twenty miles on the boots and the seams began to break/ come unstitched around the toes on both boots. I will be returning the second pair of boots and looking for a different manufacturer that will hopefully be more durable.
I am extremely disappointed. I have a wide foot size 14 so I don't have many options for hiking boots. Bought Keen shoes because they fit wide feet. First, I had KEEN Targhee III hiking boots. They lasted less than 20 active hiking days (rocks, sand, snow, mud). Had to return due to bad side stitching (see picture). Then bought waterproof hiking boots KEEN Durand II Mid: very comfortable, waterproof. There were no complaints, except that after 10 days of hiking (rocks, gravel, snow) there was a problem with a loose seam (see photo). Absolutely unacceptable quality: after 10 days of intensive hiking, the seams on the boots parted. Seems that the stitching is a common problem for all Keen's. Will return boots and never buy Keen's products again.
I bought the Durand II Mid boots specifically for disc golf adventuring. Typically, the outside front edges of my throwing pivot foot are the canaries in the coal mine. As the seam connecting rubber to leather goes, so goes the overall longevity of my boots. I like that the Durand II has a solid hunk of rubber sole lining the outside edge instead of thinly textured sheets of rubber adhered together. Mids with glued strips of thin rubber (Merrell, Keen, Teva, ect) always seem to peel away in flaps within a month or two, even with light use. Not these particular boots, though. This month marks the first time I've had waterproof mid boots last an entire year of throwing mixed with light hiking without falling apart. So far, so good.
I was torn between these boots and the Oboz Bridger Mid BDry. I selected these because they had more room in the toe. The Bridgers felt lighter but, these seemed more comfortable. I took 1.5 days to break them in walking around the house and yard doing odd jobs. After that amount of time, some of the sole started pealing (see pic). The overall integrity of the outer sole was good. My first hike was a 10 mile hike in Bear Canyon (LA area, Mt Wilson). The trail had established paths with a ton of water crossings and some jagged rock paths. They held up very well and we comfortable the while way. Did even get any blisters, which was shocking since I always get them. They are very water resistive. They were getting dipped as high as the 3rd from the top lace hook (quick in and out). My foot never got wet and they were very quick to dry. Mind you it was about 70-75 degrees F that day. Overall I really like these. I am coming off a pair of Lowa Focus GTX Mid boots and I am really enjoying the added room and comfort.
These are the most comfortable boots I have had because of their extra wide fit. Other "wide" boots, are usually wide in the wrong areas for me. I like these and are pretty much my only comfortable choice. But these are the cons based on my experience of multiple pairs: - the speed hooks break off rather easy - the seams in the front rip open too early - traction is not the greatest
I've put over 600 miles in these boots and am satisfied. I've used them for hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, winter hikes, and everything in between. They've been waterproof and durable. My only complaint is the threads have torn in a few places and seems have come undone. The tread still has life so I wish keen would fix these boots for me. Also, these boots are definitely on the heavier side.
I have worn this exact model for over 5 years and they have held up very well with my 6'4" 195 lbs in them. I have mostly day-hiked with light packs, both in the wet of the Kenai Peninsula and the dry, rocky heat of Austin and RMNP. I also wear them to walk the dogs on rocky trails and concrete as well as occasionally using them as work boots. I would not hesitate to head out on a week-ender with a full pack with these on my feet. They were comfortable right out of the box and have never failed to be waterproof and protective. I am only replacing mine because I recently had foot surgery necessitating Rx orthotics (therefore a slightly bigger boot). They still seem to have a few years left in them and I will likely hand them down to my son. BTW, the review by graytrekker includes photos of some other boot. They may be Keens, but they are not the Durand II.
Would give 5 if the eyelets didn't snap off when they brushed up against a ladder. The most comfortable boots I've ever owned, will not wear anything else 18+ hours a day in these things and I can keep going. Please make the eyelets the same at the Dover boots and it will be 5 star everyday
I bought my first pair of these boots back in 2014. After several hundred miles on muddy/dusty/rocky trails in the Olympics and Cascades they’ve finally failed (rapidly expanding split around the toe box rubber). These have been the most comfortable and durable boots I’ve ever owned, and I’m hoping my new pair holds up as well as my old one.