Many hikers are quick to recommend KEEN hiking boots and hiking shoes in Reddit or Facebook hiking groups. The brand has also garnered votes for "best value" or "best budget hiking boots"— but that was before jacking up their prices over the past few years. I've personally owned at least ten pairs of KEEN shoes, sandals, and hiking boots since my doctor more or less prescribed them to me in 2005. On top of that, I sold a ton of them when I worked at Backcountry and managed footwear at Appalachian Outdoors. My KEEN brand review lets you know if it's a good brand for hikers—or not—and recommends the best KEEN hiking boots and hiking shoes.
KEEN Brand Review
hiking Havasupai Canyon in KEEN Newport sandals
Based in Portland, Oregon, KEEN has grown rapidly since its inception in 2003. The brand built its reputation on sandals before breaking through with its casual shoes, work boots, and hiking footwear. It's not only based in the United States but one of the rare companies that actually manufactures (some of) its footwear in the USA (as well as in Asia and Mexico).
KEEN used to be my go-to brand recommendation for budget-oriented hikers. However, KEEN's prices have shot up $40-50 the past few years, pricing them above the budget price point. It's a good brand. But now that KEEN hiking boots and shoes cost as much as Salomons and other premium brands, they have stiffer competition.
Why buy KEEN hiking boots/shoes?
Based on my personal and professional experience, KEEN hiking boots and shoes have several selling points that can give them an edge over other top brands:
Wide Toe Boxes
If KEEN has a special feature, it's the brand's roomy toe boxes. KEEN was one of the first brands to recognize that most people need more room in the toes. The brand's wide toe boxes and protective toe caps provide necessary wiggle room for your toes and extra protection against jammed toes, broken toes, and lost toe nails.
my wife in KEEN hiking boots on a Colorado day hike
Comfort
Many men and women love the feel of KEEN hiking boots and shoes. The EVA foam feels cushy underfoot, and the roomy fit doesn't pinch people's feet or crimp their toes. The average hiker usually finds them uber-comfortable.
Good Fit for Wide Feet
Overall, KEEN may be the best brand for hikers with wide feet. Those wide toe boxes work for a lot of men and women. Plus, KEEN offers its best-sellers in wide sizes, too.
Overall, KEEN may be a good brand for the average day hiker and for hikers with wide feet. KEEN hiking boots and hiking shoes should hold their own on typical trails. However, more difficult trails may expose the brand's limitations in durability and support. I still wear KEEN shoes and sandals casually—and love them—but I stopped hiking in the brand several years ago. Each KEEN hiking boot and hiking shoe that I've owned felt great, but they wore out quicker than other brands—a big deal, for me, since I hike 1200-1400 miles every year. As long as you mostly stick to moderate terrain and don't hike mega-miles, however, KEEN hiking boots and shoes could be a solid buy as long as they fit you well.
Best KEEN Hiking Boots
KEEN TARGHEE IV MID
Best KEEN Hiking Boot for Day Hikers
Main Benefits:
Since 2005, the Targhee Mid has been one of KEEN's best sellers, thanks to its moderate price and out-of-the-box comfort. Targhees have plenty of soft EVA foam, making them a cushy option for hikers. This boot's soft, nubuck leather uppers break in quickly and provide (a little) more ankle protection than the shoe-cut Targhee Low (see below). Overall, though, Targhees don't have the best ankle support, waterproofing, or durability. Still, the average hiker may find plenty to like about the Targhee Mid. I love its wide toe box, which protects your toes and lets them splay out naturally on the trail. Its price has also dropped slightly for 2025, making it a better buy than it's been the past couple of years.
Men's KEEN Targhee IV Mid
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Women's KEEN Targhee IV Mid
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KEEN DURAND II
Best KEEN Hiking & Backpacking Boot
Main Benefits:
Targhees may be KEEN's best sellers, but the Durand II is a technically a better hiking boot. It's beefier and more supportive, making it a better option for harder hikes and heavier hikers. Personally, I prefer other mid-weight hiking boots at this price, but the Durand is KEEN's most supportive and durable hiking boot. Plus, the Durand II Wide (linked below) is my go-to recommendation for hikers with really wide feet—this is the boot I usually recommend to hikers who struggle fitting into other brands' wides. As a bonus, the Durand II is only KEEN hiking boot that's made in the USA.
Men's KEEN Durand II
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Women's KEEN Durand II
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Best KEEN Hiking Shoes
KEEN TARGHEE IV LOW
Best KEEN Hiking Shoe
Main Benefits:
Updated in 2024, the low-cut Targhee IV is a comfortable hiking shoe with average support, plenty of cushioning, and extra room in the toe box. This waterproof hiking shoe provides limited ankle protection but good foot protection, thanks to its mid-foot shank, nubuck leather uppers, and KEEN's signature toe bumper. It's also comfortable enough to wear everyday if you're looking for a trail to town shoe. Overall, the Targhee is a good hiking shoe for the average day hiker and a comfortable "trail to town" shoe that you can wear for hiking, work, and play.
Men's KEEN Targhee IV Low
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Women's KEEN Targhee IV Low
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KEEN NEWPORT H2
Best KEEN Hiking Sandal
Main Benefits:
KEEN started out in sandals, so it's no surprise that its Newport H2 sandal is one of the best hiking sandals out there. I've continuously owned this perennial best seller since 2005—wearing it casually, paddling in it, and hiking it it. This closed-toe sandal protects toes from rocks and roots and offers plenty of foot support if you want to rack up some miles. I like the KEEN Newport H2 for hikes with plenty of water crossings. Plus, it's a capable sandal for trails with a little bit of scrambling. This sandal is an oldie-but-goodie that should be on hikers' radars if they want to scale back to a sandal to keep their feet cooler and drier on the trail. Each of my Newport sandals has lasted years and years of mixed use on land and in the water.
Men's Newport H2 Sandal
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Women's Newport H2 Sandal
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KEEN hiking boots & shoes: Pros vs Cons
Here are the main Pros and Cons of KEEN hiking boots and hiking shoes:
Overall recommendations:
Overall, KEEN is great brand for sport sandals, comfortable work boots, and performance casual shoes—and a pretty good brand for hiking boots and hiking shoes. Hikers and backpackers should target other recommended brands if they prefer lightweight hiking footwear or more durable and supportive hiking boots. That being said, it's a good brand for the average day hiker and also a good brand for wide toe boxes and wide sizes
best fit
hikers with wide feet
fans of wide toe boxes
best match
day hikers,
casual hikers
Should you buy KEEN hiking boots/shoes?
I hope my brand review helped you decide if KEEN might be a good fit for your feet, your budget, and your hikes. I no longer hike in KEEN, but I still wear their casual shoes and sandals for their comfort and support. At the same time, KEEN may be a comfortable choice for day hikers who need a wider fit and mostly hike easy to moderate trails.
That's plenty of hikers, so it's no surprise that KEEN is such a popular brand.
Are you keen to try KEEN hiking boots or shoes? If so, please consider purchasing them through the affiliate links above. Hiking Feet may receive a small commission from the retailer (which costs you nothing) if you click on a link and make a purchase. That gives me a few bucks back for the hundreds of unpaid hours I've devoted to writing free content to help you find the hiking footwear that works best for your feet, your budget, and your hikes. Thanks in advance if you hook me up!
If you're not feeling KEEN, please check out my brand recommendations, the Hiking Feet brand reviews, or my short lists of the best hiking boots, best hiking shoes, and best trail running shoes for hiking. These resources should help you narrow your search and find the best brand(s) for you—whether that's KEEN or another brand.
Happy hiking!
