KEEN Explore Vent

As Keen states on their website: “Hiking in the heat? No sweat. For our fans in warmer climates, we added breathable mesh to our men's lightweight hiker for added venting. Because who wants to let a sunny day go to waste?”

This is a killer summer hiking shoe. I’d even go as far as to classify it as a multi-season shoe. Whether you are on hard pack dirt, loose gravel type dirt, slickrock, multi-use paths, or pavement, this shoe won’t let you down.

If you are a Keen aficionado, the Explore Vent has the Keen traction that you have come to know and love. If this is your first foray into the world of Keen, you should be excited—very excited.

The midsole is stiff and capable, the heel is snug and hugging, the toebox is wide and comfortable, and the outer is durable and tough.

The size 10 fits perfectly. I often wear a 9.5 – 10 and would safely put this in the ‘true to fit’ category. I read a review where the writer complained that the shoe is too narrow. I disagree completely. Maybe we finally found the elusive Bigfoot?

Keen offers a “connect fit” system that snugs up around the heel and mid area and gives the support that you need. The toe box has plenty of room for your foot to splay the way nature intended. No ballerina toes here.

Not to be confused with the recently released waterproof version, this Black and Star White colorway is a super clean looking shoe. There's nothing flashy or extra—just business.

I recently put about 50 miles in the mud, puddles, dirt, dust, and rock. The all-terrain 4-millimeter lugs offer extraordinary traction with their multi-directional pattern.

You can see pictured below, the heel protrudes quite a bit, so that would keep the shoe from entering the running category, but its a lightweight hiker all the way.

I even tried using these on my mountain bike, but the heel was getting in the way. It could double as an all-day walking shoe, as I have a co-worker in IT who wears these to work each day.

The rubber around the toe works as a toe protect and keeps your toes protected from rocks and roots that may be in your path. It even blocked out a little water even though the shoe isn’t the waterproof version.

The vent material kept my feet dry and cool, but on the rainy days, they didn’t seem to take on water, and my feet remained comfortable in both extremes.

Inside the heel, you will be blessed with an extra layer of padding to keep your foot comfortable as you stomp around chasing the dogs.

If you are looking for a great ‘grab and go’ shoe that is comfortable and can take a beating, this is a great shoe to fit that mold.

Overall, great shoe, great fit, and I highly recommend it.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Incredible traction
• Stable
• Wide toe box
• Quality materials

Cons

• Heel protrudes and can be a bit intrusive

To know more about Keen Explore Vent, visit Keen's official page!

When it comes to lightweight distance hiking shoes, I am a bit of a self-proclaimed newbie. So when I had the chance to try what many consider to be the best brand of hiking shoes available, I was excited to give them a try.

This is where I start with my review of the Keen Explore Vent lightweight hiker. On a first impression, this is an excellent beginning hiking shoe.

As my first true hiking shoe, I am impressed with the combination of durability/protection with how comfortable this shoe fits. This shoe is marketed as a hiking shoe that is breathable and designed to handle summer hiking or warm climates while still providing ample protection.

Features

• 4mm multi-directional lugs
• Stability shank
• Konnectfit heel-capture system
• Radial support system

Tech specs

Fit

The sole of the shoe is thick, padded and provides plenty of foot support. The rocker creates a comfortable ride on any terrain.

The Konnectfit heel-capture system locks the foot in and gives the ankle plenty of support. This heel system works in combination with a simple 4 eyelet lacing system that certainly makes the ride feel snug and locked in.

The rubber outsole utilizes Keen all-terrain technology to handle any surface. I have used this shoe on technical trails as well as wet trails, and the grip is sticky and doesn’t wear down over time.

The lugs are rather large at 4-mm thick, and the crescent design allows hikers to dig into loose terrain and feel secure moving over loose trail. The outsole features ridges on the forefoot and heel to provide added grip and protection.

Materials

The midsole is sufficient and made of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). The midsole provides plenty of support and enough cushioning and shock absorption for long hikes!

The shoe features multiple design elements to increase the smoothness of the ride, notably including a lightweight shank to increase support in the shoe. A simply designed radial support system improves stability when moving up or down angled terrain.

The cushioned foot bed provides an extra layer of cushioning for added support. The 4mm multi-directional lugs give plenty of grip on any surface.

The upper is constructed of mesh with protective overlays added. The liner is also made of mesh. Both the tongue and ankle collar have plenty of padding, which makes the shoe very comfortable to wear on long hikes.

Sizing

The shoe really wraps the foot, providing comfort and cushion where you need it most. An eyelet-based lacing system and thick stretchy laces work great within the shoe.

The traction has been impressive. I have rarely slipped in these shoes and only on wet paths. As a trail runner used to taking slips and falls on occasion, I really like how locked in and stable I feel when moving around in the Keen Explore Vent.

These shoes are waterproof throughout, which makes for a comfortable and dry hiking experience. These shoes are not designed to be completely submerged but handle dew, frost, and occasional stream crossings with ease.

I find that this shoe fits true to size. I normally wear 11, and these fit great at the normal size.

Cushion

The Keen Explore Vent has plenty of cushion underneath, but I should mention that it is not a shoe that handles extremely rocky terrain all that well. The bottom sole of the shoe is soft and somewhat flexible.

Pointy and sharp rocks are noticeable underneath. With a heavy pack, I feel that this would be even more relevant to the overall experience.

The toe protection is sufficient, but there is not a ton of extra toe room. With that said, the shoe has plenty of protection and cushion to help protect the front of the toes.

Pros

• Very comfortable
• Plenty of durability/protection
• Tacky/grippy ride
• Looks great
• Handles moving up and down hills well

Cons

• Not very much toe box room
• Relatively narrow throughout
• Heavier than expected
• Not recommended for running

Summary

All in all, the Keen Explore Vent hiking shoes are very comfortable while providing a ton of support and traction on the trails.

The comfortable fit and protective elements add together to create a hiking experience that is lightweight and enjoyable. I especially recommend this shoe for warm climates or summer hiking months.

While this shoe is not extremely lightweight, it certainly feels very light when compared to similarly protective hiking boots. The overlays and simple design create a hiking shoe that will work for many, especially those looking for something. 

To know more about Keen Explore Vent, visit Keen's official page!