Keen Terradora Waterproof Hiking Shoe Review

Words & Photos: Charlotte Fish

KEEN have been creating quality outdoor footwear since they started in 2003. They are constantly striving to better their products while reducing their impact on the environment.

The introduction of their Terradora Collection in 2017 saw a whole collection designed just for women, something that allowed us to hit the trails harder than we do the high street. Last year I was lucky enough for KEEN to invite me to Camp Wildfire to put a pair of their Terradora Waterproof Hiking Shoes to the test through an activity-packed weekend, here’s what I thought.

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Initial thoughts

When I first saw the shoe I liked the simple style of it, a clean, no-fuss design that I knew would be easy to clean up after muddy adventures. When I put the shoe on I was pleasantly surprised at the fit, whether right or wrong, I have always associated KEEN footwear with having quite a wide fit but this shoe hugged my average foot a little too much, once I had loosened off the laces all the way down to the toes and fastened them properly they were perfect.

How Did They Perform?

Grip 8/10

Over the weekend at Camp Wildfire i took part in many different activities on a range of different surfaces including running on dewy grass, climbing rope frames, walking along narrow wooden planks and a Dodgeball tournament in the forest. For each of these activities, I was confident that the All-Terrain rubber sole on these shoes would grip as I needed them to.

They were particularly effective at gripping on the forest floor whilst playing Dodgeball, a sport that requires constant rapid changes in direction in order to avoid getting hit, while I didn’t win at Dodgeball it definitely had more to do with my own personal fitness levels rather than the shoes I was wearing.

Materials & Construction 9/10

Upon inspection the shoe appears to be very well made, there are no stitching flaws or inconsistencies in the rubber rand or outsole. Inside the shoe is also tidy with the absence of any folds in the lining that might cause rubbing issues.

The KEEN.Dry membrane of the shoe was excellent at keeping my feet dry, allowing the sweat to evaporate from inside the shoe but also stopping any ingress of water from the outside of the shoe.

Comfort

I really liked how comfy these shoes were, they weren’t particularly soft or cloud-like but they just seemed to hug my foot in all the right places, I could walk comfortably on any terrain because I knew the shoe would protect my foot from feeling any sharp edges. This meant that I had total confidence in them so I could completely focus on my activities.

Stability

The stability of the shoe was particularly tested when playing a huge game of hide and seek in the forest. I was able to clamber over tree roots and fallen branches with as much confidence as I could muster in the aim of finding opponents without being found myself.

Aesthetics

I liked the look of the shoes as soon as I saw them, they are sleek and simple, giving you everything you need without the fuss of bells and whistles. This simple style makes them easy to clean between trips so you can be hiking through mud in the morning but then with a quick rinse in a puddle or stream and your good to go to the pub in them for dinner.

Overall verdict:

I really liked these shoes whilst at Camp Wildfire but have also used them a lot since. From short walks on drizzly evenings to outdoor boot camp classes down at the park to longer lakeside trails on finer days, they really have been my go-to pair for anything that doesn’t require a full boot.