Keen Venture Mid Leather WP

Keen Venture Mid Leather Waterproof: World-class lightweight hiking boots

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Bottom line upfront, these are an excellent pair of boots that I believe are worthy of nearly any terrain. Keen put a premium price tag on the Venture Mids for a reason, and it’s because these boots provide anything you would need from hiking footwear.

They are durable, comfortable, breathable, stable, waterproof, and extremely lightweight. I could say nice things about them all day, but let’s get into the details.

Fit & comfort

The Venture Mids are equipped with a soft yet supportive interior that provides the right amount of snugness around the foot. Extra padding is provided at the heel to provide a cushioned step that feels great even on the bumpiest of terrains.

For running shoes, I wear extra wide, but these boots were standard width, and I always felt like my feet had plenty of room—no cramping or pinching.

The tongue is well-padded, and overall, my feet always felt comfortable and secure. Even after full-day hikes, my feet were happy and without complaints.

Stability, grip & durability

I grouped these three categories into one section because I consider them crucial features of a good hiking shoe. They constitute not only a comfortable hiking experience but also a much safer one.

Regarding stability, the Venture Mids fared well even when the terrain was uneven and jagged. The firm ankle support, combined with the fact that the boots’ leather is tough and firm on the outside, made it such that I could step with confidence even when the ground was uneven.

Whether scaling large stones on a rock scramble or changing direction on a winding path, I always felt in control and balance while wearing the Venture Mids.

As for the durability, the boots hold up extremely well. Even after miles and miles of scraping and marching through all that nature has to offer, the boots showed no early signs of breakage.

Although wear and tear eventually revealed itself on the toe area, the rubber on the bottom of the boots still looked unfazed even after miles and miles. These boots showed that they could go the distance.

With a myriad of intricate rubber treads built onto the bottom of the shoe, the Venture mids provided a great grip even on wet surfaces. Even after many hikes, this traction has not shown notable signs of deterioration, and I have been incredibly pleased about that.

Protection

Because of the thick rubber bottoms and firm leather outer of the Venture Mids, the boots provide very effective protection against rough and sharp terrains.

Toe stubbing and heel soreness on downhills are usual suspects on long hikes. Still, I felt that these boots effectively safeguarded me from all of these common threats better than any hiking footwear I had ever worn previously.

In short, my feet always felt safe from harm during my hikes.

Lightness & swiftness

Despite all the above praise, I have already given these boots; I think what truly takes them to the next level is how light and nimble they are. At just around 2 pounds, these pair of boots felt like feathers in comparison to any others that I have worn.

When combined with the good traction, stability, and protection, this lightness allowed me to comfortably clear hikes at really fast paces. In fact, on some trails, I flat out ran while earing these boots and felt great.

I also felt that the rounded heel design allowed me to stride more naturally and fluidly, further contributing to the quickness I experienced in the Venture Mids. I was and am truly in love with how light and sleek these hiking boots are.

Furthermore, in the past, I’ve tested hiking boots that were specifically designed to be minimalist and lightweight. While they did end up being very light, they never provided the protection or padding to perform at a reliable standard during real hikes.

That has not been the case with the Venture Mids. They are sturdy and light.

Waterproofing

Whether you’re stepping in slippery mud, crossing shallow streams, or stepping through puddles, the technology built into these boots will keep your feet totally dry.

Conclusion

The Venture Mids are the best pair of hiking boots I have ever worn. They are sleek and were designed for day hikes, and in my opinion, are worthy of even prolonged hiking trips in various conditions.

In the heat, they will keep your feet breathable, and in the cold, they are capable of keeping your feet warm (provided a good pair of hiking socks).

Because they are so light and provide such great traction, I felt I could move quickly in them all day without feeling tired or clumsy.

Transitioning to the Venture Mids after wearing my previous, heavier hiking boots felt like switching from driving an old car to driving a new sports car. A cheesy analogy, but one that I feel does the boots justice.

I would seriously recommend this pair to anyone serious about hiking. They are on the pricier end, but when it comes to hiking, footwear is one of the most important (if not the single most important) piece of equipment to keep in mind.

These boots are comfortable, but beyond that, they are also designed to keep wearers safe. The only reason I did not give the boots a perfect score is that the laces are a bit difficult to tie and tighten because they are so thick and round.

I also have to double-knot them, or else they will quickly become untied. Otherwise, the Venture Mids is a superb, lightweight pair of high-quality hiking boots that delivers in every crucial category.

Keen Venture Mid Leather WP - A reliable boot for your next rainy adventure

If you’re looking for a waterproof hiking boot with added foot protection and insulation from an all-leather upper, but still want some flexibility and a comfortable fit, then the Keen Venture Mid Leather Waterproof is a solid choice.

This leather version is a little a bit heavier than the mesh upper version of the boot. Thanks to some interesting design elements from Keen, it doesn’t have any of the problems endemic in many other leather uppers (stiffness, lack of breathability, weight).

In-depth review, from top to bottom

To really take this hiking boot through its paces and test its durability, comfort, waterproofing, and grip, I took it out in the mountains through some wet, rainy conditions with plenty of muddy stream crossings.

Here are my detailed experiences from top to bottom. Based on these hikes and experiences with other hiking boots, further below, you can find my thoughts on how the Keen Venture Leather competes with other boots.

Upper

The upper on the Venture is extremely comfortable. I’m usually pretty wary of all leather uppers. They don’t tend to breathe as well, are less flexible, and are more constrictive than partial leather or all mesh uppers.

Yet, the Venture’s leather upper was a pleasant surprise. Keen added what initially look like purely aesthetic angle vertical slits along the mid and forefoot of the upper that actually function as flex grooves to allow the upper to bend smoothly with the foot’s natural movements.

Where most leather uppers would crease and create uncomfortable pressure on the foot, this boot’s upper bends smoothly. The mid-length ankle protection also has impressive flexibility, never feeling constrictive or putting pressure on the Achilles tendon or malleolus.

The leather on the Venture’s upper is well insulated and perfectly waterproofed. It also feels pretty breathable in dry, warmer conditions.

I’ve used treated leather boots in the past that claim to be fully waterproof (and are fresh out of the box), but after a short period of wear, the leather starts to lose its waterproofing and gets a bit saturated in the rain.

Not so with the Venture: after miles of wear, the leather kept its waterproofing throughout long hikes in ankle-deep stream crossings with the rain coming down.

A few other details that made for a terrific upper are Keen’s choice of metal eyelets that effectively secure the boot’s laces while adding durability. Aside from that, the use of lightweight metal chording that wraps along the silhouette of the hindfoot to provide a secure lock around the heel.

Midsole

The midsole of the Venture is just the right amount of cushioning. Not too much so you don’t feel like you’re squishing into a sponge while wearing a weighted pack like you do in more maximalist cushioned boots and not too little, so your feet and joints are kept comfortable over long, multi-day hikes.

The midsole’s shape works well with the flex grooves on the upper to allow a good amount of natural movement in the forefoot and encouraging a smooth heel-toe transition while hiking.

This is a welcome and uncommon achievement in a hiking boot. Boots often end up pretty stiff and cause a clunky heel-toe transition as if there’s a wooden board tied to the bottom of your feet.

My one critique on the midsole is more of a point of personal preference. The midsole is a pretty firm foam and offers little-to-no ground feel.

Some hikers like this firmer feeling where it gives the sensation of being more protective and stable. However, I personally like slightly softer, thinner midsoles where you can still feel a bit of the ground underfoot, like the more minimal midsoles on Inov-8 hiking boots like the Roclite G series (see Competition section below).

That said, this is all personal preference, so depending on your tastes, this may be a plus for the Keen, not a minus.

Outsole

The outsole on the Venture is excellent. I found it was grippy on a wide range of wet and dry surfaces, and especially effective on dirt and mud; conditions that will likely make up most of the hiking trails you’ll be on.

The only situation that caused issues was wet, smooth surfaces like rain-soaked logs or water-polished rocks along streams. Choosing an outsole rubber for a boot is tricky.

There’s an inevitable tradeoff between durability from a harder rubber versus grip from a softer rubber. It seems that Keen opted for a very firm, hard outsole rubber to ensure lots of durability, even if this meant sacrificing a little bit of tacky grip on wet, smooth surfaces that could have been provided by a softer outsole rubber.

I’m perfectly fine with this decision. If I’m investing in a high-end hiking boot that I plan to do lots of rough miles in, I’m willing to spend a couple of extra seconds to find secure footing during the occasional stream crossing if it means not having to worry about the outsole wearing out prematurely.

The long-term outsole durability is apparent in the Venture: 50+ miles of rough hiking, and the outsole has shown virtually no signs of wear.

The competition

One competitor is the same Keen Venture boot but with a mesh upper. Readers might be wondering if having the added protection and insulation from a leather upper is a good idea given the tendency of all leather uppers to be more constrictive, less breathable, and heavier than partial leather or all mesh uppers.

In the Venture Leather boot, none of these concerns were major issues. The grooves on the upper’s leather made it flexible, and the boot still feels fairly lightweight and breathable. I definitely felt more protected by the leather than I do hiking around in mesh.

Another set of competing boots are the numerous all leather mid-height options on the market at a slightly lower price point like the Merrell Reflex Waterproof All-Leather Midhiking boot (at $120, versus the Venture’s $190).

In my opinion, the higher price point of the Keen Venture is worth the investment. After 50+ miles of hiking, it has given almost no signs of wear and tear.

While less expensive, Merrells that I’ve used in the past were fairly durable, but soon lost their waterproofing and secure fit as the uppers wore through and stretched out.

I’ve been really impressed with the Venture’s durability and would say that if you think about the decision in terms of dollars per mile of use, the investment will almost certainly pay for itself over time.

The fit of the boot may be one major advantage that the Keen Venture has over similar competitors if you like a boot with a more accommodating forefoot. I found the Venture had a nice secure midfoot and heel but also offered a bit more room in the toe box than many other hiking boots.

I believe it will accommodate a wide range of foot shapes. By contrast, I’ve found Merrell boots tend to have a slightly snugger toe box and fit a narrower range of foot shapes.

Similarly, competitors from Salomon like the Quest 4D 3 GTX and X Ultra 3 Mid GTX also feel a bit snugger in the forefoot around the metatarsals than the Keen. So, if you have a bit wider foot or just like feeling your toes being able to splay out while hiking, the Keen may be a preferable option.

On the other hand, the outsole grip and lack of ground feel of the Keen Venture may be variables that push you to choose other boots. While overall, the outsole on the Keen Venture is excellent, I did find myself slipping on smooth, wet surfaces.

I’ve found outsoles from Inov-8 (like the Roclite G series), and Salomon like the Contagrip pattern found on most of their trail shoes and boots outperformed the Venture in terms of grip on smooth, wet surfaces.

In the midsole, I found that the Keen’s dense foam separates you completely from the ground, while Inov-8 and Salomon boots have good protection but also softer foams that give more feel for terrain underfoot. So, if traction and ground feel are critical variables, these options may be preferable.

Conclusion

The Keen Venture Mid Leather Waterproof is an impressive hiking boot. For an all-leather upper, it is remarkably pliable, breathable, form-fitting, and lightweight.

The outsole is excellent too and extremely durable, only lacking in grip on smooth, wet surfaces. If you’re willing to invest in a reliable and comfortable hiking boot for adventures in wet conditions, then the Venture is a solid option.