How Revolutionary are these new Hiking Shoes?
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 3 окт 2024
- #camping #campervans #ebikes
Keen walking shoes and boots have been around for a number of years and the WK400 is their latest 'concept shoe.' The history of walking boots and shoes has been laced with claims of breakthroughs and revolutionary designs so is this new design from Keen as revolutionary as has been suggested? I've been finding out.
I'm based in the Scottish Highlands and I use a VW campervan to access the great outdoors, where I climb hills, ride my e-bike or gravel bike and just visit some of those places I've never been to. I've been climbing hills and mountains all over the world for 50 years and I'm a former editor of Climber Magazine and The Great Outdoors Magazine.
www.keenfootwear.com
I've discovered a TPU Overlay is a Thermoplastic Polyurethane coating that is resistant to dirt and oils and is elastic and transparent.
Keen WK400 walking shoes - £120-130.
![My First Impressions on the KEEN Ridge Flex [and Why I Hate Hiking Boots]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/AWqMtxS6Hbs/mqdefault.jpg)
![My First Impressions on the KEEN Ridge Flex [and Why I Hate Hiking Boots]](/img/tr.png)
Your review of the WK450 would be appreciated.
Quality vid - and charmed by the 'all the boots i've known and loved'! Cheers Cameron, great job
I think if the V lugs on the heel were reversed there would be better traction on descents?
The soles look like they are designed for maximum traction going forward on flat ground.
It's seems common on most of my footwear designed specifically for hills to have the tread reversed on the heel to give some grip in the opposite direction and it can help on wet rock as well.
You've probably been through more shoes and boots than I ever will, so wondered what you thought about that?
Absolutely brilliant work bud, you presented this masterfully!
I think we all started with boots from the Army and Navy stores. I then moved on to a pair of 3/4 length steel shanked Hawkins Cairngorms. I still have them but too small now. They weigh a ton but didn't seem heavy at the time. I also had a pair of plastic shell boots.
Brasher boots and KSB were an eye opener but I still preferred leather for years and still have a pair of Grisport crusaders.
Now I have a pair of Salomon Quest boots but have also worn out a few pairs of Salomon X ultra shoes, especially for French GRs.
I prefer a decent sole and I also like waterproof ones. I haven't got into the US fashion of getting wet feet. The Salomon's suit. I broke most of the bones in the base of my foot. Youthful hi-jinks jumping into the snow but hitting a stone in the arch. All that is fused now and sometimes twinges.
Those keens look like they would be great for coastal or canal French GR walks. I may have to give them a try.
Hawkins Cairngorms were my first "real boot". I only threw them out last year after covering over 3000 miles. Great boots.
@@alangauld6079 Yeah. Great boots indeed. I got mine resoled a couple of times. They are heavy compared to today's though. Mine cost me 120 quid in 1984. That was where my grant money went.
@@BrokenBackMountains £120?! I was only £40 in 1978. That's 70s inflation at work...
@@alangauld6079 Yeah, a pint was between 50 and 80p so they were expensive but they are still usable 40 years later. My Salomons had to be chucked after about 1500 km as they can't be resoled and they cost about the same.120 quid for 40 years service or 140 quid for 3.
Nice chat about footwear but I must add that following an ankle injury twenty years ago I deffo need the ankle support of a leather boot for backpacking on rough terrain reserving walking shoes for easy walks.
My first pair of good boots were Italian Trento 108s back in the 70s I remember investigating the inside of the left one before I chucked it out and discovered I’d been walking around with a flat and very dead slug in it for quite some time!
Excellent video Cameron - I particularly liked the potted history of your boots through the years. What I would be really interested in would be your thoughts on leather verses fabric uppers for boots, and the waterproof values of these two options.
At the end of the day I would probably go for a leather boot but only for winter use. I don't use boots the rest of the year much preferring a trail shoe. And you don't get many leather trail shoes unfortunately. Waterproofing isn't that important to me either, I don't mind wet/damp feet but I do hate when my feet overheat, as they tend to do in boots that have waterproof linings. In my experience such linings don't last long anyway.
Hi I’m waiting for the same Toe Fusion you had so great video for me. I also have slight foot drop on the other foot. I’ve built up to a 2 mile each way walk to work 3 days a week, but I’m having to wear very soft trainers. I’ve always been a barefoot kind of person but am having to seriously rethink my views. Wondering if these shoes would help with the walking mechanics of my foot drop. Not looking for a definitive answer just your opinion. Once again thanks for your content and I’m working my way through your videos.
As usual a narration that is easy to listen to from a man that has researched his subject and can recall many years of knowledge to back that up. If I was in the market for such a product you would have sold the concept to me but if and when I go to the hills this Autumn it will be on two wheels with a large battery.
Lots of good info! Thanks
Thank goodness that lightweight boots and shoes have developed and taken over from big heavy boots of old. Not sure I’d still be getting out on the hill if I only had my Galibier Super Guides of old!! My only problem with boots like Keens or Salomons is their longevity - I rarely get more than a year out of them and they aren’t cheap.
The thicker sole logically should be better as they will absord more of the impact placed on the foot when walking.
Also worth a note there is a leather edition and a full WP with KEEN.DRY for AW23 - the textured TPU on the upper gives additional protection and structure in high wear areas
Interesting stuff and very timely as I need a new pair of trail shoes. I use to have the original suede Brasher boots and they were fabulous (I still use them for gardening!). I had them resoled twice and covered nearly 2000 miles in them including two "Ultimate Challenge" walks in the 80s and about 1/3 of the Munros. I'm now wearing Merrell boots(still prefer them on the tops) but doing more low level treks so the Keens might tempt me.
Interesting indeed, especially the rocking sole which reminded me of my gym teacher repeatedly shouting “ heel ball toe” as we ran around the playing field. I’d like to find a retailer who stock the shoes to try instore.
A memorable pair of boots I was lucky enough to win ( in a TGO competition) were Jack Wolfskins. Really loved my “Jack Boots “
Thank you for sharing this video…I’m always looking for a good walking shoe. 🙏
I have been wearing my Meindle leather boots for years, recently I bought Scarpa Mescalito trk Planet gtx, they do seem a bit lighter, but not as good a fit, and not as easy to keep clean. I gave them an outing on Arkle and Cul Beag recently, maybe some more miles and they will feel better.
So many choices of boots its sometimes difficult to make the correct decision .Personally I can't see past Brashers boots, Comfy, hard wearing and light but each to there own .If they help your toe problem then good luck and happy walking.
These shoes look comfy. I had pair of Brasher boots decades ago which were very good for my wide toes area and narrow Achilles. They were like slippers from day one, soft but with enough protection for walking rough trails.
If I can find a stockist of these new ones from Keen I will try them on.
Sounds like a good idea for people with flat feet like me. I have custom made carbon fibre insoles to support my feet and take the weight off the ball off my feet.
I got the NXIS boots from Keen for 2022-23. Super comfortable with decent grip however the waterproof membrane could be a lot better imho. Long wet grass and or bog, you get wet feet quickly.
So many changes in boots. Must say I love my Hoka fell running shoes but love sandles too as my feet are always hot.
Interesting these rocker soles as the Sketcher brand did a walking shoes like this (claiming they worked your glutes)and reviews claimed they were very comfy.
I’ll be interested in how you get on with them.
Great video Cameron and great info, can you please tell me a bit a bout the sizing of these Keen walking Shoes, are they true to size? or possibly need a half size bigger/smaller? thanks Ian
I still have my old Scarpa ZG10’s I can’t bear to part with them.
I have two pairs of HOKA SpeedGoat 5’s and they’re the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever hiked in. Certainly much better than the Salomon I used to wear.
I've switched to Hoka's - Speedgoat and Anacapa's, the latter with goretex. Won't be rushing back to my Scarpa or Asolo shoes/boots any time soon. The Hoka's are the only shoes that have helped me get over plantar facistis.
Nothing beats leather boots once worn in, tried many synthetic shoes and walking boots not for me and heavy Vibram Soles to stop stones hurting feet.
Reminds me of the Maasi shoes that were popular a few years ago
Thank you for this, Cameron. Thanks to one of your previous videos I figured out I too had Hallux Limitis (the precursor to Rigidis) and that lead me to Hoka shoes a year ago. They have certainly been a god send as I can actually walk and run in them to some extent. But they are not the most attractive shoes and, more importantly, not the hardest wearing either. And while I don't mind bombing around on low ground in them I certainly don't feel confident of taking them into the high mountains. I have previously worn and loved Keen shoes and these certainly look better than the Hokas but I'm not so sure about your comment regarding how they feel while just standing there. But I am tempted to buy a pair and find out. I've been disappointed (fortunately in the shop before I bought anything) by other shoes with rocker soles which were no more comfortable than flatter shoes (I can take half a dozen paces in the wrong shoes and it hurts my toe) so, as always, buyer beware! And preferably try before you buy.
Zamberlan?
Great vid Cameron, never considered Keen for my trail shoes. Any recommended UK retailer?