I would love to see some Salomon hiking boots! They are often marketed as the right mix between high quality and affordability, and at least they never disappointed me so far!
I've been wearing their Speedcross 4 as a landscaping shoe for a few years and love them. Lasts about three to four months of daily wear and tear on a mix of surfaces.
I had Solomon boots for about 2 years and they are destroyed. I have Asolo boots as well and after about 4 years they are still ok. It is true that Solomons are comfortable, but I wouldn't use the word durable to describe them at all. I actually was looking to see if there were any leather boots that would be good for backpacking.
SM Wholesale has so good WWII reproduction boots from germany, US and the UK, it would be pretty cool to compare say, german jackboots vs american buckle boots.
I sent an email about this very topic, (no reply), and offered to send up to 5 pairs. I'm guessing he's got his plate full juggling all these big name companies.
@@RhubarbVIVII no, keen still makes great stuff. You seem to be one of those old bitter guys that hate on shit for no reason. Everything is "crap" to people like that.
I’ve owned four pairs of Keen, and love them. Wanted to touch on a couple of things (I wear them to destruction). - They are intended as a hiking boot. Hence the softer rubber (grips over rocks), I don’t see them lasting very long if someone were to use them while working. - I never had failure of the fabric parts, although there was some de-lamination of the black rubber from the foam part of the sole (tho after many many miles and a couple of years of wear). Loved the video
Brands like Keen and 5-10 have very soft rubber on some models that will wear out super fast if worn on the streets. But when worn hiking they will last a long time. Also have great experience with Keen, excellent quality.
Another add on. Keens makes Normal and Wide widths. Their Normal are as stated wide and their Wide width is WIDE. I wear an 11 4E in New Balance and I wear wide Keens comfortably out of the box. If you have clown feet like me these are the hiking boots you want.
From a person who walks over 2000 miles a year, I'm not super stoked about the 500 mile testing - I'd bet the iron rangers you showed had a lot more than 500 miles on them. I think I'm allergic to advertisements, but otherwise I love your videos and I'm glad you're getting paid. Cheers man.
@@Claudiu_BR it really depends on your application I work on a farm where steel toe isn't required but water proofing is so I wear hiking boots like Merrell and Keen. Ive tried Columbia and Timberlands but they fall apart on me in less than 3 months. I wear a 6 inch Irish setter sometimes too but they're a little too heavy for tons of walking
I used to be big fan of red wing...but Keen box toe stole me away. I have 3 pair all different styles. Mid top boot, low cut shoe and just bought hybrid walking shoe. All are waterproof. Love them all. One down side is the soft tread dose wear out faster, but my feet don't hurt so ill take that. Great vid didn't know about this new design, ill have to check it out.
I love hiking boots. I am a "hiking boot" fan. To me, they are like "heavy-duty sneakers". They are just as comfortable, but last way way longer. They also come in "earth tones" so they look better for longer. I haven't bought a pair of "sneakers" in probably 20 years. I wear "hikers" as my everyday shoe. I even use them on my daily walks over walking shoes. I discovered the wonders of hiking boots 20 years ago when I hiked the Appalachian Trail. The glued construction is stronger than you would think, and because of that they are more comfortable because they are multiple times easier to break-in. In my opinion "hikers" are the perfect balance between ruggedness and comfortability. I would love to see you do more "hikers" on the channel.
The issue is they just aren’t fashionable like traditional boots, up here in the PNW we got lots of people that wear these as regular shoes and imho I have not seen a solid outfit in them. Then again most of them wore denim pants with a graphic tee.
I'd have really appreciated seeing the whole boot disassembled for this model. There are so many different patches of material that may, or may not be multiple layers. The parts that aren't leather (around the heel and toe) are pretty clearly designed to look like they are additional layers, built on top of a leather upper. If they're not, and the leather ends where they're stitched together, I think that would be valuable information to provide.
If you're interested in my perspective, I think that based on how soft the material is, the outsole is going to wear out long before you can see any real benefit from having the rubber flex points. When it comes to boots like this, it's usually the outsole and the fabric lining on the inside of the boot that fails first, not the creases in the leather. Sure, it might take less muscle in your foot to walk, so that's a plus, but since you can't replace the outsole, the boots will probably last exactly the same amount of time as any other fully-cemented boot. Also, if you take good care of it, leather can last a lifetime, even with the creases. I actually quite like the creasing in my more casual boots as it makes the boots more comfortable and also looks nice in my opinion. They might not be bad boots, but just don't expect any miracles.
Everytime a new vid comes out my eye automatically goes to the arch to look for a shank. Before I knew of this channel I didn't even know shanks existed
I'd love to see more modern work boots and hiking boots. I go through 1 pair of hiker per season and I'm amazed at how different they wear and perform.
This looks like a cool idea, but in my experience with boots of this style with the molded on sole, the failure is never where they've put the bellows. The failure is always along the sole at that same flex point at the ball of the foot. Where the leather and rubber meet the section of leather that is glued to the firmer rubber stays stiff and rigid creating a stress point in the much more flexible leather upper which causes it to break down and tear much faster.
WIDE TOE BOX! YES! I love shoes and boots with a wider toe box but finding them that aren't minimalist is difficult. I've been wearing Lems for a little while and I'm pretty happy with them. I'm still trying to figure out why wider toe boxes aren't industry standard. Why make a shoe that isn't in the natural shape of the foot? Squished toes are very uncomfortable. Thanks for the video, I'll have to check out Keen now.
@@Hectorrecto117 The standard issue Army boots. There's some hard plastic bit in the heel that tore my feet to shreds. My personal favorite boots are the Rocky's and the Garmonts.
@@Hectorrecto117 I have not, but I've tried oakley's. They're nice and lightweight but they have zero arch support. I had to buy my own inserts. I still have them lol
Keen has been my go to shoes/boots/sandals for 20+ years. Best footwear available. Comfortable right out of the box. Yes there are failures, but few and far between. Used to buy their socks and trousers but seems they have stopped attire lines. Same ownership as Chrome! Very good products throughout. Extremely conscientious owner. Family owned and operated. Awesome family!
I have keen flint II for work, by far the most comfy boot I’ve worn, the weakness is the sole, since they’re primarily hiking boots they have a soft rubber that doesn’t last but about 6mo. Of daily use on flat concrete. I will say I’ve ran the front of the boot over with a loaded 2,500 lb. pallet jack and they saved my foot, steel toe was still intact and not bent, and there was only a small tear in the leather but it didn’t affect anything. Pretty good boots
Been wearing Keen since 2010, have over 20 pairs, wear a men's 14, 100 % of them fit perfect right out of the box. They tend to stretch out after a couple of years making them too loosie-goosy for hiking after that, no more lateral support, never wearing the same pair twice in any given week. My favorites, the best fitting/wearing they no longer make...Siskiyou and Ericson PCT. Keen! Please bring those both back! I'll buy a dozen each, then you can discontinue them again!!!
Just purchased Keen Pittsburgh from Skeechers work boot. After 1st pair you'll never go back. Absolutely the finest boots I've ever had. Keen boots ROCK, Keen boots will CLIMB to #1 boot in USA.
I f-in love Keen. Bought a pair of hiking sandals from them, and they are still in good shape after walking and hiking more than 1500 kms. They've been through wet rock and scorching asphalt, stopped nails and barbed wire, been in my dog's mouth; and they still look amazing. The only issue I've had is the fishing line of the top seam making a rash against my barefoot, so I need to wear socks or tape that; but I have extremely sensitive skin and I bet most people will be fine. Comfort and durability wise, I can't recomend this brand enough
500 miles is shockingly low if you're into hiking. My old merrells lasted me thousands and thousands of miles without any issues with the leather. It was glue that eventually deteriorated (10 years down the line that is).
You can't compare one shoe model's advertised lifespan with the actual number of miles you got out of a specific pair of shoes (from another brand and model). You need to compare the advertised durability of the Merrell model you had, with the advertised durability of these Keen's OR use both models until they break and compare the actual number of miles you got out of both of them. The fact that Keen feels confident to say that this model will last for 500 miles, does NOT mean that the specific pair you buy can't last longer. They may very well last longer than your Merrell boots. You don't know that, I don't know that, and Keen don't know that. Please note: I have never tried a pair of Keen boots and my current boots are actually a pair of Merrells, so I'm not trying to defend Keen. I'm simply pointing out your argumental fallacy.
Keen are my favorite goto's right now, from sandals to shoes to boots. I feel like, they do not fit into any design or fashion but... comfort and weatherized they are very nice.
Keens are my favorite boots. I buy a new pair every year and they are different every year but still feel the same. The construction is top-notch when you were working on your feet all day on a concrete floor. I also have to have ESD protection and there are not many brands that offer ESD protection when working around sensitive Electronics.
Ive had my keen boots for two years and the sole isnt worn down yet. Also they are the most comfortable shoes/boots ive ever had. I wear their footwear every day. Im pretty much a fanboy now lol. I tried a pair of nikes for everyday shoes and they wrecked my feet. So i went to keen and my feet thank me every day.
@@JustysFrank no I like some nikes i had a pair i really liked but wore out to quick with the amount of work I do. But you are right if you buy the budget nikes they suck which is a shame because if someone can only afford shoes on a certain budget it will give them a negative view of nike
If Keen tested the new rubber flex 1,000,000 times, let’s say you take 10,000 steps a day. That leaves you 200 days on each pair (1,000,000 flexes divided by 10,000 steps = 100 days x 2 (since you use boots twice when you take a complete step with both feet).
Since these are hiking boots, I don't think that many people are going to be daily wearing these for 10,000 steps. This seems like something you'd wear at most 2 times a week, for probably more than 10,000 steps. If these were my hiking boots, they'd last a few years with 1m steps.
I agree, that is not very long lasting. I might walk 6 or 7 miles a few times a week, and this means they might not be worth it. I expect boots to last longer than 6 month before they split and let water in.
I work in a warehouse and tempted to try these I do 10-15 miles a day my guess these will last longer then they say I have a pair of Skechers I have worn everyday since Christmas and there finally failing apart I’m sure these are 10 times better
I have the Keen Flex work boots for almost a year. They have been great. Made in the USA. I will say their shoelaces wear out faster than anything on the boot.
I'm impressed that they came up with that flex solution. Simple idea that seems to solve a big problem. Might consider these for my next hiking shoes...
I like my KEEN San Jose and I do body work/ ride motorcycles and they are holding up pretty good for being made in India. Nothing against and of my Indian friends but they are a American company and would be nice to see them made in America. But they are light and decently built for the price.
@Roseanvil , I just had a pair of "expensive" boots with what i found out was a fake stitch after having been on a ski vacation where the temps hit -20 C, and the sole started to detach from the boot. Temps might be a good test for the glue on boots to see if they hold up or if stitching is much more important
Seeing you had finally cut open a hiking boot had me at Moctober levels of excitement. I've worn Keen Durands for the past 5 years and they are the only boot I'll ever hike in. Maybe a hiking boot series?? Would love to see if their built in USA line differs at all from their imported products in terms of materials used or build quality. Awesome review!!
500miles is really not a lot of testing... Especially for a person like me, who does about 60 miles of walking per week.... But nonetheless great video, and it's really cool to see some inovation 👌
For a modern work boot to review, you might want to look into Haix. They're a German brand that caters mostly to emergency services and the logging industry, but I have a pair of composite toe boots from then that are very innovative compared to any of my other work boots (Red Wings and Thorogoods, plus lots of cheap brands over the years).
I absolutely love my Portland's from keen. They are the first gen of the keen bellows. I have had them for a year and between the flex and the carbon fiber toe, they are sooo comfortable. And vary durable. They have held up to nearly a year of daily wear on a construction site with plenty of life left.
To address his problem with the liner, they are sooo warm in the winter. Not counting the flex. But I have found that the man made materials hold up vary well. They also have many other models that I have worn over the last 4 years or so. As well as their other shoes, and I have found that their shoes last a vary long time. Their isn't a lot to them to go wrong. Ps their materials are mostly ethically sourced and environmentally friendly.
I've had my keen brixen shoes for 10 years, best winter shoe I have, only downside is they're a low top and thicker snow tends to be a problem, but thankfully I don't work outside
Red wing boots are the best I bought for 15 years straight then they changed the boot a few years ago I hated them been wearing keens ever since I'm impressed
Hi there! Wanted to let you know that after watching this video..I decided to buy the boots.. I really like them..and they are my go to for many activities during the weekends. Thank you..
I have wide feet and have owned many pair of Keen work boots. My issues with them is the sole is all glued layers, eventually the lugs fail. The second is too much padding, they make my feet sweat. They are shaped to fit my wider foot, and they use an asymmetrical safety toe. Generally, I don't have any rubbing with the steel toe.
It’s a niche market but I did a lot of mountaineering, ice climbing etc. Back in the day. I’d be interested in seeing some La Sportiva, Scarpa, or Asolo boots cut in half.
You changed the way I see shoes and more broadly other consumer products. Your videos remind me of the magic school bus where you take us beyond the outer layer and the often pretty looks of the shoes and show us what's really inside them. Thanks for your fantastic content. I'd love to see more videos on hiking boots and possibly a brand comparison video. There are so many brands out there with similar designs and promises.
This was great -- I'd love to see a few more hiking boots by companies like Salomon, The North Face, Zamberlain, etc. I know you did the Danner moc toes, but it would also be great to see their more classic hiking boots such as the Mountain Lights.
I'm sure some people will be happy with them, but to me they look extremely gimmicky, and definitely not for work. Based on past experience, I'll only buy Keen shoes or boots when they're deeply discounted. I had Keen sandals that made my feet stink worse than any other footwear I've ever owned, and I have a pair of Made in USA Keen shoes that are okay, but nothing that makes me long to put them on.
I have a pair of Keen work boots that I had to buy (only boots in my size that fit workplace requirements at the only store my employer would repay) and they are the most uncomfortable shoes I've ever worn.
I have a pair of keen San Jose work boots that you can cut in half if you want them. They are about a year old and I had some sole separation so I got replacements.
So, with the new tech you get roughly half the steps of the Wolverine 1000 Mile. I’ll stick with full leather uppers and proper welting. I was a Keen fan, primarily because of the toe box and toe wrap, but due to lack of durability I had to move on to others
1000 mile is the model name, not some sort of guarantee. The leather or butyl soles would probably wear out before that, and then you're looking at like $400+ total cost. Nobody is saying that these will automatically fail at 500 miles either. That was an accelerated wear test bench, not real world testing. Even if they did break at 500 miles, they're less than half the price, more water proof, more grippy, and more comfortable. I'd say they have their place and I'd pick these over 1000 miles for actual hiking any day.
This is a huge opportunity for you to get with Keen and design a Moc Toe that uses this technology. Finding a way to hide the rubber, or embrace it. And make a Keen Rubber Safety Moc Toc that will last. And great creative with both the Wedge Rubber and Their standard aggressive rubber soles which could be alot of fun.
Ah, so you HAVE reviewed these boots already! I just saw an ad for them yesterday and was interested. A lot of their reviews complained about their leather quality and outsole quality so I'm interested in seeing this review, THANK YOU!
Would have loved to see you do a video of the Vasque ( a Redwing company) Sundowner. Especially the Italian version which was discontinued years ago. Now they are made somewhere where the labor is much cheaper.
I've been hiking with this boot for a year. I love 'em for cold environments and they're easy on your feet when decensing on a slope. They over heat like hell, but this is in no way a Summer boot.
Nice to see a hiker deconstructed! Just like when you compared a bunch of moc toes across brands, you'll find hiking boots to be designed to a different set of requirements than work/fashion boots. As JR mentions in another comment, traction is king, along with waterproof breathability (hence the Goretex-style liner). Mountaineering boots escalate in price along with features like a rigid sole/shank (for mounting cramp-on spikes and other traction equipment), maintaining light weight (for miles of hiking), and preserving comfort while trading off these requirements. Would be great to compare these Keens to Oboz Bridgers (my favorite mid-range hiker) or a more robust mountaineering boot like the La Sportiva Trango GTX.
EE width. I wear Keene steel/composite toe shoes at work. A wide toe box is very important when you have a reinforced toe box. Before we had Keene available to us I tried some Timberlands. I could feel the reinforcement. I think I wore them them for a week.
I started buying g keens after dozens of pairs of red wings Thurgood and tims.... I'll never ever go back. I cant remember the name of mine but they have no leather which is great for throwing salt in the winter. I just hose them off and I'm on my way.
In one single pair boots a lot of technologies . I like KEEN for this. So, I'm have two pair boots ,one dressboot Red Wing Merchant and for hiking KEEN Flex.
I usually hike in Vasque hiking boots. Tried a pair of Keen Terradora (sp?) as a casual hiker for in town trails, and the fabric around the toe box didn't even last one season without tearing. I was very disappointed, tried them on recommendation of others in the hiking group. I did love the toe room.
Been using a pair of Keen winter boots for two seasons now, and I've come to realize that I cannot go back to narrow toe shoes. I used to get so annoyed with my toe pressing against the side of the shoe, but with these it's all gone
With Hiking boots performance probably matters more than longevity. They get hammered from all directions so even a good pair has never lasted me more than a couple of years.
I stand woefully corrected...PC 2600 ,AT 2200 MILES..I love my KEENS 2 ankle slips on one the boot shown old style...500 miles gotta buy new boots or go to a cobbler probably won't have rubber inserts...
Keens make size 17 so I buy them but the often squeak because all the layers come unglued (and they deny ~ won't warranty them). Expensive disposable boots but it's either custom made (I have Limmers), New Balance, Dunham or Keen for mail order shoes. Nobody stocks 17s.
Can you do a boot more working Joe's can afford? Timberland pros Endurance and boondocks? Maybe some wolverine durashocks, something around that price range.
As a guy with wider feet, I resisted buying keens for YEARS, because I wasn’t a fan of the toe cap.... after buying a pair, I can’t go back to other boots. I’ll deal with an ugly toecap for the amazing comfort in the toe box
The wide toebox , the proprietary flex point at the front of the shoe and the almost flat inner sole of the Keen boot makes me think that this is the closest thing to a “barefoot” hiking boot - I know, it sounds kind of like an oxymoron. I could probably make the normal spring in the walk even springier if I put a tad of an arch support - that way, my walk would be more efficient and I would expend less energy in my foot muscles while walking in these boots. Since I’m not a big gal, I like the thought of diverting more energy toward the muscles responsible in holding up a pack.
Abid. I have a total different experience. Bought keen. They are heavy, that's o.k. but there is written _ 40 f -40 c . That attracted me. But There is no insolation for toes. 40 degree F make you feel cold toes..
This is so cool! Keen makes amazing stuff. Could you do some videos on hiking boots? Deep diving into what constitutes a good, comfortable, durable hiking boot?
The problem I see with these is the same issue as the ones I bought a year ago the multiple layer of materials become detached from each other on the soles. Leaving the shoe with a web type of rubber hanging from the bottom after around a year worth of use. This was my concern when buying them, they have been a good shoe up till then worn 6 days a week 8+ hrs. Other problem with mine is the stitching between layers of leather.
I recently tried these and they failed after a few days of use. The bellows on both shoes split across the rubber. Super comfortable but had to move the all leather version. Less comfort but will probably last years.
![My First Impressions on the KEEN Ridge Flex [and Why I Hate Hiking Boots]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/AWqMtxS6Hbs/mqdefault.jpg)
Grab a leather wallet, belt, camera harness, or MORE from the Rose Anvil shop here - bit.ly/44jXLNu
I would love to see some Salomon hiking boots! They are often marketed as the right mix between high quality and affordability, and at least they never disappointed me so far!
Agreed! The Quest 4D has some nifty structure to ‘em.
I've been wearing their Speedcross 4 as a landscaping shoe for a few years and love them. Lasts about three to four months of daily wear and tear on a mix of surfaces.
Nah the soles rots after a few years....$400 wasted
@@no15minutecities I've worn mine for 3 years now, they are in perfect condition and only were about 120€ :)
I had Solomon boots for about 2 years and they are destroyed. I have Asolo boots as well and after about 4 years they are still ok. It is true that Solomons are comfortable, but I wouldn't use the word durable to describe them at all. I actually was looking to see if there were any leather boots that would be good for backpacking.
It'd be really cool to cut open a military repro. I believe Trenton and Heath have resoled Civil War repro boots
That would be. Many old millitary boots were pegged and hob nailed to prevent wear on the sole and traction.
SM Wholesale has so good WWII reproduction boots from germany, US and the UK, it would be pretty cool to compare say, german jackboots vs american buckle boots.
@@jjyr123 ja true. Be interesting to get. Ww1 reenacting uses those boots as starters
I sent an email about this very topic, (no reply), and offered to send up to 5 pairs. I'm guessing he's got his plate full juggling all these big name companies.
Some modern US Army boots would be nice as a comparison to regular suede work boots
Sold a lot of keens when i was an outfitter. People love their stuff especially those with wider feet.
Not anymore. Their stuff is crap.
They seem fine for walking or light hiking. These wouldn't last a week at work with me.
Yes they are nice if you have wide feet.
@@RhubarbVIVII no, keen still makes great stuff. You seem to be one of those old bitter guys that hate on shit for no reason. Everything is "crap" to people like that.
Yep that’s it. The fact if been wearing Keens for 17 years has nothing to do with it I’m sure. Keep up the good work Timmie!
I’ve owned four pairs of Keen, and love them. Wanted to touch on a couple of things (I wear them to destruction).
- They are intended as a hiking boot. Hence the softer rubber (grips over rocks), I don’t see them lasting very long if someone were to use them while working.
- I never had failure of the fabric parts, although there was some de-lamination of the black rubber from the foam part of the sole (tho after many many miles and a couple of years of wear).
Loved the video
Second this - I've had three pairs and I'm always gutted when they die. So comfy.
I loved the wider toe space but I found their grip weaken very quickly
Brands like Keen and 5-10 have very soft rubber on some models that will wear out super fast if worn on the streets. But when worn hiking they will last a long time. Also have great experience with Keen, excellent quality.
Fraid not bud, they r just overpriced, foreign made garbage. PERIOD
Another add on. Keens makes Normal and Wide widths. Their Normal are as stated wide and their Wide width is WIDE. I wear an 11 4E in New Balance and I wear wide Keens comfortably out of the box. If you have clown feet like me these are the hiking boots you want.
From a person who walks over 2000 miles a year, I'm not super stoked about the 500 mile testing - I'd bet the iron rangers you showed had a lot more than 500 miles on them. I think I'm allergic to advertisements, but otherwise I love your videos and I'm glad you're getting paid. Cheers man.
Same, I'm conservatively walking 3000 miles a year. Walked 19 miles today in boots.
can you guys recommend some boots or shoes
@@Claudiu_BR it really depends on your application I work on a farm where steel toe isn't required but water proofing is so I wear hiking boots like Merrell and Keen. Ive tried Columbia and Timberlands but they fall apart on me in less than 3 months. I wear a 6 inch Irish setter sometimes too but they're a little too heavy for tons of walking
What boots do you use?
Yeah 500 miles doesn't sound very impressive
I used to be big fan of red wing...but Keen box toe stole me away. I have 3 pair all different styles. Mid top boot, low cut shoe and just bought hybrid walking shoe. All are waterproof. Love them all. One down side is the soft tread dose wear out faster, but my feet don't hurt so ill take that. Great vid didn't know about this new design, ill have to check it out.
I love hiking boots. I am a "hiking boot" fan. To me, they are like "heavy-duty sneakers". They are just as comfortable, but last way way longer. They also come in "earth tones" so they look better for longer. I haven't bought a pair of "sneakers" in probably 20 years. I wear "hikers" as my everyday shoe. I even use them on my daily walks over walking shoes. I discovered the wonders of hiking boots 20 years ago when I hiked the Appalachian Trail. The glued construction is stronger than you would think, and because of that they are more comfortable because they are multiple times easier to break-in. In my opinion "hikers" are the perfect balance between ruggedness and comfortability. I would love to see you do more "hikers" on the channel.
The issue is they just aren’t fashionable like traditional boots, up here in the PNW we got lots of people that wear these as regular shoes and imho I have not seen a solid outfit in them. Then again most of them wore denim pants with a graphic tee.
I'd have really appreciated seeing the whole boot disassembled for this model. There are so many different patches of material that may, or may not be multiple layers. The parts that aren't leather (around the heel and toe) are pretty clearly designed to look like they are additional layers, built on top of a leather upper. If they're not, and the leather ends where they're stitched together, I think that would be valuable information to provide.
I assume keen didn't agree to a full teardown as this video was sponsored
If you're interested in my perspective, I think that based on how soft the material is, the outsole is going to wear out long before you can see any real benefit from having the rubber flex points. When it comes to boots like this, it's usually the outsole and the fabric lining on the inside of the boot that fails first, not the creases in the leather. Sure, it might take less muscle in your foot to walk, so that's a plus, but since you can't replace the outsole, the boots will probably last exactly the same amount of time as any other fully-cemented boot. Also, if you take good care of it, leather can last a lifetime, even with the creases. I actually quite like the creasing in my more casual boots as it makes the boots more comfortable and also looks nice in my opinion. They might not be bad boots, but just don't expect any miracles.
What about top down puncture resistance?
Everytime a new vid comes out my eye automatically goes to the arch to look for a shank. Before I knew of this channel I didn't even know shanks existed
🤣 me too. My first thought is wonder what the quality of the shank is on these, three months ago I'd never heard of a shank
Keen is my favorite footwear company. I really hope that they never change their toebox shape
Same!!!!! I hope they never change!!!!! Best footwear company I have ever worn.
Couldn't agree more. I don't have particularly wide feet but still have quite a bit of compression in most boots, the Keen toe is a godsend
comfy right out of the box
I'd love to see more modern work boots and hiking boots. I go through 1 pair of hiker per season and I'm amazed at how different they wear and perform.
Have any boot recommendations for hiking?
This looks like a cool idea, but in my experience with boots of this style with the molded on sole, the failure is never where they've put the bellows. The failure is always along the sole at that same flex point at the ball of the foot. Where the leather and rubber meet the section of leather that is glued to the firmer rubber stays stiff and rigid creating a stress point in the much more flexible leather upper which causes it to break down and tear much faster.
Not so much on them I find I lose the keen letters so your left with een or kee en it's silly
WIDE TOE BOX! YES! I love shoes and boots with a wider toe box but finding them that aren't minimalist is difficult. I've been wearing Lems for a little while and I'm pretty happy with them. I'm still trying to figure out why wider toe boxes aren't industry standard. Why make a shoe that isn't in the natural shape of the foot? Squished toes are very uncomfortable. Thanks for the video, I'll have to check out Keen now.
Please do some military boots. I wanna know why they messed my feet up so bad lmao
How? The dessert ones?
@@Hectorrecto117 The standard issue Army boots. There's some hard plastic bit in the heel that tore my feet to shreds. My personal favorite boots are the Rocky's and the Garmonts.
@@VanessaDownen Interesting, have you tried Nike or under armour's military style boots?
@Marc Carran Idk about other countries, but I'm talking about the US Army. I just got out in November.
@@Hectorrecto117 I have not, but I've tried oakley's. They're nice and lightweight but they have zero arch support. I had to buy my own inserts. I still have them lol
Keen has been my go to shoes/boots/sandals for 20+ years. Best footwear available. Comfortable right out of the box. Yes there are failures, but few and far between. Used to buy their socks and trousers but seems they have stopped attire lines. Same ownership as Chrome! Very good products throughout. Extremely conscientious owner. Family owned and operated. Awesome family!
I have keen flint II for work, by far the most comfy boot I’ve worn, the weakness is the sole, since they’re primarily hiking boots they have a soft rubber that doesn’t last but about 6mo. Of daily use on flat concrete. I will say I’ve ran the front of the boot over with a loaded 2,500 lb. pallet jack and they saved my foot, steel toe was still intact and not bent, and there was only a small tear in the leather but it didn’t affect anything. Pretty good boots
Been wearing Keen since 2010, have over 20 pairs, wear a men's 14, 100 % of them fit perfect right out of the box. They tend to stretch out after a couple of years making them too loosie-goosy for hiking after that, no more lateral support, never wearing the same pair twice in any given week. My favorites, the best fitting/wearing they no longer make...Siskiyou and Ericson PCT. Keen! Please bring those both back! I'll buy a dozen each, then you can discontinue them again!!!
Just purchased Keen Pittsburgh from Skeechers work boot. After 1st pair you'll never go back. Absolutely the finest boots I've ever had. Keen boots ROCK, Keen boots will CLIMB to #1 boot in USA.
I f-in love Keen. Bought a pair of hiking sandals from them, and they are still in good shape after walking and hiking more than 1500 kms. They've been through wet rock and scorching asphalt, stopped nails and barbed wire, been in my dog's mouth; and they still look amazing. The only issue I've had is the fishing line of the top seam making a rash against my barefoot, so I need to wear socks or tape that; but I have extremely sensitive skin and I bet most people will be fine. Comfort and durability wise, I can't recomend this brand enough
500 miles is shockingly low if you're into hiking. My old merrells lasted me thousands and thousands of miles without any issues with the leather. It was glue that eventually deteriorated (10 years down the line that is).
My Merrells lasted me 500-700 miles on the AT. There was some kind of plastic shank in it that cracked.
It s always glue, rubber or plastic that gets bad first on a boot. I think bad decision from Keen to put this rubber strip
You can't compare one shoe model's advertised lifespan with the actual number of miles you got out of a specific pair of shoes (from another brand and model). You need to compare the advertised durability of the Merrell model you had, with the advertised durability of these Keen's OR use both models until they break and compare the actual number of miles you got out of both of them.
The fact that Keen feels confident to say that this model will last for 500 miles, does NOT mean that the specific pair you buy can't last longer. They may very well last longer than your Merrell boots. You don't know that, I don't know that, and Keen don't know that.
Please note: I have never tried a pair of Keen boots and my current boots are actually a pair of Merrells, so I'm not trying to defend Keen. I'm simply pointing out your argumental fallacy.
Best boots I've ever owned did a 47 mile hike in them last year and feet were fine at the end.
Other hiker's feet were shredded.
Used to love keens. Had over 10 pairs. Just dont hold up over time but do serve their purpose here in the cold snowy north
As someone with wide feet and a few injuries in my back and legs I love keens as a light weight summer boot for short day hikes.
I have been wearing a pair Of Durands for a few years when I need a boot. Super comfortable. They are heavy but they are also a big boot.
I got my first pair of Keen sandals back in 06? They still look amazing. Same goes for their shoes. Can’t wait to try these out!
I work at Cabela's footwear department currently. I got one pair of these in my shipment last week and we will be getting more soon
Keen are my favorite goto's right now, from sandals to shoes to boots. I feel like, they do not fit into any design or fashion but... comfort and weatherized they are very nice.
Keens are my favorite boots. I buy a new pair every year and they are different every year but still feel the same. The construction is top-notch when you were working on your feet all day on a concrete floor. I also have to have ESD protection and there are not many brands that offer ESD protection when working around sensitive Electronics.
the crease on leathers is patina. i love it.
Ive had my keen boots for two years and the sole isnt worn down yet. Also they are the most comfortable shoes/boots ive ever had. I wear their footwear every day. Im pretty much a fanboy now lol. I tried a pair of nikes for everyday shoes and they wrecked my feet. So i went to keen and my feet thank me every day.
Lmao I bet you bought a budget model
@@JustysFrank what? Your comment makes no sense i love keen boots and you say i bet I bought a budget model? What??
@@MrMosinNagant1937 of nike shoes
@@JustysFrank no I like some nikes i had a pair i really liked but wore out to quick with the amount of work I do. But you are right if you buy the budget nikes they suck which is a shame because if someone can only afford shoes on a certain budget it will give them a negative view of nike
If Keen tested the new rubber flex 1,000,000 times, let’s say you take 10,000 steps a day. That leaves you 200 days on each pair (1,000,000 flexes divided by 10,000 steps = 100 days x 2 (since you use boots twice when you take a complete step with both feet).
Agreed. That means not much wear they can take or not much test where done
Since these are hiking boots, I don't think that many people are going to be daily wearing these for 10,000 steps. This seems like something you'd wear at most 2 times a week, for probably more than 10,000 steps. If these were my hiking boots, they'd last a few years with 1m steps.
I agree, that is not very long lasting. I might walk 6 or 7 miles a few times a week, and this means they might not be worth it. I expect boots to last longer than 6 month before they split and let water in.
I work in a warehouse and tempted to try these I do 10-15 miles a day my guess these will last longer then they say I have a pair of Skechers I have worn everyday since Christmas and there finally failing apart I’m sure these are 10 times better
I have the Keen Flex work boots for almost a year. They have been great. Made in the USA. I will say their shoelaces wear out faster than anything on the boot.
I'm impressed that they came up with that flex solution. Simple idea that seems to solve a big problem. Might consider these for my next hiking shoes...
I like my KEEN San Jose and I do body work/ ride motorcycles and they are holding up pretty good for being made in India. Nothing against and of my Indian friends but they are a American company and would be nice to see them made in America. But they are light and decently built for the price.
Glad to finally see something keen on this chanel :D
I hope you reveiw more keen shoes/boots in the future !
@Roseanvil , I just had a pair of "expensive" boots with what i found out was a fake stitch after having been on a ski vacation where the temps hit -20 C, and the sole started to detach from the boot. Temps might be a good test for the glue on boots to see if they hold up or if stitching is much more important
I just got my first pair of keens! Their the Milwaukee work boot and I really like em so far, good for what I do
Seeing you had finally cut open a hiking boot had me at Moctober levels of excitement. I've worn Keen Durands for the past 5 years and they are the only boot I'll ever hike in. Maybe a hiking boot series?? Would love to see if their built in USA line differs at all from their imported products in terms of materials used or build quality. Awesome review!!
I love my keen walking boots don't have this modle but they are a great wider hiking boot
500miles is really not a lot of testing...
Especially for a person like me, who does about 60 miles of walking per week....
But nonetheless great video, and it's really cool to see some inovation 👌
500 miles is far more than most people will ever walk in them.
Would love to see more hiking and outdoor boots. Maybe the Danner Mountain Lights or the Chippewa boots you have.
For a modern work boot to review, you might want to look into Haix. They're a German brand that caters mostly to emergency services and the logging industry, but I have a pair of composite toe boots from then that are very innovative compared to any of my other work boots (Red Wings and Thorogoods, plus lots of cheap brands over the years).
Yes, I've been wanting a review on these boots for a while. I have pair of the Eagle 2.0 and so far they've been great.
I absolutely love my Portland's from keen. They are the first gen of the keen bellows. I have had them for a year and between the flex and the carbon fiber toe, they are sooo comfortable. And vary durable. They have held up to nearly a year of daily wear on a construction site with plenty of life left.
My only problem is the flex part doesn't insulate as well in the winter.
While I watch the video it looks like the newer models may account for the insulation problem with the backing.
To address his problem with the liner, they are sooo warm in the winter. Not counting the flex. But I have found that the man made materials hold up vary well.
They also have many other models that I have worn over the last 4 years or so. As well as their other shoes, and I have found that their shoes last a vary long time. Their isn't a lot to them to go wrong.
Ps their materials are mostly ethically sourced and environmentally friendly.
I've had my keen brixen shoes for 10 years, best winter shoe I have, only downside is they're a low top and thicker snow tends to be a problem, but thankfully I don't work outside
I'll wear out my sole twice on my redwings before the leather gives
Damn right
Lal
I've killed cheap shet and the so called leather is still keeping up
Red wing boots are the best I bought for 15 years straight then they changed the boot a few years ago I hated them been wearing keens ever since I'm impressed
@@tonyyingling6804 you sound like a keens representative wtf lmao
Hi there! Wanted to let you know that after watching this video..I decided to buy the boots.. I really like them..and they are my go to for many activities during the weekends. Thank you..
Hello Weston.
If possible, make a combat boot series 👍👍
I have wide feet and have owned many pair of Keen work boots. My issues with them is the sole is all glued layers, eventually the lugs fail. The second is too much padding, they make my feet sweat.
They are shaped to fit my wider foot, and they use an asymmetrical safety toe. Generally, I don't have any rubbing with the steel toe.
Never heard anything bad about keens, this is the first look inside them I had. thanks for making great content.
It is interesting that they improved the top. My keens have always failed at the sole first. Split always forms in between the lugs
I literally had this idea when I was a kid its crazy to see how someone else did it, mine would have been different tho.
I had a pair of Koflach boots with a bellows toe section like that, in 1986 ... There's nothing new except what has been forgotten
Can you look into Redwing's Zero-G Lite safety toe shoe boot thingies? I'm looking at buying a pair and want to know what you think of them :)
It’s a niche market but I did a lot of mountaineering, ice climbing etc. Back in the day. I’d be interested in seeing some La Sportiva, Scarpa, or Asolo boots cut in half.
Zamberlan Vioz!
You changed the way I see shoes and more broadly other consumer products. Your videos remind me of the magic school bus where you take us beyond the outer layer and the often pretty looks of the shoes and show us what's really inside them. Thanks for your fantastic content.
I'd love to see more videos on hiking boots and possibly a brand comparison video. There are so many brands out there with similar designs and promises.
This was great -- I'd love to see a few more hiking boots by companies like Salomon, The North Face, Zamberlain, etc. I know you did the Danner moc toes, but it would also be great to see their more classic hiking boots such as the Mountain Lights.
I'm sure some people will be happy with them, but to me they look extremely gimmicky, and definitely not for work. Based on past experience, I'll only buy Keen shoes or boots when they're deeply discounted. I had Keen sandals that made my feet stink worse than any other footwear I've ever owned, and I have a pair of Made in USA Keen shoes that are okay, but nothing that makes me long to put them on.
That flex point is horse shit. If you properly condition leather and brush debris off from time to time it will outlast that rubber 10 fold.
@@JohnEZang yeah, all I see at the flex area are multiple failure points that don't exist on any other boot.
Exactly what I thought from the jump. Gimmicky
I have a pair of Keen work boots that I had to buy (only boots in my size that fit workplace requirements at the only store my employer would repay) and they are the most uncomfortable shoes I've ever worn.
I have a pair of keen San Jose work boots that you can cut in half if you want them. They are about a year old and I had some sole separation so I got replacements.
So, with the new tech you get roughly half the steps of the Wolverine 1000 Mile. I’ll stick with full leather uppers and proper welting. I was a Keen fan, primarily because of the toe box and toe wrap, but due to lack of durability I had to move on to others
1000 mile is the model name, not some sort of guarantee. The leather or butyl soles would probably wear out before that, and then you're looking at like $400+ total cost. Nobody is saying that these will automatically fail at 500 miles either. That was an accelerated wear test bench, not real world testing. Even if they did break at 500 miles, they're less than half the price, more water proof, more grippy, and more comfortable. I'd say they have their place and I'd pick these over 1000 miles for actual hiking any day.
Just ordered a pair of these on Amazon I found for $81, seemed like a great deal.
This is a huge opportunity for you to get with Keen and design a Moc Toe that uses this technology. Finding a way to hide the rubber, or embrace it. And make a Keen Rubber Safety Moc Toc that will last. And great creative with both the Wedge Rubber and Their standard aggressive rubber soles which could be alot of fun.
Ah, so you HAVE reviewed these boots already! I just saw an ad for them yesterday and was interested. A lot of their reviews complained about their leather quality and outsole quality so I'm interested in seeing this review, THANK YOU!
Would have loved to see you do a video of the Vasque ( a Redwing company) Sundowner. Especially the Italian version which was discontinued years ago. Now they are made somewhere where the labor is much cheaper.
I have had a number of keen products and I would say that the quality is well above average.
That. is. genius. Thoughtful and practical design, and price is not bad either. Bookmarking this to get a pair later on during summer.
I've been hiking with this boot for a year. I love 'em for cold environments and they're easy on your feet when decensing on a slope. They over heat like hell, but this is in no way a Summer boot.
I ordered a pair of the low cut. I feel based on what i’am getting for comfort from their work boot the Ridge Flex system is worth a try.🇺🇸🐻
Man, with a wide foot and just getting my first pair of keens ( Pittsburg soft toe) I'm hooked. I could sleep in these things.
Nice to see a hiker deconstructed! Just like when you compared a bunch of moc toes across brands, you'll find hiking boots to be designed to a different set of requirements than work/fashion boots. As JR mentions in another comment, traction is king, along with waterproof breathability (hence the Goretex-style liner). Mountaineering boots escalate in price along with features like a rigid sole/shank (for mounting cramp-on spikes and other traction equipment), maintaining light weight (for miles of hiking), and preserving comfort while trading off these requirements. Would be great to compare these Keens to Oboz Bridgers (my favorite mid-range hiker) or a more robust mountaineering boot like the La Sportiva Trango GTX.
EE width. I wear Keene steel/composite toe shoes at work. A wide toe box is very important when you have a reinforced toe box. Before we had Keene available to us I tried some Timberlands. I could feel the reinforcement. I think I wore them them for a week.
Why do you cut the laces?
I started buying g keens after dozens of pairs of red wings Thurgood and tims.... I'll never ever go back. I cant remember the name of mine but they have no leather which is great for throwing salt in the winter. I just hose them off and I'm on my way.
🎶And aaaaayyyyyyyiiiiiiiiiii would walk five hundred miles
And aaaaayyyyyyyiiiiiiiiiii would walk five hundred more....
Would love to see you cover the Keens hitting that traditional style, like the San Jose
The new Salomon quest 4 gtx. Cut it in half! Would love to see what is inside that bad boy
In one single pair boots a lot of technologies . I like KEEN for this. So, I'm have two pair boots ,one dressboot Red Wing Merchant and for hiking KEEN Flex.
I usually hike in Vasque hiking boots. Tried a pair of Keen Terradora (sp?) as a casual hiker for in town trails, and the fabric around the toe box didn't even last one season without tearing. I was very disappointed, tried them on recommendation of others in the hiking group. I did love the toe room.
Been using a pair of Keen winter boots for two seasons now, and I've come to realize that I cannot go back to narrow toe shoes. I used to get so annoyed with my toe pressing against the side of the shoe, but with these it's all gone
With Hiking boots performance probably matters more than longevity. They get hammered from all directions so even a good pair has never lasted me more than a couple of years.
I stand woefully corrected...PC 2600 ,AT 2200 MILES..I love my KEENS 2 ankle slips on one the boot shown old style...500 miles gotta buy new boots or go to a cobbler probably won't have rubber inserts...
KEEN needs to use that "I'm Gonna Be (500 miles)" song to market these
I wear keens to work everyday. I love them
I want to buy the shoes but I was unsure of the product.
The video convinced me to buy it
Thanx😎🍻
Please do the Jim Green slip on
I love Keen boots. Great review, as always..Thank you!
Keens make size 17 so I buy them but the often squeak because all the layers come unglued (and they deny ~ won't warranty them). Expensive disposable boots but it's either custom made (I have Limmers), New Balance, Dunham or Keen for mail order shoes. Nobody stocks 17s.
Thank you for reviewing some hiking boots! I would love to see you do your thing on some Hanwag doublestitched boots.
Can you do a boot more working Joe's can afford?
Timberland pros Endurance and boondocks?
Maybe some wolverine durashocks, something around that price range.
As a guy with wider feet, I resisted buying keens for YEARS, because I wasn’t a fan of the toe cap.... after buying a pair, I can’t go back to other boots. I’ll deal with an ugly toecap for the amazing comfort in the toe box
The wide toebox , the proprietary flex point at the front of the shoe and the almost flat inner sole of the Keen boot makes me think that this is the closest thing to a “barefoot” hiking boot - I know, it sounds kind of like an oxymoron. I could probably make the normal spring in the walk even springier if I put a tad of an arch support - that way, my walk would be more efficient and I would expend less energy in my foot muscles while walking in these boots. Since I’m not a big gal, I like the thought of diverting more energy toward the muscles responsible in holding up a pack.
Abid. I have a total different experience. Bought keen. They are heavy, that's o.k. but there is written
_ 40 f -40 c . That attracted me. But
There is no insolation for toes. 40 degree F make you feel cold toes..
This is so cool! Keen makes amazing stuff. Could you do some videos on hiking boots? Deep diving into what constitutes a good, comfortable, durable hiking boot?
The problem I see with these is the same issue as the ones I bought a year ago the multiple layer of materials become detached from each other on the soles. Leaving the shoe with a web type of rubber hanging from the bottom after around a year worth of use. This was my concern when buying them, they have been a good shoe up till then worn 6 days a week 8+ hrs. Other problem with mine is the stitching between layers of leather.
Excellent video. I'm glad Keen let you do this video. Awesome material 👏🏻
I don't have any Keen boots, but I like their sandals.
I just ordered the Keen Kansas City plus which is a carbon fiber toe keen boot with a bellows. I’m eager to see how they rank against my other keens.
Can you please do a boot tear down on Salomon hiking boots. Great channel, keep up the good work.
I recently tried these and they failed after a few days of use. The bellows on both shoes split across the rubber. Super comfortable but had to move the all leather version. Less comfort but will probably last years.
Did they snag on something?