Keen has designed the Koven specifically for warmer season hiking. Nevertheless this shoe still features Keen’s renowned sturdy looks and build quality, despite being at the budget end of their range of trail shoes.
The uppers are made from a good looking and comfortable leather and breathable mesh combination. Although this is water resistant it won’t keep your feet dry in very wet conditions, which is worth bearing in mind if you plan to be hiking in especially damp/wet locations.
You also get Keen’s trademark toe bumper and an equally tough heel rand to protect both your feet and the uppers. Underneath there’s a TPU stability shank and compression-moulded EVA midsole for underfoot support.
Both heel and forefoot cushioning feels good on the Koven, and the non-marking outsole and multi-directional, rugged 4mm lugs provide reassuring grip, especially in the dry conditions they’re designed for.
It’s worth pointing out that we found the sizing a little big when wearing the thinner summer socks you’ll be using with the Koven. So you may want to consider dropping down half a size – no big deal, particularly considering the fact that the Koven is comfy straight out of the box so will require no real breaking in. This isn’t the lightest of the trail shoes we have tested but it’s certainly well-built and good value for money.
