Last Updated: May 30, 2022
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Keen Koven Hiking Shoes Review (Get Ready For Spring)

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Keen Koven Hiking Shoes

If you need lightweight hiking shoes that are versatile and also waterproof, the Keen Koven is a great idea. View Latest Deal

Keen Koven WP shoes are hiking shoes available for both men and women. These waterproof, lightweight shoes are an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities.

Most hiking shoes are actually boots, which is why Keen Kovens stand out. They actually look and feel more like sneakers, which makes them great hiking shoes for warmer weather.

In this review, we’ll take a look at some of the key features of these shoes as well as their overall performance.

So, sit back and enjoy, our detailed review of the Keen Koven hiking shoe! (I know, it’s just a review, but we like to think they can be fun).

Materials

KEEN Women's Koven Hiking Shoe,Dark Earth/Capri Breeze,9 M US

The upper part of Keen Koven hiking shoes is made of leather and mesh. The mesh allows the shoes to breathe, and the leather helps keep the shoes waterproof.

These shoes also feature the KEEN.DRY waterproof membrane, which does a really good job at keeping water out of the shoes. Additionally, such waterproof membranes also help let the sweat out, which is great when things start to get hot and sweaty. No shoe is perfect though, so you will still sweat in them, just less than a waterproof shoe without a membrane.

The outsole of the shoes is made of non-marking rubber, which actually enhances their flexibility. This type of outsole makes them suitable for activities other than hiking or climbing, such as playing tennis or even jogging.

Also, what makes these shoes great for many different activities is their weight. At only 1.1 pounds, you will not even notice them on your feet.

Comfort

KEEN Women's Koven Hiking Shoe,Dark Earth/Capri Breeze,9 M US

These shoes tend to be comfortable straight out of the box. You’ll need little to no time to break them in, and that is a big plus in my opinion. There’s nothing worse than getting excited about wearing your new shoes for the first time and then ending up with painful blisters.

The Keen Koven is also equipped with a removable EVA footbed. It is good that it’s removable because it apparently provides very little arch support. I say apparently because some customers did complain about this, but others were perfectly happy with the amount of arch support of these shoes. I guess it depends if you have a flat foot or not, or are used to arch support.

Either way, you can easily replace them (which I always do, as I wear custom inserts and hate having to rip out the manufacturer’s ones when they are glued in). So, if you usually need a lot of arch support in shoes, you should probably invest in a better footbed, if you don’t have one already. If, on the other hand, you only need these shoes for some light hiking or walking, you’re good to go with the EVA one.

Another thing to note is since this is a short-cut hiking shoe there is no real ankle support. Depending on what you are looking for, that could be both a good and a bad thing. Personally, I would not wear them in rough or rocky terrain. I use my more ankle-supporting boots for that. Otherwise, you end up rolling your ankle, which either hurts (at best) or sprains it (at worst). So keep that in mind.

Sizing

KEEN Women's Koven Hiking Shoe,Dark Earth/Capri Breeze,9 M US

The biggest problem with these shoes is that they are not true to size. They tend to run small, so I suggest that you go a size up when you order them.

However, one issue with going a size up is that they might be too wide. Some customers did complain about the width of the shoe, so that is something to take into consideration.

My suggestion is to either try them on in a store or order a couple of sizes on Amazon and return the ones that don’t fit. With all the free shipping available these days, it’s really no big deal.

Practicality & Usage

KEEN Women's Koven Hiking Shoe,Dark Earth/Capri Breeze,9 M US

In terms of practicality, the shoes have a lace loop on the heel, so they are very easy to slip on and off. The stretchable laces will also save you some time while putting these on since they remove all the hassle of tying and untying laces. And don’t we all hate the hassle of sitting down and tying our shoes! (I do, anyway)

These shoes are waterproof, so we already know that they’re great for spring and fall, when that unpredictable rain always comes. It’s during these rainy seasons where you’ll probably see the most benefit out of your Keen Koven.

As they are not insulated, it makes them great for summer, but not so great for winter. I believe this is a good thing because there are so many insulated hiking shoes out there that it is kind of hard to find one that you can actually wear in the heat of the summer (without sweating like crazy in them!).

If you were thinking of using these as a winter shoe, I’m sorry to disappoint you. These are not going to cut it

Instead, you should check out the North Face Back to Berkeley hiking shoes, as these are a great option for colder weather.

Performance

KEEN Women's Koven Hiking Shoe,Dark Earth/Capri Breeze,9 M US

Keen Koven shoes are versatile shoes, and this might save you some money in the long run. They are so lightweight that you can wear them for tennis, or even for some light jogging in the rain.

They are, however, primarily hiking shoes. So naturally, they are specifically designed for this purpose. They are also a great option for family outings, camping, and light hikes.

I wouldn’t suggest wearing these if you want to take on difficult terrain. Streams and creeks could cause you problems because the shoes are low-cut and water could easily get in if it’s anything over ankle deep. Last but not least, I definitely don’t suggest wearing them in the snow.

Should You Get The Keen Koven Hiking Shoes?

Overall, the Keen Kovens look like a great hiking shoe. They are a good choice for outdoor activities on all sorts of terrain. And, If you need lightweight hiking shoes that are also waterproof, this is a great purchase.

KEEN Men's Koven Waterproof Hiking Shoe, Magnet/Gargoyle, 8 M US
  • Hiking shoe featuring breathable-mesh upper with waterproof leather overlays and front/back pull loops
  • Padded tongue and collar
  • Removable EVA footbed
  • Compression molded EVA midsole
  • Tetra polyurethane stability shank

You’ll get a lot of use out of these March through November (maybe even November through March, depending on where you live), and they won’t let you down when it really starts to pour. Something a lot of wanna-be hiking shoes suffer from.

Another reason to get these shoes is their versatility. You could wear these for playing tennis, or for running around town doing errands. They are lightweight enough to be used on a daily basis, so, the possibilities are endless. (Well, technically they end when there’s snow on the ground, but you get my point.)

KEEN Women's Koven Hiking Shoe,Dark Earth/Capri Breeze,9 M US
  • Lace-up hiking shoe featuring leather and breathable mesh upper with padded collar and tetra polyurethane stability shank
  • Padded tongue and collar
  • Removable EVA footbed
  • Compression-molded EVA midsole
  • Multi-directional 4-mm lugs

There is one downside though: even though they’re waterproof, they’re also very short, which could (will) be a problem if you step in a deeper puddle of water (or stream). I wouldn’t recommend these shoes for more difficult terrain, especially if there is running water in the area.

However, if you are looking for a lightweight yet waterproof hiking shoe for warmer weather,  the Keen Koven may just be your next outdoor companion.

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