KEEN Hiking Boots and Shoes: How Good are They?

Many hikers are quick to recommend KEEN hiking boots and hiking shoes in Reddit or Facebook hiking groups. Plus, the brand has garnered votes for "best value" or "best budget hiking boots"— but its prices have since shot above the budget price point. 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 became a KEEN brand expert 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 which KEEN boots and shoes hikers might covet. 

KEEN Brand Review

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, most KEEN hiking boots and shoes cost $50 more today than they did five years ago. It's a good brand. But now that KEEN costs as much as Salomon and other premium brands, it has stiffer competition in the hike category. 

I've personally hiked at least 1000 miles in KEEN footwear. Overall, KEEN may be a good brand for the average day hiker and for hikers with wide feet. But serious hikers may need sturdier hiking boots and shoes.

I like KEEN's comfort and roomy fit—and wear the brand's casual shoes and sandals all the time. However, I stopped hiking in them years ago (apart from reviews) because they wore out faster than premium brands on the moderate to difficult trails that I hike. In my experience, more difficult trails expose limitations in KEEN's durability and support.

As long as you mostly stick to moderate terrain and don't hike mega-miles, though, KEEN hiking boots and shoes are good enough if they fit you well. As an outdoor industry pro, I rate KEEN a good brand for hikers—not a top brand—for hikers. 

Best KEEN Hiking Boots

KEEN TARGHEE IV MID

Best KEEN Hiking Boot for Day Hikers

Since 2005, the Targhee Mid has been KEEN's best hiking boot, 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.

KEEN DURAND II

Best KEEN Hiking & Backpacking Boot

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 a hiking boot I 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.

Best KEEN Hiking Shoes

KEEN ROAM

Best KEEN Hiking Shoe

KEEN's best hiking shoe isn't a hiking shoe. It's the new KEEN Roam trail running shoe. New in 2025, the Roam offers hikers a nice blend of support, weight savings, and comfort. For me, the Roam edges KEEN's best selling hiking shoe—the Targhee IV low—because it's lighter, more athletic, and comfortable. I've been wearing mine for fast-moving hikes in the desert wash behind my home and some moderate, mid-week hikes. Thanks to the Roam, I'm actually hiking in KEEN for the first time in 12-13 years. 

KEEN NEWPORT H2

Best KEEN Hiking Sandal

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. 

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.

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. 

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 for checking out my KEEN brand review—and for supporting Hiking Feet.