Keen Men's Ridge Flex Waterproof Hiking Boot

Product Information

This comfortable boot is a great choice for hikers who desire an easy to use boot with no breaking in period, or for those who have wider feet and desire a wider fit. The innovative Keen.Bellows Flex makes it easier to flex this boot, making them something to consider for longer trail-based adventures. What Other Hiking Boots Should You Consider? Maybe I have a pair that has a defective peice of FLEX rubber in them..?. You do mention in your review that it is worringly thin, and that also crossed my mind when they arrived.. We’d certainly recommend trying these out before you buy (as with any boot), since although the Keen fit does suit a lot of people it won’t suit everyone – however, aside from this we have no reservations recommending the Ridge Flex as an excellent choice of hiking boot, whether hillwalking in the UK or trekking overseas. There were no surprises from the Ridge Flex during testing, with the fit and general feel of the boot being very familiar to us due to previous models that we’ve tested, such as the Targhee and Karraig. Although it’s a well-made boot that’ll stand up to rough trails and general abuse, the walking action is very easy due to the quite soft nature of the sole unit allied to the bellows flex feature. While we couldn’t put a precise number on the energy-saving properties of the bellows flex (let alone the 60% Keen claim) – we can confirm that the Ridge Flex feels light, comfortable and eminently capable of keeping your feet in good shape even after many hours of walking. Things we like about the boot include the well-padded ankle cuffs, which provide not just comfort but excellent support, especially when walking on uneven ground or going downhill. The midsole offers good cushioning, but not so much that you lose the feel of the terrain under foot.

Keen Ridge Flex WP Women - idealo Keen Ridge Flex WP Women - idealo

We even took the time to watch and document the lacing and tying support system of the Keen Ridge Flex. I am happy to report that none of the eyelets, hooks, straps or stitching have frayed or failed. Each time I lace these up for a hike or a day on my feet, I have complete confidence that my foot will stay securely where I intend it to be.

They are some of the most comfortable and lightweight boots I’ve owned including Lowa. I love them. If the issues with durability and fitness for use can be resolved I will be a convert. This heavy but nimble boot comes with a recommendation from Peter Macfarlane in his winter 2022/3 tests. Find out why. The Ridge Flex is a lightweight walking boot that uses a combination of leather and synthetic mesh in its uppers.

Keen Ridge Flex Boots: Full review - TGO Magazine

My first pair lasted around 10 months before they started to let in water. Partly via the uppers and a small delamination on the sole. These were replaced under warranty.There was certainly no digging in of the flex point to the foot, which has been a problem with some boots in the past. Keen says the boots have ‘million flex goodness’, which I calculate equates to about 1,500km or 932 miles, which will get you from John O’Groats to Land’s End, with a bit to spare. In terms of niggles, the only issue we’ve had so far was some slight fiddliness when lacing the boots up, as the top two pairs of eyelets are located very closely together. We suspect that the eyelets have been positioned as they are to allow a really secure fit of the boot’s ankle cuffs around the ankles, so despite it taking a second or two longer to tie the laces that we’d have liked (so impatient to get out on the trail as we are!), it’s definitely worth it for the extra secure fit you get as a result.

On test: Keen Ridge Flex Waterproof Hiking Boots reviewed

The membrane, combined with the leather in the uppers made the Ridge Flex Mid WPs feel quite warm, which was welcome on cool and cold days but less so on longer days when the temperature rose.

Bauer Consumer Media Ltd, Company number 01176085; Bauer Radio Limited, Company number: 1394141; Registered office: Media House, Peterborough Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6EA and H Bauer Publishing, Company number: LP003328; Registered office: The Lantern, 75 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PL Hard-wearing hiking boots that offer all-day comfort, plus the added benefits of Bellows Flex technology Pros and Cons Underfoot cushioning is good too, thanks to both a moulded EVA midsole and an insole with a generous helping of foam, particularly at the heel.

Keen Ridge Flex Mid WP Review | Tested by GearLab Keen Ridge Flex Mid WP Review | Tested by GearLab

The Bellows.Flex technology that features on the Ridge Flex and its sibling, the Tempo Flex, came as a result of Keen’s desire to make a boot that enables the user to use less energy when walking. Keen figured that quite a lot of energy is used when your heel lifts and the front of the boot flexes, and that over a period of a few hours this energy adds up considerably. Making the boot flex more easily at the forefoot would save a lot of this energy, but how to do it? The replacement pair have lasted just under 6 months before water ingress started to occur again. This time apparently through splits in the treads on the sole. The forefoot is wide and felt quite roomy. Volume is average. This suited my feet, but they may be less suitable if you have a narrow forefoot. As with all footwear, it’s best to try for fit before you buy.The boots really do flex very easily with virtually no resistance. I’ve worn trail shoes that are stiffer. I find them easy to walk in and certainly more comparable in comfort to a flexible trail shoe than to most boots. I guess they do save some energy, like all flexible lightweight footwear, though how much I can’t say. Although the panels are obvious from the outside, there’s no sensation of anything being different on the inside. There are no hard spots or unusual materials to feel uncomfortable on the foot; they feel like any pair of boots. That is, until you start to walk in them. Because you’re not fighting against the boot’s material each step feels smoother. KEEN claims that the Ridge Flex boots with KEEN.BELLOWS FLEX require 60% less energy to bend than similar boots. This is a difficult thing to quantify, but they certainly feel much easier to walk in than other brand-new-out-of-the-box boots.