With so many KEEN hiking shoes on the market, it's tough to know which one to buy. I can help. I have 20 years of personal experience wearing KEEN shoes and sandals, and I've tested and reviewed six KEEN hiking shoes and two KEEN trail running shoes. This short guide to KEEN hiking shoes will help you choose between the KEEN Targhee, Voyageur, Targhee Apex, Zionic, Hightrail, Roam, Seek, and Versacore Speed.
Testing the KEEN Targhee Apex hiking shoe in 2026
This post includes affiliate links. Hiking Feet may receive a small commission if you click on a link and make a qualifying purchase. That's free for you—and gives you an easy way to support Hiking Feet's free and independent content.
2026 GUIDE TO KEEN HIKING SHOES
In 2026, KEEN makes six hiking shoes for men and women. Generally speaking, each of these shoes (1) has a wider than average fit and (2) favors casual to average day hikers (not hardcore hikers or backpackers). That said, KEEN designed each of these shoes for slightly different uses:
- Best for Day Hikes: KEEN Targhee IV, KEEN Voyageur
- Best for Light Hikes: KEEN Zionic, KEEN Targhee Apex
- Best for Casual Hikes/Outdoor Lifestyle: KEEN Hightrail, KEEN Versacore
TRADITIONAL KEEN HIKING SHOE
KEEN Targhee IV
A long-time best seller, the Targhee IV is the traditional KEEN hiking shoe. With thick soles, leather uppers, KEEN.Dry waterproofing, and a wide to box, this is the most supportive and protective KEEN hiking shoe. Based on the two pairs I've owned, the Targhee handles moderate to difficult trails better than other KEEN hiking shoes—while still being comfortable enough for easier trails, too. The trade off is it's heavier than the average hiking shoe. I've owned two paris of Targhees. This is the best KEEN hiking shoe for hikers who care more about support than weight savings. It's the classic KEEN hiking shoe for the average day hiker.
NON-WATERPROOF KEEN HIKING SHOE
KEEN Voyageur
The KEEN Voyageur is similar to the flagship Targhee—except it's not waterproof and less expensive. If you don't hike in bad weather, you can save a lot of money with the good old Voyageur (the shoe version of KEEN's classic Newport H2 sandal). I like its protective toe cap, roomy fit, wide toe box, and added ventilation for summer hikes or desert hiking. With KEEN's prices skyrocketing the past five years, the Voyageur also stands out as a budget buy.
LIGHTWEIGHT KEEN HIKING SHOE WITH CONTOURED FIT
KEEN Zionic NXT
If you're not a fan of KEEN's roomy toe boxes, the Zionic NXT is a lightweight hiking shoe that's not quite as wide as most KEENs. I tested the Zionic when it first came out in 2023. It's significantly lighter and more athletic than the old school Targhee IV (above) with a light stability plate that provides more foot and ankle support than the Targhee Apex (below). KEEN recommends the Zionic for fast hikers with light packs, but I prefer the Roam trail running shoe (below) for that use.
LIGHTWEIGHT KEEN HIKING SHOE
KEEN Targhee Apex
New for 2026, the Targhee Apex is a lightweight, more casual version of the Targhee. I've hiked 50 miles in the Apex. It's well cushioned with flexible soles and extra room in the toes. For better or worse, it wears more like a casual sneaker than a technical hiking shoe. I pulled off some steep and rocky trails in mine, but KEEN designed the Targhee Apex for fast hikes on groomed trails. If you're a fast day hiker or a comfort-oriented hiker who prefers a light and cushy shoe, the KEEN Targhee Apex might be the KEEN for you.
CASUAL KEEN HIKING SHOE
KEEN Hightrail
The KEEN Hightrail is a casual hiking shoe that emphasizes comfort over performance. It targets a new generation of hiker who prefers the look and feel of a more casual sneaker. The downside is the Hightrail lacks the traction, support, and durability of a traditional hiking shoe. If you're looking for a cushy hiking sneaker for easy trails, dog walks, and vacations, you might like the Hightrail.
VERSATILE OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE SHOE
KEEN Versacore Speed
As its name suggests, the KEEN Versacore emphasizes versatility—it's more of a casual trail-to-town shoe than a true hiking shoe. I've hiked some easy to moderate trails in mine. But, for me, the KEEN Versacore is more appropriate for urban trails, dog walks, travel, and working from home. This is a light, cushy, and well-ventilated shoe for those who wear outdoor shoes as everyday shoes.
HIKING IN KEEN TRAIL RUNNING SHOES
Since 2025, hikers have a new option from KEEN: trail running shoes! The brand hadn't made trail runners since the late 2000s but has released three trail running shoes in the past year: the Seek, Roam, and Wander.
Obviously, these shoes are made for running, not hiking. But I can see men and women hiking in all three of KEEN's new trail running shoes—especially the Roam. The Seek and Roam have plenty of cushioning and a moderate (6mm) heel-to-toe drop (compared to the 12-15mm drop of the hiking shoes above).
Testing the KEEN Seek trail running shoe in New Mexico's Sandia Mountains
BEST KEEN TRAIL RUNNING SHOE FOR HIKERS
KEEN ROAM
My favorite KEEN hiking shoe isn't a hiking shoe—it's the Roam trail running shoe. I've found the KEEN Roam more supportive and performance-oriented than the brand's "fast and light" hiking shoes. The shoe's thick cushioning is not only comfortable but provides decent support for a lightweight trail shoe. My test pair particularly impressed in the Gila Wilderness, where my feet felt fresher than expected after an 18-mile hike with a heavy pack, 50 water crossings, and 4000 feet of ups and downs. That said, the shoe's shallow lugs hqve better traction on rocks and easy terrain than gravel or mud. The Roam is my KEEN recommendation for fastpackers and hikers who want a lightweight trail shoe with a little backbone.
BUDGET KEENTRAIL RUNNING SHOE
KEEN WANDER
The cheapest trail shoe on this list, the KEEN Wander is an entry-level trail running shoe with less cushioning and moderate traction. It's not as sturdy as the Roam or as sleek as the Seek. However, its entry-level price might tempt more casual hikers who prefer a trail running shoe to KEEN's more casual hiking shoes.
BEST KEEN TRAIL RUNNING SHOE FOR RUNNERS
KEEN SEEK
The Seek is KEEN's premium trail running shoe. It's light with max cushion midsoles, aggressive tread, and a sock-like collar that's supposed to keep out sand and pebbles (but only sort of does). Compared with other trail shoes in KEEN's line, it's similar to the Targhee Apex in hikeability with softer, less supportive foam than the Roam. If you're a speedy hiker—and either like this shoe's collar or looks—the Seek is a more athletic alternative to KEEN's (more casual) "fast and light" hiking shoes.
How to Choose KEEN Hiking Shoes
In 2026, KEEN hiking shoes include the Targhee IV, Targhee Apex, Voyageur, Zionic NXT, Hightrail, and Versacore Speed. How do you know which one to buy?
The key to buying is the best hiking shoe for YOU is to choose (1) the best fit for your feet and (2) the best build for the hikes that you do most of the time.
Choosing KEEN Hiking Shoes by Fit
KEEN is a good brand for men and women with wide feet. While the brand generally has a wide or roomy fit, KEEN hiking shoes currently have three slightly different fits: Original Fit, Contoured Fit, and Wides.
- KEEN's Original Fit is the brand's roomy fit with a wide toe box. If you prefer a wider toe box, focus on the Targhee IV, Targhee Apex, or Voyageur—which the KEEN hiking shoes with Original Fit.
- If you need the widest fit, KEEN offers the Targhee IV, Targhee Apex, and Hightrail in wide sizes.
- The KEEN Zionic NXT, Hightrail, and Versacore have a contoured fit—not as wide as most KEENs (but still roomy compared with most brands).
- If you have narrow feet, you should probably skip KEEN and focus on the best hiking shoes with narrow fits.
My hiking feet appreciate the wide toe box and roomy fit of the KEEN Targhee Apex hiking shoe
Choosing KEEN Hiking Shoes by Hiking Style
As a general rule, KEEN hiking shoes emphasize comfort over technical performance. However, there are subtle differences between the brand's 9 trail shoes that make certain pairs a little bit better for certain types of hiking.
To find the best KEEN hiking shoe for your hikes, it helps to answer this question: What's most important to you in a hiking shoe: support, price, or weight savings?
- If you prefer a more supportive hiking shoe, the obvious choice is the KEEN Targhee IV.
- If you're most concerned about price, the KEEN Voyageur (non-waterproof) is a budget buy.
- Hikers who prefer lightweight hiking shoes should focus on KEEN's "fast and light" collection: the Targhee Apex, Zionic NXT, Hightrail, or Versacore Speed.
KEEN Hiking Shoe Reviews
I'm the former footwear manager at a hiking and backpacking shoe who hikes 1000+ miles each year to test hiking boots and shoes. I've published in-depth reviews of several KEEN hiking shoes, trail running shoes, and hiking sandals:
For more on KEEN hiking boots, please see my KEEN brand review for hikers. If you're thinking KEEN hiking shoes may not be the best fit for you, no problem. For alternatives, please browse Hiking Feet's reviews of other top brands, hiking shoe reviews, and curated list of the best hiking shoes for men and women.
Hiking Havasupai Falls in the KEEN Newport H2 sandal
Should you buy KEEN hiking shoes?
As the former footwear manager at Appalachian Outdoors, I recommend KEEN hiking shoes for men and women who need a wider fit and mostly hike average trails. KEEN is a mid-tier brand with good hiking shoes for typical day hikers, occasional hikers, and casual hikers. However, if you mostly hike harder trails, you may prefer Salomon hiking shoes or a premium brand with better traction, durability, and GORE-TEX waterproofing. Likewise, men and women with narrow feet might focus on La Sportiva or hiking shoes with narrower fits. If you prefer a roomier fit and more approachable, comfort-oriented hiking shoes, you'll probably be happy with KEEN hiking shoes.
Have you found your new hiking shoe in this post? If so, please consider purchasing it through the links in this post. That's a free and easy way for you to support this site's free and independent content.
