ActiveHiking & WalkingKeen NXIS Evo Mid hiking boot review: big, bad and really rather comfortableComfort to the fore with the Keen NXIS Evo Mid Boot. Here’s our review of this aggressively styled hikerWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Mark Mayne)T3 VerdictAggressive and probably divisive styling aside, the Keen NXIS Evo mid hiking boot is comfortable, breathable and responsive. A great summer hiker for most occasions.Reasons to buy+Comfortable+Responsive+Good heel controlReasons to avoid-Little side protectionWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
ActiveHiking & WalkingKeen NXIS Evo Mid hiking boot review: big, bad and really rather comfortableComfort to the fore with the Keen NXIS Evo Mid Boot. Here’s our review of this aggressively styled hikerWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Mark Mayne)T3 VerdictAggressive and probably divisive styling aside, the Keen NXIS Evo mid hiking boot is comfortable, breathable and responsive. A great summer hiker for most occasions.Reasons to buy+Comfortable+Responsive+Good heel controlReasons to avoid-Little side protectionWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Comfort to the fore with the Keen NXIS Evo Mid Boot. Here’s our review of this aggressively styled hiker
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Mark Mayne)T3 VerdictAggressive and probably divisive styling aside, the Keen NXIS Evo mid hiking boot is comfortable, breathable and responsive. A great summer hiker for most occasions.Reasons to buy+Comfortable+Responsive+Good heel controlReasons to avoid-Little side protection
(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
T3 VerdictAggressive and probably divisive styling aside, the Keen NXIS Evo mid hiking boot is comfortable, breathable and responsive. A great summer hiker for most occasions.Reasons to buy+Comfortable+Responsive+Good heel controlReasons to avoid-Little side protection
T3 VerdictAggressive and probably divisive styling aside, the Keen NXIS Evo mid hiking boot is comfortable, breathable and responsive. A great summer hiker for most occasions.
T3 Verdict
Aggressive and probably divisive styling aside, the Keen NXIS Evo mid hiking boot is comfortable, breathable and responsive. A great summer hiker for most occasions.
Reasons to buy+Comfortable+Responsive+Good heel controlReasons to avoid-Little side protection
Reasons to buy+Comfortable+Responsive+Good heel control
Comfortable
Responsive
Good heel control
Reasons to avoid-Little side protection
Little side protection
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Keen NXIS Evo Mid deals
$180$69.96View$136.95$122.95View$129.95View
$180$69.96View
$180$69.96View
$180$69.96View
$180$69.96
$69.96
$136.95$122.95View
$136.95$122.95View
$136.95$122.95View
$136.95$122.95
$122.95
$129.95View
$129.95View
$129.95View
$129.95
$129.95
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The Keen NXIS Evo mid boot claims to be an upgraded, fast hiking boot with a ‘running shoe feel’ and an engineered knit upper. The styling is more aggressive than you’d find in most of today’sbest hiking boots, but how do they perform on a trek?We put a pair to the test to find out. Read on for our Keen NXIS Evo mid hiking boot review.
These are available in men’s and ladies' fits, but for more options there, check out our guide to thebest hiking boots for women.
Keen NXIS Evo mid boot review: design
The design of the Keen NXIS Evo mid boot is typical Keen - broad of toe-box, deep of sole, with plenty of neat touches to elevate it beyond more budget-conscious competitors. As with many lightweight boots, the Keen NXIS Evo mid boot has gone with an engineered knit upper, backed with Keen’s own ‘Keen Dry’ waterproof membrane to keep the weather out. There are small areas of TPU reinforcement around the lace loops, and the high-wear areas of the toe and a stiffening section on the gusseted tongue.
The penultimate lace hole is part of a KonnectFit heel-capture system, in practice a cradle of plastic and cord that links laces behind the achilles at the rear, and down into the sole at the bottom. The idea being to clamp the heel tightly and prevent heel lift. A further gesture in this heel-control theme is an internal bolster, neatly labelled ‘Heel Lock’, just to dispel any confusion about its purpose.
(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
Keen NXIS Evo mid boot review: comfort and performance
(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
The ride is certainly pretty plush, the midsole offering a fair amount of energy return for a walking boot, and a chunky removable insole also amping up the squishiness factor. The sole unit is trainer-flexible lengthways, resulting in immediate comfort straight out of the box, but laterally it’s surprisingly stiff, good news for the more adventurous walker. There’s very little weight in each boot (417.9 grams), adding to a trainer-esque feel, and the low heel gives plenty of room for manoeuvre, especially welcome on steeper inclines.
(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
The chunky 4mm horseshoe-pattern tread does a solid job on the grippiness front, dealing with mud and wet grass with ease. It’s quite happy on harder surfaces too, refusing to break traction on surfaces ranging from gravel to greasy tarmac. The big compromise here is protection around the foot, not such a surprise given the light weight and running shoe design heritage. There’s a section of sole that wraps up and around the toe, creating a welcome buffer against toe-stubbage, but the sides of the foot have to manage with simple TPU overlays. This is fine for light walking, footpaths and the odd Sunday ramble, but anything more dramatic will throw up challenges.
(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
Keen NXIS Evo mid boot review: verdict
The Keen NXIS Evo mid boot has a pretty aggressive look, which to be fair is borne out in practice. It gives a lightweight, fast, predictable ride, and feels very deft on the foot - thanks to the lack of weight and slimline profile. Comfort is very good, the broad foot and dropped heel making for a plush and friendly experience.
Although the toe protection is pretty decent for a lightweight mid boot, side protection is the main thing you’re losing out on, making the Keen NXIS Evo mid boot great for footpaths and similar tracks, but less ideal for striking out into the wilderness. As a relatively breathable summer rambler though, there’s plenty to like here.
Keen NXIS Evo Mid : Price Comparison
$180$69.96View$136.95$122.95View$129.95View$190$132.99View$190$132.99View
$180$69.96View
$180$69.96View
$180$69.96View
$180$69.96
$69.96
$136.95$122.95View
$136.95$122.95View
$136.95$122.95View
$136.95$122.95
$122.95
$129.95View
$129.95View
$129.95View
$129.95
$129.95
$190$132.99View
$190$132.99View
$190$132.99View
$190$132.99
$132.99
$190$132.99View
$190$132.99View
$190$132.99View
$190$132.99
$132.99
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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