How to Choose Hiking Boots

Blending a classic all-leather construction with modern waterproof/breathable tech, the women's KEEN Pyrenees waterproof hiking boots help keep feet dry and comfortable over long days and rough miles.
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Imported.
View all KEEN Women's Day Hiking BootsBest Use | Hiking |
---|---|
Footwear Height | Over-the-ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Waterproof | Yes |
Type of Waterproofing | KEEN.Dry waterproof breathable membranes |
Upper | Waterproof nubuck leather |
Lining | Mesh |
Midsole | Compression-molded EVA |
Support | ESS shanks |
Outsole | Nonmarking rubber |
Weight (Pair) | 2 lbs. 3.2 oz. |
Gender | Women's |
Sustainability | Contains leather from a tannery rated by the Leather Working Group (LWG) |
5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 12 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. Women's | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 12 |
UK | 2.5 | 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 |
EU | 35 | 35.5 | 36 | 37 | 37.5 | 38 | 38.5 | 39 | 39.5 | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 42 | 43 |
Foot Length (in.) | 8.5 | 8.7 | 8.9 | 9.1 | 9.25 | 9.4 | 9.5 | 9.7 | 9.9 | 10 | 10.2 | 10.3 | 10.5 | 10.9 |
Measurements are stated in inches.
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Got my first pair of Pyrenees in 2019 and just received the second. After five years of hard use, I would say for anybody hiking mostly on trails, they’re overkill. For anybody hiking off trail regularly, through scree or tundra or red rock, the extra ankle support and heavy build of these boots will be welcome. PROS: -Durable. Very. Unlike many newer plastic-based shoes, the old fashioned leather uppers are slow to crack and are easy to maintain with regular coats of Nikwax. -Waterproof. As much as any shoe can claim waterproofness, this one holds its own, again with regular treatments of Nikwax. -Roomy toe box. Plenty of room to spread out. -Once they’ve had a chance to break in, they’re very comfortable indeed. I’m sorry to let the old pair go. CONS: -Initially pretty stiff. An old fashioned boot needs an old fashioned break in period. I find the stiffest area to be around the ankle. -With enough of a soaking, like any boot they will eventually get wet, and these take a very long time to dry out. -Not at all breathable. Your feet will roast on a warm day. Definitely recommend for only people in cooler locations. -Round laces!? I can look the other way for a dress shoe, but from a company like Keen ostensibly making functional footwear, round laces are ridiculous. They come undone all the time, unless you tie them in knots the size of grapefruits. Get some flat laces that will stay tied.
At first I was skeptical of these stompers; I've always been an ankle-free kinda hiker, but enough rocks have scraped and bruised my ankles now that I thought I'd give higher boots a try. They took a bit of time to break in, but now they're super comfy and honestly my favourite shoes to wear both on and off trail. I will say, as a person with a narrow gait, the shoelace hooks at the top of the boot have tried to catch the other boot a few times and almost resulted in some exciting face-plants. So perhaps if you're a fellow narrow walker you might just keep it in mind
I bought these boots for casual hiking. The minimum number of seams in the upper, and the roomy toe box were the features that compelled me to buy them. Usually, boots with many seams in the upper always find a way to be too tight or too stiff in the seam area. Unfortunately these boots developed a crease in an unseamed area, which I was hoping would work itself out. Hasn't happened yet, and the crease in the leather rubs the outer ankle bone. Also, it seems only the left boot is waterproof; the right boot absorbed water from the patches of snow I hiked through.
I bought these over three years ago and they are just starting to wear down after 3 years of intense use doing seasonal wildlife fieldwork (meaning almost daily wear), recreational backpacking, and hunting. The covered toe keeps the sole from sporting as quickly as other boots, which is usually where mine have start to come apart from other brands. With conditioning every so often, the leather has held up well in Wyoming's dry summers and a rainy season in the PNW. The waterproofing doesn't last forever, but I haven't found a hiking boot yet that doesn't end up with the waterproofing wearing out before the boot. I sized up half a size (from a women's 8 to 8.5) and ended up with a perfect fit after a few weeks to break them in, and they're the most comfortable hiking boots I've had, with some of the best durability. I don't usually review things, but I love these boots and am planning to buy another pair when mine finally wear out and they have my size.
I've been really fond of Keen shoes/boots because they are shaped like the human foot !! Enough toe space to allow for real people, y'know ? Two small quibbles with the Pyrenees: one, they will require a bit of break-in time to account for some stiffness in materials and construction; two, the fasteners/hooks are not deep enough to permit extra wrapping of excess lace length when tying them (somewhat bulky laces, which could darn near leash my big hounds but are difficult to tie firmly - oh well...).
Ordered both keen Pyrenees and Tarhee boots. The Pyrenees has a much narrower footbed and a little heavier. I returned them and kept The Tarhee as my foot is on the wide side. The length felt the same in both
I think these are the same as the Keen boots that I've had for maybe 8 years. I use these in cool and cold weather. The fit is perfect, and I can walk forever in them. I don't even need orthotics in them, also there is plenty of room, and I need thick socks. (They're a bigger size than my usual.) The insole, in addition to the longitudinal arch, has a transverse arch, which is great for my neuromas.
I bought a pair of Pyrenees about 6 years ago and loved them so much. The left boot started separating from the sole at the side of the big toe so I sadly had to source some new ones. I bought the Pyrenees again in the same size, but they don't fit the same at all. They feel much roomier in the boot which causes my feet to move around and my toes to jam up in the front when ascending. I am unable to remedy this with tighter lace tying, which just causes pinch points with the tongue at the top of my feet. They also just feel much stiffer and boxier, but hoping that's a break-in issue. I really love Keen, but I'm realllllly missing my old boots.
I have pretty bad bunions and other foot issues always making it difficult to find a shoe or boot that fits comfortably for any length of time. I could tell as soon as I put the Keen boots on that the toe box was a little wider than others I’ve tried. That’s an automatic thumbs up! Then after hiking in them was confident I found the right hiking boot for me!
These were awful. They never fully broke in, even after months of wearing. They are definitely water proof and sturdy, but so sturdy they were truly uncomfortable to wear. They were not a soft landing, and the seam between the leather and the sole on the outside was starting to wear even though the boots were NOT getting more comfortable. They were outside the return window. I eventually ended up donating them. This was my first and last pair of Keens. I am a 5'2" 120 lb woman with flat feet and overpronation. Looks like this shoe worked for some, but if you have any of my mechanics or are similar height/weight, maybe try something else.