How to Choose Hiking Boots

These mid-height KEEN waterproof hiking shoes are built for miles of trail comfort. Lightweight, durable mesh uppers and KEEN.BELLOWS FLEX in the forefeet make every step feel easier.
Made in USA.
View the KEEN Durand Product LineView all KEEN Women'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 | Performance mesh |
Lining | Quick-dry |
Midsole | Direct-attach |
Support | Stability shank |
Outsole | KEEN.ALL-TERRAIN rubber |
Weight (Pair) | 3 lbs. 0.96 oz. |
Gender | Women's |
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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I live in Park City, Utah and this has been a record year for snow with over 200 inches. I took the shoes out on a couple hikes in 20 degree weather and a couple of feet of snow. At the end of a 5 mile hike my feet were warm and dry even though I had to posthole on occasion. The grip was very good and the flexible rubber across my toes was very comfortable. I didn't need any break-in period. Also the padding in the shoe kept the bottom of my feet very comfortable as well. I just found my new go to hiking shoes.
I have the Keen Durands from 2014/2015 and I loved them long and hard. They were perfect for my wide feet. But they needed to be replaced so I bought the new version, same size (women’s 10.5). I tried them out a few times and they are infinitely more narrow than the older version. The toe box was so small that my two smallest toes on each foot went numb by the end of a 45 minute nature walk. So disappointed that Keen narrowed the toe box. I returned these and found my old boot design on a resell site (only worn twice) and had no problem with the minimal breaking in and the toe box. Really bummed with the new design. It is also less breathable and made my feet sweatier.
I am amazed at how comfortable these boots are. I have always struggled to find boots that are practical and comfortable at the same time. These are lightweight, yet very sturdy. The toe box is really wide, which accommodate my wide feet really well. I’ve been out on trails, in rain and mud, and on pavement for long hikes and these are definitely a winner. They’ve quickly become my go-to for anything outdoors.
These shoes are roomier than the Keen hikers of a different model that I bought last year. I was glad of this as my feel like the extra room in the toe. At first, I found the stitching seams on the sides of the tongue to be irritating to my foot-- they always seem to put the stitching where my bones are!. I imagine they cut corners for input costs, but, just so you know, Keen people, those seems are not kind to the foot. Eventually, however, after modifying how I laced them for a while, they broke in to feel ok. I would have been very unhappy if I had taken these for long walk/hikes before they were broken in. I love Keens for the shape of the heal and the over all wide toe box. They are the only brand I can rely on to fit my heal without blisters, so I have been buying them since the company started! As the picture shows, the mesh upper started pulling away and tearing where it meets the rubber side of one shoe. Not good. This started occurring about 6 weeks after buying them with only gentle use. This picture was from a month ago, and the tearing is now only a little worse. I decided to keep them (now that they are nice and broken-in and comfortable on my feet). I even decided to buy another pair of this exact show while the sale is on. I can use the torn ones around the house (since I am imagining the tears is more cosmetic than functional) once I break in the new pair for hiking. I may just go out and buy some shoe-goo to put on the seam if need be.
Excellent!! I’m an ultra runner & avid hiker. Resulting from a fall, I obtained a Trimalleolar fracture. (Basically broke my foot off of my leg- very traumatic injury). Not only are these great hiking boots, but they are now the best supportive shiw that I own. I wear them daily, even in the house. I literally thank God for this Keen hiking boot. It’s somehow flexible, yet supportive, waterproof, yet breathable. It’s perfect. Please never stop making this boot! They don’t hurt across the top of the foot or on the leg, as other boots do. These are the most comfortable hiker ever ! I plan to buy more to have for in the future.
If you have a smaller heal and need a wider toe box, this boot is great. It’s super comfortable to the point that I forgot I was wearing them. I have had major issues finding the right fit because of my small heal and bunion (which is why I need the large toe box). The only thing I wish it had was the little clip on the top for gaiters. Other than that, its perfect!
These are my second pair of Keen boots (the first are ankle height and the same size). These boots are excellent for both regular and rough terrain! I've worn them on rocky, steep trails and felt a bit like a mountain goat being able to step on whatever I wanted. Heading downhill, I was able to lightly jog/trail run down rocks - these boots are surprisingly flexible and not too heavy. The tread/grip is great and the black bendy part across the top of the foot (just past the shoelaces) made the shoes really nice to move around in. I also liked that they're relatively easy to take off and put back on without needing to spend too much time readjusting the laces. I slipped mine off to check for blisters the first couple times I wore them and had no issues. I usually wear a women's 6.5 and prefer wide sizes and flexible uppers due to a high arch - these boots in 6.5 fit great, weren't tight, and had plenty of room for adjustment with the laces. I've worn wool socks and felt like I had adequate space in the toes. No issues with blisters, even on the initial wears. I've worn these in warm (70-80F) and cooler weather (45-55F) without issue and feel like I'll be okay with wool socks in colder weather, maybe down to 25F (these boots aren't insulated). I also love the gray/black neutrals (pairs well with colorful socks!). Currently I don't have anything I would change about these and look forward to wearing them on rocky terrain.
I love the way the materials keep water out and are fairly light. However, I bought my usual keen size and the tie box is too narrow and makes my small toe numb after about two miles. I wish they would go back to the old fit.
I have had several pairs of the original keen Durands that were all leather and have loved everything about them. I would not have even considered buying different boots. They were the perfect fit and comfort right from the box with no break in time at all. This new design is so uncomfortable. After having them on for twenty minutes I could feel pressure spots on the tops of my feet along the back heel and where the keen konnectfit is. I thought that maybe after wearing them for several hikes and miles they would get better but it actually got worse. I tried tying them different ways but it did not help. I would recommend going to the store and trying these on walk around with them on for a while because they are nothing like the old durands and will not fit or feel the same at all.
These boots arrived for me right as I was about to embark on a several day winter trip along the coast. The first thing I noticed when I put them on was that I hardly noticed them. After a few minutes, I just barely noticed they were on my feet at all. That’s always a major plus for hiking boots, in my view. The fit was good, though I felt like there there was a bit of extra width in the heel. I can verify that the waterproofing in them works extremely well, even against salty water and lots of it. I found myself wading in shallow, muddy water on several occasions. And there were times when the waves snuck up on me as well. Ankle support was also very good as I used them for trekking up and down area hills. The one area where I felt like these boots fell short was warmth. My feet cooled fairly quickly in them. I would prefer something warmer for the winter. But, for summer weather or mild weather, these are a very good go-to boot. In the winter, adding an extra sock layer will help. But I’d go with something warmer when the temps get down to the 40s or so.