Keen Men's Ridge Flex Waterproof Hiking Boot

Product Information

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. 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. 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.

KEEN-parison: Which Targhee Hiking Boot? - KEEN Footwear KEEN-parison: Which Targhee Hiking Boot? - KEEN Footwear

The Ridge Flex is a lightweight walking boot that uses a combination of leather and synthetic mesh in its uppers.

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. Some might say the ideal hiking boot is one you don’t think about. Just a piece of gear. A tool used to reach an overlook or summit. Here at KEEN, we think that boots are more than that. A hiking boot is your connection to the outdoors. A means of getting out there, savoring the trail, enjoying this big beautiful ball we call planet Earth. 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. 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.

Keen Ridge Flex Boots: Full review - TGO Magazine

Fresh fact: Worried that those warm temps could result in stinky feet? Don’t sweat it! Targhee Vent boots are made with a breathable mesh lining and infused with pesticide-free Eco Anti-Odor that uses probiotic technology to naturally control odor. 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. The leather in the boots is from a Leather Working Group ethical source, and the durable water repellent treatment is PFC free. The Keen Ridge Flex also have a natural eco odour-control treatment. Its innovative and unique (as far as I know) feature is the Keen Bellows Flex section at the base of the laced part of the boot, which is a rubberised area linking the forefoot with the ankle section of the boot, at the point where it flexes during walking. There’s also a narrow bellows strip at the base of the ankle cuff. 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.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? There was certainly no digging in of the flex point to the foot, which has been a problem with some boots in the past.