7 Best KEEN Hiking Boots in 2023

Paul Ronto
Paul Ronto on
7 Best KEEN Hiking Boots in 2023
We earn affiliate commissions at no extra cost to you when you buy through us. Why trust us

KEEN—this footwear company needs no introduction! Makers of amazing outdoors kicks, particularly sandals, this brand puts out incredible hiking boots that go against the current design-wise.

We’ve tested over 20 KEEN hiking boots to come up with our top picks. This is the place to be, whether you’re looking for the lightest pair, a boot that crushes miles in the cold, or a KEEN hiker that inspires confidence in every area.

How we test hiking boots

We at RunRepeat delight in serving honest and objective reviews on the best KEEN hiking boots. Here is how we do what we do:

  • Trail boots from KEEN aren’t always cheap. That said, we buy all of them using our own money to give ourselves the freedom to create insightful and unbiased reviews.
  • Every KEEN boot we test thoroughly. We hike in each pair to gauge its best qualities and to determine the category under which it excels the most.
  • We reflect opinions from hundreds of gear experts and regular users in our comprehensive reviews.

The fruit of all that yields what we call the CoreScore. We use this system to help us determine the cream of the crop from KEEN.

Best KEEN hiking boots overall

KEEN Pyrenees
91
Superb!

What makes it the best?

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.

Pros

  • Lavish level of comfort
  • Waterproof
  • Lightweight
  • Excellent grip
  • Astonishingly ankle support
  • Long-lasting durability

Cons

  • Pressure-causing tongue seams
  • Too bulky and stiff
Full review of KEEN Pyrenees

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Dark Olive Forest Night (1026011)
Brown (1004156)
Black Iris Fossil Orange (1026010)
Drizzle/Black Iris (1024654)
Black Legion Blue (1026585)

Best lightweight KEEN hiking boots

What makes it the best?

Individuals searching for a comfy hiking boot that is both lightweight and waterproof may find the KEEN Targhee II Mid as an interesting choice. It also receives appreciation for its comfortable feel and surface traction.

Pros

  • Insanely comfortable hiking boot
  • Lightweight
  • Waterproof
  • Grippy outsole
  • Short break-in period
  • Excellent arch support

Cons

  • Nondurable outsole
  • Lack of ventilation
  • Lack of ankle support
Full review of KEEN Targhee II Mid

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Shitake Brindle (1008418)
Brown (1002375)
Steel Grey/Magnet (1026584)
Safari/Red Carpet (1027138)
Shitake Brindle (1012126)

Best KEEN wide toe box hiking boots

What makes it the best?

From "a bomber boot" to "ticks all the right boxes"—these are the comments that give the Ridge Flex Mid WP such a stellar reputation among professional critics. "A real mile-cruncher" (as another reviewer puts it), this hiker from KEEN delivers fluid-yet-surefooted movements on multi-surface terrain. There's also its weatherproof construction and a gusseted tongue that fence out wetness like champs.

Pros

  • Remarkably flexible
  • Sticky on various surfaces
  • Wow-level comfort
  • No break-in period required
  • Lightweight
  • Quite tough
  • Watertight
  • Great ankle support

Cons

  • Not the most breathable
  • Not enough room for lacing creativity
Full review of KEEN Ridge Flex Mid WP

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Steel Grey Fossil Orange (1026083)
Dark Olive Ketchup (1024914)
Magnet Black (1024911)
Steel Grey/Evening Primrose (1024912)
bison/golden brown (1025666)
Capulet Olive/Desert Sun (1025484)

Best KEEN waterproof hiking boots

What makes it the best?

If zooming past your friends on snowy trails is your thing, then the Revel IV Mid Polar is for you. Keeping adventurer’s tootsies cozy, this homey KEEN offering will warm both your heart and feet as you outwit the biting cold outdoors. Skipping hikes in the winter is no longer an option! However, some were dissatisfied with its lack of support in the midfoot section.

Pros

  • Excellent insulation
  • Immensely comfortable
  • Waterproof
  • Superb water protection
  • Grippy performance
  • Lightweight
  • Fast break-in

Cons

  • Loose heel
  • Not particularly supportive
Full review of KEEN Revel IV Mid Polar

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Dark Earth/Caramel Cafe (1024136)
Blue Nights/Magnet (1026600)
Black/Magnet (1023618)
black/magnet (1023891)
Steel Grey Magnet (1025454)

Best KEEN day hiking boots

What makes it the best?

Dubbed by KEEN as among their warmest boots, the Revel IV High Polar keeps frostbites several miles at bay as you mow down miles upon miles on the trail. Reviewers' feet are also grateful for the superb traction on ice in this comfy winter-specific pair. As it conforms to your feet, which happens almost instantly, leveled-up hikes in cold conditions are quite guaranteed!

Pros

  • Thermal wonder
  • Day-one comfort
  • Supportive
  • Waterproof
  • Sticky
  • Light

Cons

  • Cramped
  • Lacing issues
Full review of KEEN Revel IV High Polar

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
magnet/red carpet (1023621)
Canteen/Black (1023619)

Best value

What makes it the best?

The KEEN Targhee III Waterproof Mid was complimented for delivering immediate comfort and for having a tacky outsole and warm interior. However, it still was not able to evade criticisms. Overall it can be said that the KEEN Targhee III Waterproof Mid is an affordable hiker that can please beginners and seasoned hikers alike in their on-trail adventures. Its questionable durability, however, is something that might make potential buyers take a step back.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Excellent ankle support
  • Offers comfortable feel
  • Flexible
  • Budget-friendly price
  • Laudable warmth
  • Excellent grip on various terrain
  • Short to zero break-in period
  • Commendable toe cap

Cons

  • Unsatisfactory waterproofing
  • Lack of breathability
  • Restrictive fit
  • Poor quality
Full review of KEEN Targhee III Waterproof Mid

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Green (1017787)
Bungee Cord/Black (1017786)
Chestnut/Mulch (1023030)
Drizzle Captains Blue (1026862)
Green (1026861)
Drizzle Keen Yellow (1025164)
Brown (1018596)
Brown (1018570)
Canteen Mulch (1020178)

Comparison of the 7 best KEEN hiking boots

+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
Best
CoreScore
Users rating
Experts
Best price
Ranking
Popularity
# of colorways
Author
Paul Ronto
Paul Ronto

Over the past 20 years, Paul has climbed, hiked, and run all over the world. He has summited peaks throughout the Americas, trekked through Africa, and tested his endurance in 24-hour trail races as well as 6 marathons. On average, he runs 30-50 miles a week in the foothills of Northern Colorado. His research is regularly cited in The New York Times, Washington Post, National Geographic, etc. On top of this, Paul is leading the running shoe lab where he cuts shoes apart and analyzes every detail of the shoes that you might buy.