We have tried several men's Keen shoes in the last few months to base this review on. Finding the best hiking shoes can be tough, but the task is made pretty easy if you know where and what to look for.
This article is going to be about the Keen Men's Steens Waterproof Hiking Shoes. We have performed rigorous testing on these shoes and, after that, only found them to be Keen men's sandals worth recommending.
But before we dive right into our review for this fantastic article, let's take a look at all the things you need to keep in mind when searching for hiking shoes.
Things to keep in mind when buying hiking shoes!
Hiking boots are different than your regular boots. They are manufactured specifically to cater to the requirements of walking on difficult terrains. You will see when you hold a hiking shoe in your hand that its traction pattern is far more different than any other shoe you may come across.
That is mainly because a hiking shoe is designed to provide you with maximum grip and traction when you're huddling through mountains and uneven trails. Plus, they keep you comfortable when your regular sneakers fail to do it.
So, keeping that in mind, here are a few things you must consider before purchasing a pair of hiking shoes.
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Know your style
Every hiking shoe you see on the web is designed for a specific type of trekking. Do you just hike casually, or you're a more avid trekker who likes to spend most of his time in the mountains? It is completely up to the kind of trekking you want, and you can pick a shoe according to that.
It is imperative that you determine your style beforehand and then jump into the market. You don’t want to end up with a hiking shoe that does nothing good for the kind of adventure you plan to take on.
Count on the materials
Don't take the materials of hiking shoes lightly. They can make or break your entire trip. Our advice would be to choose the breathable fabric, so your feet don't feel hot or cramped up while you're trekking.
Find the right material by doing a little extra research so it can give you the ultimate comfort.
Maximum support
Of course, having maximum support from the shoes you put on is another aspect of grave importance. We would ensure maximum cushioning on the inside so our feet remain comfortable during the trail.
Also, don't forget ankle support and debris resistance. The sole also should be solid enough so you don't feel what may come underneath your feet while you're busy hiking.
Right size
Having the right size is also something you cannot neglect. Hiking shoes should fit you accurately. The slightest of size difference can create havoc while you're trekking. You should definitely avoid it. Having enough toe space will make your feet comfortable while you're on track. Furthermore, don't go for a size that is bigger than your feet. It can cause your shoe to come off, which is another issue you should be wary of.
Go for a test run
Never finalize a shoe that you have not gone for a test run in. Sometimes, the shoes feel fine on your feet the first time you put them on. Only to realize later, they are no good once you actually go for a run. Always test your hiking shoes before taking them on to the adventure. Trust us, you will have no regrets.
Men Keen Shoes For Hiking
Moving ahead to our review for Keen sandals men that you can try for hiking, you have a lot to look forward to. The Keen Steens WP Hiking Shoes are commendable for comfort, optimal traction, versatility, and support.
We found them to be a good option for medium to light backpacking trips. We don't recommend them for hardcore mountaineering, though, but if you just like to go for a trek on a causal and easy trail, the men keen shoes have got you covered.
There are several reasons why these shoes are a customer favorite, and we are going to take a look at all of them down below.
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• Comfort
First things first, one of the most important things to consider when you're buying any kind of shoe is comfort. If your feet aren't comfortable and easy enough when you're walking, then you'll get tired sooner rather than later.
There is additional cushioning in men's keen shoes that keep you comfortable enough throughout the time you've put them on. The insole feels very comfortable, and with sufficient toe space, your feet will remain at ease.
The breathable mesh also does wonders for comfort. It keeps your feet from getting hot and cramped up while you walk. Not to mention keeping all kinds of stinks away.
• Weight
The Keen Steen WP Hiking Shoes uses breathable material, which is lightweight. It is important to have a lightweight shoe on when hiking to avoid pressure on your feet.
We were pretty impressed with how light the shoes felt as soon as we put them on. And trust us, its lightweight has no bearing on its performance. The shoes feel stable and durable enough to tackle difficult trails.
• Support
What is the one thing you want from your hiking shoes? Obviously, maximum support when you're covering a difficult trail and has roadblocks at every step.
It has a very slim design without a lot of volumes. You already know the shoes feel lightweight, so they're not going to hold you back. The traction pattern is also great (we will be talking about that next), so you really have nothing to worry about where support is concerned.
The shoes also have sufficient toe space, so you don't feel pressure at the forefront of your feet. It's true to size, so just make sure you have put on proper shoes, and you're good to go.
• Traction
The Steens Hiking Shoes by Keen comes with a traction pattern that covers a lot of the sole. The outer sole is solid enough, and so is the traction pattern. The grip is phenomenal, and it will ensure you don't lose your balance once you're on a terrain that's tricky to get hold of in the first place.
It features a granite rubber sole that handles debris, dirt, mud, and rocks efficiently. It also has an excellent grip over wet rocks when you're moving ahead without any chance of slippage. So, yeah, it does win us over in the traction department.
• Versatility
We loved the fact that how versatile the Keen Steens Hiking Shoes are. Whether it's a hard trail you would like to cover or a lighter one, the shoes have got you covered for either.
There are not many hiking shoes available that pack versatility. So, when we found a pair of shoes that could handle everything, we just couldn't resist. This will mean you won't have to get separate shoes for hard trekking. Just one purchase, and you're all set.
• Water resistance
This is where Steens has kind of failed to impress us. The only problem we found with these otherwise solid shoes is not water-resistant enough. Though the company claims for them to be waterproof, our experience was different.
It barely took two minutes for the shoes to start leaking once they were underwater. We found the right shoe to be the worst hit. It was soaking like anything before 5-minutes were, though.
The water leakage is pretty much justified considering the minimal price point. We couldn't really hope to get high-water-resistant shoes. So whatever we got, we are pretty okay with. We suggest not getting these men keen shoes if you were planning to buy them for waterproof properties.
• Durability
The Steens Waterproof Hiking Shoes are most popular for their durability. Given the price these shoes come at, their durability is commendable. We didn't see any sprouts coming out from the sole after our testing period, neither were there any nicks or bites.
The shoe also offers unmatched toe protection. The forefront of the shoe feels very solid and keeps you from getting injured on your way up.
• Made In
These shoes are designed, assembled and packaged in the Portland, Oregon. The high-quality materials are sourced from all over the world, whereas the shoes are made in India.
Final verdict
The Keen Steens WP Hiking Shoes have been a longtime favorite of numerous hikers. The shoes feel very comfortable, provide impeccable traction, and comes with a very capable design.
Not to mention, the low price of this bad boy certainly makes it one hell of a choice. Although, we did hit a few hiccups with regards to the waterproof feature of these hiking shoes. In our test run, they did leak, which is off-putting.
However, if you’re a beginner who would just like to start with causal trekking, then Keen men's shoes or Newport Sandals are definitely worth a try.
