Our verdict
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
Who should buy the KEEN Ridge Flex Mid WP
The Ridge Flex Mid WP changes the notion that hiking boots can't be supportive and light at the same time. Buy this bad boy if:
- Your nature wanderings often involve traipsing through three-inch-deep puddles and creeks.
- Extra control on slopey ascents/descents is what you want most out of your trail kicks.
- You've been looking for shoes that make strides easier, especially on uneven terrain.
Who should NOT buy it
If hiking with sweat-free feet is a pretty big deal to you, and you adventure where it's mostly dry or sunny, skip the featured boot for the KEEN Voyageur Mid. Also, you might be better off purchasing the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX—a boot many hikers hail as having a perfect lacing system.
An exemplar of flexibility
The shoes "flex very easily with virtually no resistance," says a professional vlogger. "I absolutely love what KEEN has done with this," says another, praising the hiker's BELLOWS FLEX technology for allowing the shoe to naturally flex.
The Ridge Flex Mid WP's rockstar grip
These boots, according to a gear maven, are "solid on muddy and grassy inclines." Another one said that its outsole gave him "a nice bit of bite" on both sloppy terrain and smooth rock slabs.
Pampers feet on mile zero
An expert strongly believes that comfort is the "KEEN Ridge Flex WP's superpower." Others chime in their praises for the boot in this regard with the following remarks:
- "Easy to feel at home in."
- "The real headline here is comfort."
- "They feel more like high-top sneakers."
KEEN fans with sweaty feet beware
"My feet get overly hot in these" is how a video blogger finds the featured boot in the area of breathability. Doubling down on this sentiment is another professional reviewer who has some spicier words: "there are more breathable boots on the market."
Tank-like minus the bulk
According to a trusted gear journalist, the KEEN Ridge Flex Mid WP "doesn't crack or give out" easily. Apparently, the shoe's BELLOWS FLEX tech not only improves forward momentum but also discourages creasing around the forefoot flex points.
And the best part? Its tank-like construction doesn't translate to heaviness (it's 60 g lighter per pair than the average, after all). Its lightness is also appreciated by experts, with comments such as "they feel like slippers" and "like lightweight trail runners on your feet."
No soaked socks in the KEEN Ridge Flex Mid WP
"These boots held their own" through shallow, muddy waters, says an experienced hiker-slash-tester.
Wanted: Longer shoestrings
Critics aren't impressed with the KEEN Ridge Flex Mid WP's short shoestrings. Hikers who like ending their lace-ups with a double knot might end up being disappointed because of this.
