Verdict from 9 experts and +100 user reviews

8 reasons to buy

  • Reviewers in droves, which include professional shoe critics, were stumped by the lavish level of comfort of the KEEN Pyrenees hiking boots. This particular quality impressed even those suffering from Neuroma.
  • Gear pundits hailed the hiker’s waterproofing as nothing short of amazing.
  • It took a number of wearers only a couple of outings to loosen up this KEEN offering
  • Some owners lauded the incredibly lightweight construction of the Pyrenees.
  • This day hiking boot was considered a stunner by several users in the aesthetics department.
  • The footgear’s grip performance floored about a handful of patrons.
  • An expert applauded the shoe’s astonishingly supportive ankle zone.
  • Its lasting durability enamored a couple of consumers.

2 reasons not to buy

  • The KEEN Pyrenees (women’s) was lambasted by a small number of wearers for its pressure-causing tongue seams.
  • One blogger wasn’t a big fan of the boot’s tongue; she thought that it was too bulky and stiff for her.

Bottom line

It is quite clear that the Pyrenees is a crowd favorite when it comes to comfort. However, it would be a slap in the proverbial face of the boot if its greatness in the waterproofing, weight, and break-in categories is not given due credit.

That said, while this hiker is beautiful to look at, it might not suit those who have a pretty low tolerance to pressure. Nonetheless, the KEEN Pyrenees is still a captivating hiking footgear—one that revels in its glorious qualities despite some unamusing setbacks.

Tip: see the best hiking boots.

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Good to know

The KEEN Pyrenees is a leather hiking boot for day-long outings on lightly to moderately rugged trails. A proprietary technology called KEEN.Dry handles its waterproofing.

With its hardwearing sole unit—a component made up primarily of a compression-molded midsole and a non-marking outsole—this hiking footgear gets to offer its owners a balance between protective comfort and adequate foothold over rugged terrain. Both its heel and forefoot are rockered, smoothening the wearer’s stride on flatter surfaces.

A high-cut day hiking boot for men and women is the Pyrenees from KEEN. This product as claimed by the brand runs a half size small. It comes in standard width. Lengthwise, it is offered in a number of full and half sizes. Fit personalization and security come by means of the footgear’s ghillie lacing.

Giving hikers enough surface traction in the KEEN Pyrenees is the shoe’s non-marking rubber outsole. Its grippy multi-directional lugs (at 4 millimeters deep) form a geometry that bites into loose- or soft-soiled terrain. The space between its grooves and lugs is wide enough, making it adequately capable of shedding mud, debris, and other sticky substances.

The KEEN Pyrenees’ dual-density midsole provides ample cushioning and terrain protection. KEEN engineers made it using ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA for short)—a material known for its resilience and capability to bear considerable weight and stress. It is built hardy yet springy to give adventurers a combination of stability and comfort in their step. An extra component called ESS shank is embedded in its medial section for additional stability and arch support.

Bolstering the midsole’s supply of comfort is the boot’s Metatomical dual-density footbed. It is made of EVA. Apart from added cushioning, this removable insert grants additional rearfoot support, thanks to its cratered construction. It also provides ventilation with its perforated design.

This gear for hikers cradles the foot in its high-top upper made of waterproof nubuck leather. Its seams have double the stitching for improved durability. It has a brand-exclusive liner in the name of KEEN.Dry which gives users sufficient water protection and breathability. At its front end is a heavy-duty toe cap for extra forefoot protection. Securely stitched to its heel, on the other hand, is a pull tab—a feature that makes on and off that much more convenient.

The Pyrenees’ closure system uses metallic eyelets, the top three pairs of which are hook-like by design to expedite lace-ups. Through them is a lace made up of sturdy cords interwoven together.

Keeping this hiker in tip-top shape is necessary to prolong its lifespan. Below are some steps owners can follow to extend its usability:

  • After each use, gently remove debris and loose dirt off the shoe using a soft-bristled brush.
  • In case of minor stains, treatment involves the use of a gum eraser. Rub the affected areas in a circulation motion. Brush away rubbed-off matter.
  • For tougher stains, use a solution that is a mixture of water and a small amount of vinegar. Treat stained areas using a piece of cloth dampened with this mixture. Note that portions of the shoe treated in this process may sustain slight discoloration.

How Pyrenees compares

This shoe: 92
All shoes average: 82
57 96
This shoe: $150
All shoes average: $204
$45 $495
This shoe: 20.2oz
All shoes average: 20.8oz
8.3oz 43oz
Ready to buy? Available from $160
Not sure yet? Overview of all 484 hiking boots
Author
Paul Ronto
Paul Ronto

Paul loves adventure. Over the past 20 years, he has climbed, hiked, and ran all over the world. He’s summited peaks throughout the Americas, trekked through Africa, and tested his endurance in 24-hour trail races. He has worked in the outdoor industry as a whitewater and hunting guide, gear tester, copywriter, and outfitting specialist at places like The National Outdoor Leadership School, No Barriers USA, and Sierra Trading Post. He has been quoted in NYMag, NBCNews, and Business Insider to name a few.

paul@runrepeat.com