KEEN Men's Nxis Evo Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots

Product Information

Features of the Keen NXIS EVO Waterproof Boots Uppers Made from KEEN.DRY, the waterproof, breathable membrane lets vapour out without letting water in. The upper is PFC-free and seems to be durable, so far. TPU overlays in the heel, toe, and lacing areas add a bit of stability to the stretchy mesh upper and provide a defence against abrasion. Having said that these aren’t highly durable hiking shoes. They’re much better used in the spring, summer, and autumn months when you won’t be clogging up the mesh and ventilation holes with mud.

The styling is not particularly to my taste. The split toe design is a little bulky and looks a little strange being split across the big toe. I think this would look a lot better if it were one continuous toe protector. I’m also not a huge fan of the general colour design, with the grey soles contrasting with the red writing. With generous space for toes to spread out, the toe box also offers high levels of protection around and under the front of the foot. The split toe design is a bit of a curve-ball on the classic Keen bumper design. Cushioning Materials: Performance mesh upper with TPU overlays, KEEN.DRY waterproof & breathable membrane, speed-lace webbing system, breathable textile lining, removable PU insole, compression-molded EVA midsole, KEEN.ALL-TERRAIN rubber outsole The upper is perfectly constructed to offer great stability with superb comfort. It features a thin gauge 3D knit-like mesh that runs around all the flex points of the shoe, including at the forefoot. This conforms brilliantly to the flexing of the shoe during walking. It doesn’t bunch up and fold like other walking shoe material can, therefore it doesn’t cause any hotspots or blisters. It also has loads of diamond-shaped ventilation holes punched into it which means that this shoe is perfect for the summer.

Keen NXIS EVO Waterproof Boots: The stats

One feature I am particularly impressed by is the waterproofing. The membrane runs throughout the boot which means you can submerge your feet in water up to the heel line and stay 100% dry. I have only been wearing these boots for a couple of months so it is difficult to make a comment on durability – they do, however, look well-built and have a high-quality feel. Versatility They are lightweight, nimble, 100% waterproof and a super comfy cushioned sole. What I don’t love so much about the Keen NXIS EVO Waterproof Boots The Keen NXIS EVO Mid walking boots’ KonnectFit heel capture system really enhances the fit and gives you confidence on ascents and descents (Image credit: Pat Kinsella)

These are some of the strangest looking but most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. They’re comfortable not just in terms of hiking shoes, but shoes in general. This makes them brilliant for things like active adventure travel and general everyday wear, especially if you need a slightly more robust shoe with a bit of grip. Unfortunately our testing period for NXIS EVO has been right throughout winter, so we can’t comment too much on the breathability. We certainly haven’t had any issues on that front though and, given the amount of mesh across the upper, we’d be very surprised if clamminess was an issue with these. At the front, the TPU overlay gives way to a classic Keen chunky toe bumper. On the NXIS Speed, the toe bumper has a V-shaped cut-out in the middle which makes for a bit of a bizarre look, like the foot of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. Aside from this, the NXIS Speed is a good-looking, if unusual shoe. Disclaimer: Cool of the Wild received this product free in return for an honest review. We only recommend gear that we love from companies we trust and we are under no obligation to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are that of the reviewer and we are in no way influenced by the brand or company. The NXIS Evo boots have a speed-lace webbing system with top collar hooks for a comfortably snug fit. Toe box

Should You Buy the KEEN NXIS EVO Waterproof?

I have always worn 3/4 season leather walking boots which are perfect for my winter walks across Dartmoor but less well suited to long summer days on trails. I was therefore delighted to get the opportunity to try out these EVO boots from Keen. The Keen NXIS EVO Waterproof Boots are best for 3 season trail walking and come in all sizes, for men and women. I am hugely impressed by these boots. I love their low weight, excellent grip, high levels of comfort and waterproofing. I also think that they are very reasonably priced, given their quality and comfort and especially being waterproof. The waterproof membrane certainly does its job. We particularly like that the tongue is gusseted from top to bottom and the membrane extends right throughout it meaning you can pretty much submerse these boots right up to the top of the ankle cuff before water starts seeping in.

The boots’ first outing was a cold February day out on Dartmoor. I was able to wear the boots straight out of the box with no rubbing or hot spots on my feet. The boots proved extremely comfortable – you can really feel the cushioning in the sole – and they genuinely feel light and flexible enough to run in. Despite the room for my toes (likely too much space if you have narrow feet) my heel was held comfortably and there was no heel rubbing on steep ascents. Performance I thought I’d ease myself into this test, opting for a pretty gentle dog walk at first. Nothing too heavy, just a stride around the local woods on reasonably flat ground in the Plain of Vic, Catalunya.