View Full Version : Keen hiking shoes & boots experiences?
Morpheus
03-19-2009, 18:43
Recently bought Keen Newport Hikers. Well ventilated, mid height, waterproof.
Sticky sole, but pretty non-aggressive tread. Probably designed to hike from one Rockefeller mansion in Newport, RI to another Rockefeller mansion. ;)
Very comfortable. Don't think I'd use them on the AT, but curious about other people's experiences on the trail with some of their other footwear.
I used 3 pair's of Targhee 2's on My thru, and loved 'em. Obviously they did'nt hold up, but I did'nt get any blister's. After the first pair wore out, I just did'nt want to screw with the system.
johnnybgood
03-19-2009, 22:50
Love the Targhee Mid Boot so well I find myself wearing them other places , like work and EVERYWHERE.
I bought a pair of Keen trail shoes 4 or 5 years ago. Wore them on one backpacking trip and the toe rand started peeling back. Took 'em back to REI, got my money back, and bought a pair of Merrell's. Maybe they're better now?
Slo-go'en
03-19-2009, 23:23
I haven't tried them, but I know one thru hiker from last year who loves the Keens. Took at least 2 pair to do the hike, but thats to be expected. I think I'll look for some next time I need boots.
Wise Old Owl
03-19-2009, 23:38
Left for a week in the wilderness and forgot my boots due to a 5am start. Someone asked my shoe size and had a second pair of keens - Wow 15 + miles in sandals - It was awesome.
reddenbacher
03-20-2009, 01:50
started with a pair did four shakedowns,each time tossing something else.the newports went.worse desision ever.two days later a kid came jogging down the trail in my keens i wanted to take them back but this guy neeeded them they were the best eqpment he had on him 300 miles later he still had them.was real happy.mathewski loves them and he runs and sings most the time must be those shoes
karoberts
03-20-2009, 01:57
I wear the Keen Shellrock. I love the rubber toe because I tend to kick rocks.
Foolishly, I did the BMT on a pair of Hardrocks that I've been using pretty much consistently since the Fall. Needless to say, by ~mile 200, my feet were not happy. :)
Anyway, Rock was nice enough to take me an outfitter in town to get some shoes for the last one-hundred miles. I wear a 10
Wide in Hardrocks. They did not have them in stock. The (very knowledgeable) sales person suggested a Keen brand shoe because they run wide. It ended up being the Ridgeline model.
So far, they worked well. Did me good on the last one hundred miles of the BMT and other local hikes here in town. I plan on using them in Utah and Arizona in the next couple of weeks. No blisters. Comfy. Seems rugged enough and they feel light.
Because they DO run wide, I may grab another pair and they are slightly less expensive than the Hardrocks (easier to get vs wide sizes, too).
ps. Perhaps they had this "hike" in mind when they designed the Newports? ;)
http://www.cliffwalk.com/ (I remember being in my early teens and Mom and Dad vetoing this walk because at 7 miles R/T, it was too long! :O)
Mother Nature
03-20-2009, 07:40
I bought a pair of Targhees in mid-PA last year after my old boots started to eat up my feet. I ran into a seasoned thru who had switched to a Targhee and I commented that I have just bought a pair and asked him how he liked his.
He said not so much as the vibram sole started peeling off after 18 miles. With closer inspection I saw that he had duct taped the shoes to keep the sole on... he said Keen was replacing them at his next mail drop.
My Keens and I had other issues related to me personally but after 50 miles my sole peeled off as well.
A third hiker last year passed us with the same problem. Hope these issues were just related to last year's model.
mweinstone
03-20-2009, 07:44
keen and asolo are the only two companys that have ever existed on the earth.san sebastions rule keen.
mweinstone
03-20-2009, 07:48
there,..if this threads a fix, ill git me some coupon and a call from telemarketing soon.
Targhee II is comfortable. If you have a narrow foot it might not be for you. Rooomy in the toe box.
Morpheus
03-20-2009, 10:07
Mags that's exactly what I was thinking! I'm waiting for more opinions to keep coming r/t durability and comfort with high mileage cuz they sure rock in the comfort area. My feet are medium plus width and love the toe space. And being a root and rock kicker, I appreciate the toe cap.
bigcranky
03-20-2009, 12:24
My wife can hike all day in her Keen sandals. I like them okay for bumming around town, but on the trail the toe box is just too confining and gives me massive blisters on the outside two toes. So like any footwear, it's all a matter of fit.
My wife can hike all day in her Keen sandals. I like them okay for bumming around town, but on the trail the toe box is just too confining and gives me massive blisters on the outside two toes. So like any footwear, it's all a matter of fit.
That's odd, because I just picked some up specifically because the shoe lady at the outfitter said they are known for a roomy toe box, and they felt pretty spacious when I tried them on. Similar sentiments have been expressed above. But, feet seem to be pretty idiosyncratic and you've just got to do what works for you.
That must be an impressive box of toes you're stepping on.
Slo-go'en
03-20-2009, 13:24
Targhee II is comfortable. If you have a narrow foot it might not be for you. Rooomy in the toe box.
Bummer, I have a really narrow foot and finding narrow boots can be a problem. I had a pair of Vasque going through PA a couple of years ago which were so wide, my feet would roll inside the boot when sidestepping on rocks. Not good. I got them at the outfitter in Waynsborow, who didn't have a great selection of boots to choose from.
For boots, Asolo tends to have a narrow toe box. Have you tried them?
bigcranky
03-20-2009, 23:26
That's odd, because I just picked some up specifically because the shoe lady at the outfitter said they are known for a roomy toe box, and they felt pretty spacious when I tried them on.
Mine are from the first year Keen made sandals. Perhaps they've adjusted their toebox.
Or maybe I have hobbit feet....
I wore out the soles on two pair of Newport sandals. The uppers are still in great shape.
I climbed Katahdin in the Newports after my Keen trail shoes (forgot the model) bit the dust 3/4 of the way through the Hundred Mile Wilderness last year.
The soles had plenty of stick for the ledges of Katahdin. The fit is perfect for my feet (narrow in the heel and wide in the forefoot with a low volume for my pancake-flat feet.
Btw - an apostrophe followed by an s does not make things plural. It shows that something belongs to the word preceding the apostrophe - example: The shoe's narrow toe box made it impossible for me to consider buying the shoes. (Rant completed - happy typing :)).
I have the Keen Targhee's and I love them.
I have about 400 miles on mine and haven't had any issues with mine.
sticks&stones
03-21-2009, 13:12
i've been able to get 1,100mls of long distance out of a pair of keen sandals. all stitching and lamination in tact.
sasquatch2014
03-21-2009, 21:47
I had a pair of Montrail GTX and even after over 600 miles on them they would eat my feet alive after about the 3rd day. I switched to the Targhee last year and loved it. Did the SNP last fall and not one issue with my feet the whole trip.
I too had the issue with the sole peeling back and even had an eyelet thing cut through. Called Keen they said take them back to the store and they gave me a new pair right away. The fact that I had the Super Feet in it helped as the foot bed was already broken in. I wish it had a bit more bite to the tread but overall it seems to work ok. I'll take a slip here or there for no blisters if that is the trade off.
Powder River
03-28-2009, 21:51
Hiked the whole trail in 3 pairs of Keens. Super comfortable, but the tread wears out quickly
Rocketman
03-29-2009, 11:10
I bought a pair of Targhees in mid-PA last year after my old boots started to eat up my feet. I ran into a seasoned thru who had switched to a Targhee and I commented that I have just bought a pair and asked him how he liked his.
He said not so much as the vibram sole started peeling off after 18 miles. With closer inspection I saw that he had duct taped the shoes to keep the sole on... he said Keen was replacing them at his next mail drop.
My Keens and I had other issues related to me personally but after 50 miles my sole peeled off as well.
A third hiker last year passed us with the same problem. Hope these issues were just related to last year's model.
In 2007, I had the same problem with the Targhee boots, after less than 50 miles of the AT. I got a refund from the retailer, who commented that this was one of several such refunds he had to give that year on that boot model.
I ended up with some GTX lined boots which were pretty sweaty. There was virtually no rain during that drought year, so I can't comment on waterproofness of the GTX lining.
hikerofmtns
03-30-2009, 12:47
I had a similar experience as you, Tinker. I hiked 80 miles of the 100 Mile Wilderness trail in my Newport Keens. I made the mistake of wearing my 20 year old leather hiking boots and my feet swelled so much I had to ditch them and wear my Keens. They held up beautifully, even carrying a 30 pd. pack. I wouldn't probably do it again for as long a distance but they're awesome sandals.
Bought a pair of Keen hiking shoes in November, which arrived in the mail the day before Thanksgiving. Went on a wet hike Thanksgiving weekend. The sole of one shoe became 50% detached from the upper by day 4 of the hike. Sent them back. Will not be ordering any more.
hootyhoo
03-30-2009, 21:38
I have been using them for about 4 months. Love them. I guess they have about 350 miles on them - and are holding up well. The soft rubber soles may wear out before the leather does. I think I will get another pair when these die - if I get more than a thousand miles out of them.
scooterdogma
06-25-2009, 18:06
I used to swear by Merrell's, then switched to Keen's about 6 yrs ago, I have had them all. I love them all. They fit my feet perfectly, I am narrow in the heel, wider in the toe, and on my way to fallen arches. Keens have kept me out there, Merrells gave me plantar facetious. No such problem, with the Keens. I have never returned a pair or had a problem with any sole or upppers. They are comfortable right out of the box. Did I mention I love them .....
Auntie Mame
06-25-2009, 23:43
No delamination, unusual water repellance, wicked comfortable: what more can I say?
Oh, they ran 1.5 sizes too big in womens', so I gulped and bought an 11 after trying other sizes. (9.5 street shoe). So I looked like Goofy until I got used to them.
I did the first 900 mi. of the AT in them last spring, with snow and rain and rocks and lotsa mud. I did another 150 mi in New England with tons of rock and they were as close to perfection in a hiking boot as I have ever had.
I carried 30# pack, wore wool Smartwool type socks, and added a gel insole after a little while.
Now they are pretty rank when they get wet, but still 100%, structurally. Sole is wearing but still usable.
I have a narrow heel, wider forfoot, and mid to high arch.
I will weep when they stop making those.
Keen made sandals where them on long hot day hikes no problems
rootball
06-28-2009, 20:43
The Targhee 2 are very dry and confortable. There was an ankle rubbing issue at first and I got worried, but it went away. They did seem to stretch a little and I have to wear a little thicker sock than I like. The tread is sticky, but can be slippery due to the large sized lugs. The stucky tread is showing wear as expected.
The other pair is the Arroyo. They are awsome. I have used them for just about everything. I no longer hike in them - stopping to get rocks out was too big of a pain.
Both pairs are older and are holding up quite well.
No signs of dleaminating of the sole, the insoles have done well, the stiching is all good.
They seem to make a good shoe.
NCYankee
06-29-2009, 16:25
This just goes to show what a complete individual fit shoes are. After having my Asolos eat my feet up alive I decided to try out a pair of Keen Targhees. I liked the big toe box but they never really felt 'tight' to me. They were pretty light weight but never felt like they held my foot. The massive toe box wasn't really all that massive. After a short but heavy pack trip (8 miles) I noticed that the toe box was wide on the inside of my foot but rather narrow on the outside of my foot. It felt constricting to me and after a while I just felt annoyed with it but completely consumed. They went back right after that first trip, 20 miles on them and all.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
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One other thing about Keens that got to me... The soles. I often use my foot to push tent stakes into the ground when I get to camp. I had 3 MSR needle stakes (with the little hooks on the top) actually break through the sole and get stuck in the rubber of the Targhees. I had to sit down on the ground and figure out how to pull the stakes out. This has never happened to me in another shoe (including softer soled trail runners).<o:p></o:p>
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A couple of people I know swear by the Targhees but for me they just didn't work. <o:p></o:p>
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That being said, I have a pair of Keen sandals that are great (especially since I got them on clearance for $20). They are that faux leather and say waterproof, but they aren't that quick drying. I don't take them hiking because of the weight, but I do wear them around town a lot. <o:p></o:p>
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Whatever works for you is the best bet. Try on lots and lots of pairs and go with a store with a return policy.<o:p></o:p>
Chaco Taco
06-29-2009, 17:37
Keens are great. Got some in Monson and still have them today. Got the Targhee mids right now and love them.
Chaplain
10-16-2009, 13:35
The keens run wide and the they are known for giving more room in the toe box if that is what your foot needs. I have used them on the AT, and in New Mexico hiking in the Sange de Cristo Mtns. They are comfortable and so far I have never had a blister. And I have put them through the mill.
sasquatch2014
10-16-2009, 14:14
While I have come to expect some issues with the tread coming back on the shoes the last pair had massive eyelet failure. In a single 10 day hike which was a bit wet and muddy, VT, I had 5 eyelets fail. The use like a webbing material for the eyelet. I think that the grit got on the lace and basically sawed through the webbing they are on their way back to keen as we speak.
If the boot was not so comfortable I wouldn't go through all this but they really fit and feel great.
The Targhees II low cuts have been useful to me because when I need a high level of protection- sole, toe bumper, heel cup, leather w/ waterproofing- they fit the bill. Same goes when I want some additional ankle protection and support but with something that's perhaps a bit more breathable but without WP, I have used the Vayaguer Mids. I have really wide forefeet with my second toe being longer than my "big" toe. The toe box gives even my very wide and oddly shaped feet some room to "grow" as I continue on longer hikes. I would like to se more hiking shoes with similar shaped and designed toe boxes. Obviously, the extra protection and sometimes WP is a trade off w/ wearing a heavier shoe. I don't usually wear these shoes when I'm planning a series of high mileage days for this very reason. At those times I prefer a lighter wt. shoe.
One compaint I"ve heard about the Voyaguers, and it also happened to me, is that some of the black rubber on the sole separates. I didn't think it effected the performance of the shoe in any way but I did have to Shoe-Goo the black rubber trim back on. Haven't had any problems since then.
WalkingStick75
10-17-2009, 10:45
The keens run wide giving me more room in the toe box, very comfortable on my feet. I used a pair on the International AT this year and after 3 weeks started noticing holes in the material. Now back home I see they are falling apart but still very comfortable.
I have a pair of Keen Targhee's that are a few years older. They are lightweight like sneakers and very comfortable. I have never gotten blisters from them. I really like the rubber toe guards. However, like everyone elses, the black rubber outsoles started stripping away from the boot on my second weekend trip in PA. I have been gluing them back down so I don't have to buy new boots. I'm going to make sure the next pair of boots I buy have all the rubber sole underneath the boot in one solid section.
Check out the boots sold on steepandcheap.com. They look pretty decent and are relatively inexpensive.