KEEN has entered new territory (for them) with the brand new Zionic hiking shoe. Just released in July 2023, the KEEN Zionic is a lightweight hiking shoe that anchors the brand's new "Fast Trail" family. This new series targets fast hikers with light packs and the new generation of COVID-era hikers who prefer a lighter shoe that feels more like a more sneaker than a traditional hiking shoe. The Zionic is lighter than the rest of KEEN's hiking line up with a tweaked fit and more athletic profile than other KEENs. Will it fit your feet and match your hiking style? Will it appeal to new hikers? To KEEN traditionalists? Learn more in this KEEN Zionic review.
Testing the KEEN Zionic hiking shoe along Pennsylvania's Mid-State Trail
KEEN Zionic review
Meet KEEN's lightest hiking shoe. The KEEN Zionic is a lightweight hiking shoe that's available in a waterproof or non-waterproof ("Speed") shoe or a mid-cut boot. My KEEN Zionic review gives you an early look at the low-cut KEEN Zionic Waterproof Hiking Shoe, which was released on July 1, 2023. I quickly picked up a pair and put it through the ringer on some of central Pennsylvania's most popular hiking trails. This is my preliminary review of the Zionic's support, weight, fit, comfort, traction, weather proofing, and value.
Support
LIGHT-MODERATRE
The KEEN Zionic offers light to moderate foot support with a lightweight build backed by full-length stability plate that gives the shoe some backbone. It still flexes fairly easily underfoot, but it's not a simple sneaker. It's a technical hiking shoe. Even though the Zionic has less support than a traditinal hiking shoe, my feet and ankles have been fine on trails with plenty of rocks and roots. Overall though, the shoe feels most at home on singletrack mountain bike trails, fitness trails, and forest service roads—well maintained trails that I can hike at 3-3.5 mph. The Zionic is less about support and more about weight savings.
Weight
LIGHTWEIGHT
Weighing less than two pounds per pair (men's size 12), the KEEN Zionic qualities as a lightweight hiking shoe. It's clearly made for hikers (not runners) but weighs the same as some of the sturdier trail running shoes, such as the Salomon XA Pro and La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II. That makes the Zionic a strong choice for fast-and-light hikers who prefer a lightweight hiking shoe—especially if they prefer a one with a roomier fit with a wide toe box.
Athletic KEEN.FIT is streamlined yet wide in the forefoot/toes
Fit
BEST FOR WIDE FEET
The KEEN Zionic fits true to size with a roomy fit and wide toe box. Most hikers should size up 1/2 size from their everyday shoe size for the best fit. I need wides in most brands, but KEEN's regular size 12 fits my moderately wide feet well. Like most KEENs, the Zionic runs wide. However, it features the brand's new "Athletic" KEEN.FIT—with a more streamlined profile for athletic performance.
My main fitting issue is that my feet slide forward on steep descents (like they do in the Altra Lone Peak). (I also get a pressure point where the webbing of the waterproof membrane bunches against a bone on the inside of my right foot—which is probably deo to my messed up physiology.) Overall, though, that roomy fit is a plus for me on mild to moderate terrain.
Comfort
POTENTIAL PLUS
Comfort has a lot to do with fit, hiking style, and people's personal preferences. Hikers with wider feet (like me) typically like KEEN's contoured fit, and casual hikers and fast-packers will probably find this shoe's lightweight build comfortable. For better or worse, it wears more like a sneaker than a traditional hiking shoe. Its soles may be thinner than KEEN's best-selling Targhee, but it's still fairly cushy underfoot. The roomy forefoot and toe box pair well with my moderately wide feet. However, I get a pressure point on the inside of my right foot/ ankle where the waterproof membrane bunches up—one of those quirks where it just hits me wrong (but might hit others' feet just fine).
If you're specifically after a lightweight KEEN—or more generally want a lightweight hiking shoe with a roomy fit— you'll probably find the KEEN Zionic comfortable.
Traction
MODERATE
KEEN opted for a proprietary outsole with a series of shallow lugs in the shape of parallel ovals. Those lugs have seemed sufficiently grippy on rocks—with enough surface area to generate some friction—but don't have a ton of bite. That tread seems best suited for mild to moderate trails. Even so, I've had no traction issues when I've worn the KEEN Zionic on some steeper trails. Overall, this seems like safe, multi-terrain tread that should be fine on most surfaces without standing out on any of them.
Weather Protection
AVERAGE
Hikers can choose between the waterproof Zionic or the non-waterproof Zionic "Speed." The KEEN Zionic Waterproof Hiking Shoe features TPU Overlays on the outside and a KEEN.Dry membrane on the inside for waterproofing. My feet have stayed relatively dry walking through puddles and wet ferns along Pennsylvania's Allegheny Front Trail and Mid-State Trail. At the same time, KEEN's waterproof membrane gets mixed reviews, so it's hard gauging waterproofing after 8-10 day hikes. For what it's worth, my pair did pass the standing-in-water test without any obvious leaks. Also, the breathability has been better than expected on my test hikes, which have taken place on humid days with temps in the mid 80s.
Value
AVERAGE
The new KEEN Zionic Waterproof hiking shoe costs $160 (MSRP) with the non-waterproof Zionic Speed starting at $145. That's above the budget price point and more in line with the best hiking shoes. For a more specific comp, the KEEN Zionic costs $30 less than the Danner Trail 2650 GTX—a lightweight hiking shoe with a similar build. However, the Trail 2650 weighs 6 ounces less than the Zionic, adds premium (GORE-TEX) waterproofing and (Vibram) outsoles, and has a stronger reputation for durability. Overall, the price seems consistent with the market, given the past few years' price increases.
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KEEN Zionic Waterproof Hiking Shoe: Pros vs. Cons
In my preliminary KEEN Zionic review, the pros outnumber the cons. Still, the KEEN Zionic is more of a niche hiking shoe for fast-and-light hikers than an all-purpose hiking shoe. So it's extra important to consider the shoe's specific pros and cons:
Verdict: Is the KEEN Zionic a good hiking shoe?
The KEEN Zionic may be a good hiking shoe for men and women who want a lightweight hiking shoe with a roomy fit and wide toe box. KEEN's lightest hiking shoe is a better fit for wider feet and a better match for faster hikers on well maintained trails or casual hikers who prefer a more sneaker-like feel to a more traditional hiking shoe. The Zionic should be popular with dog walkers—and I also like it as a travel shoe.
Should you buy the KEEN Zionic?
The best hiking shoe for YOU is the one that best fits YOUR feet and best matches YOUR hikes.
That's why this KEEN Zionic review has dug into the Zionic's support, weight, fit, comfort, traction, waterproofing, and value. I'll continue to update this review as my miles pile up in KEEN's newest hiking shoe. Based on this preliminary review, the KEEN Zionic seems to be a better option for hikers with wide feet and for those who are more concerned about weight savings than price or support.
Are you feeling KEEN's newest hiking shoe? If so, you can find it for sale right now at the KEEN website and a few online retailers. Once it's available at Backcountry or REI, I'll add links above to help you browse available sizes and colors. (Personally, I think the Scarlet Ibis/Deep Lagoon color looks sick, but you have other options if you prefer more muted colors than me.) If you pull the trigger on these, please let us know what you think in the comments below.
Happy Hiking!
