Keen Seek Review: Yeah, You Could Say We’re Keen

Introduction to the Keen Seek

REESE: I briefly saw this shoe at the TrailCon/Western States expo. I simply saw it out of the corner of my eye, and I remember thinking, “Everyone is making a trail shoe these days.” Which, fair enough, it feels like more and more brands are dipping their toe into the proverbial trail running waters. Brands like Tracksmith and Rabbit come to mind. And now… Keen? The maker of the weird hiking sandals?

Over the years, they’ve been getting more into fashion collabs, so their foray into trail running is a bit of a surprise. Kind of, I guess. Brands don’t invest in a segment unless they expect to see a return; that is, it is a growing space with room for them to capture market share. Ah, yes, Economics 101. That’s a good thing, I suppose, to hear that trail running is growing in popularity. More people enjoying time outside in nature, as opposed to, say, doom-scrolling, is surely a good thing.

All that being said, creating a trail shoe is not as simple as adding lugs to an outsole and calling it good. In fact, many well-known brands in the space seem to be struggling to produce high-end shoes. We’ve seen smaller brands like La Sportiva and Arc’teryx drop some of our favorites, but big brands like Nike and Brooks seem to be stalling out a bit. So it’s a lofty task. My expectations were… lukewarm… for this shoe. Spoiler alert: Keen made a pretty nice trail shoe. Say what?

TAYLOR: While we’ve seen many a running brand take the adventure into the trail space, there have only been a few that identify as an outdoor brand that have taken their chances. Keen is the latest to have done so.

Living in a hiking town, I see Keen on people’s feet all the time. They’ve built a positive name for themselves because of their quality, durability, and comfort. So, that’s what I would expect as they bridge into the trail running category.

The Keen Seek is meant to be a general practitioner. It hits the middle with a lot of its specs, like a 4 mm lug depth, engineered mesh upper, and a supercritical Quantum Foam X. The only thing that really isn’t mid, but has become common, is the overall stack at 39/33 mm (6 mm drop).

So, for their first trail shoe, Keen entered dangerous territory, where many of the best modern trail running shoes reside. Like Reese will explain, I may not have taken them as seriously as I should have, but Keen’s first trail shoe has been a big surprise.

ALLISON: I haven’t seen much from Keen, especially in the performance trail shoe space, so when I came across the new Keen Seek, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Keen has always been known for their rugged hiking sandals and sturdy boots, which are solid and dependable, but not exactly the brand that comes to mind for lightweight trail performance.

My first thought was that this might be another brand’s half-hearted attempt to enter the trail running market, much like Merrell’s recent efforts. Merrell has been hit or miss over the years; sometimes they nail the balance between comfort and capability, and other times their designs feel more like lifestyle shoes with trail lugs slapped on. That track record has made me cautious when new outdoor brands attempt to enter the performance category. Still, I try to keep an open mind.

The Keen Seek might just surprise me. Maybe Keen has taken the time to learn from the competition, refine their materials, and bring something genuinely fresh to the table. Either way, I’m curious to see whether this shoe can live up to the brand’s heritage of durability.

What we like about the Keen Seek

REESE: I’m just going to sit here and eat humble pie. The Keen Seek is far better than I had expected. It’s not flashy, it’s not built for racing, it doesn’t have some crazy carbon plate or an aggressive rocker. But it is an all-around good shoe for daily runs. It’s a do-it-all workhorse of a shoe. Something that everyone needs in their shoe rotation. And Keen claims the shoes’ lifespan, as tested by Heeluxe, is “925 miles until worn smooth.” That’s a helluva shoe.

I have not run anywhere near that distance in these shoes, so it’s hard to independently confirm that stat. However, I can say that this shoe seems like its ingredients would last for a very long time. My pair barely looks worn. The outsole and midsole foam look like I’ve just taken the shoes out of the box.

Speaking of the outsole, it is pretty dang grippy. The 4 mm lugs are punching above their weight. I found that the outsole could find traction on just about any surface. Again, the claim is that this outsole can last 925 miles. Which is to say, this outsole is tough. What this shoe lacks in a rock plate, it makes up for with the indestructible lugs. I could tell that this shoe didn’t have a rock plate, but not in a bad way. The shoe just had more ground feel than many of the shoes I’ve been running in.

Looking at the tech sheet, Keen calls its supercritical midsole foam Quantum Foam X. I have no idea what that means, but it was a nice, not out-of-this-world, midsole. It felt like it had just a tiny bit of energy return, not a ton. This could be because of the beefy outsole or the lack of a noticeable rocker. Either way, I’m including the midsole in this section because I don’t feel like it got in the way of my run in any way. The main thing I like about this midsole is that it’s not crazy max stack. The shoe felt really stable on any terrain. Even though the base of the Keen Seek doesn’t feel particularly wide, I felt confident on technical bits of trail. The upper might need to be reworked if you’re on super technical trails, but for most runs, you’d probably be set with this shoe.

The upper on this shoe was comfortable and breathable; I didn’t feel like my feet got too hot, nor was it so breathable that I’d be worried about wearing them in the winter. The upper is nothing to write home about, but the fit is. I’m not a fan of wide shoes. Topo and Altra shoes feel like they have slip-and-slide toe boxes for me. This shoe had more room than I’d normally want, but if you’re someone who needs a wider toe box but has struggled to find a Goldilocks fit — something that gives you security and some room to breathe — the Keen Seek might be just the shoe you’ve been looking for.

TAYLOR: As Reese described, the Keen Seek is absolutely a workhorse that really could put up respectable numbers in all categories.

As with any trail shoe, it all starts up top with a functional fit. This one has it. There are a few shoes that the Keen Seek reminded me of when it comes to fit/overall security. A couple of those options will be featured in our Best in Gear awards as 2025 comes to a close.

One is the Topo Athletic MTN Racer 4. While the Keen Seek was slimmer in comparison, it still had a snug midfoot and structured heel that allowed for really nice lockdown in the most important areas of the upper. The other reason it reminds me of the Topo as well as the Nike Wildhorse 10 is that the Seek has an anatomical foot shape. Foot splay was certainly allowed without being too wide.

Of course, the integrated booty with a sock-like collar reminded me of the La Sportiva Prodigio Pro. Yes, it’s a little more material up top, but it certainly allowed for that extra level of confidence when it came to performance and comfort. The outer jacquard knit upper added slight protection but primarily provided a more secure fit.

Being able to tuck the laces into a lace garage on the integrated tongue was a nice addition, too.

The Quantum Foam X midsole was the next feature that also reminded me of some of our historic favorites. While I have no idea of the exact composition, my guess is that it’s a supercritical EVA. Perhaps it’s blended, but it certainly felt like a tried-and-true medium-density supercritical midsole. It actually reminded me a lot of the Brooks Catamount 2 and 3 or the Floatpro foam in the Merrell MTL Long Sky 2. It’s a function-forward foam that offers protection, a noticeable yet minor amount of energy return, and a smooth ride thanks to the forefoot rocker. At the end of the day, it didn’t have a ton of character, but that’s alright because it was a sensation that blended into the trails.

At a 39/33 mm stack, one might think that this could be a little unstable, but again, the medium density of the Quantum Foam X, along with its moderately broad base and anatomical toe box, provided an appropriate level of support, allowing me not to worry about it.

Underneath, the All Terrain Rubber with a unique pattern of 4 mm lugs was very satisfactory in both grip and durability. The only issue came during the first run on some dry slick rock. It seemed like a layer of film needed to be worn off before getting to the good stuff.

While I can’t speak to the acclaimed 925 miles of durability on the outsole, I can say that this package will last longer than many others on the shelf these days. Perhaps that will be between 500 and 600 miles.

ALLISON: Holy comfort, Batman, call me pleasantly surprised. I take back all the skeptical things I said in the intro. The Keen Seek completely flipped my expectations. As Taylor and Reese mentioned, this shoe is the definition of comfort, soft yet supportive, with that easy, broken-in feel right out of the box. It’s also incredibly lightweight, which makes it a true workhorse for various trails. That’s my bread and butter when it comes to trail shoes: something that can handle miles of mixed terrain without beating up my feet.

The traction is excellent, grippy without feeling overly aggressive, and the outsole holds firm even on loose gravel and wet roots. But what really impressed me was the toe room. There’s space galore, something I’ve felt was missing in shoes I’ve reviewed lately. It gives your feet room to move naturally without sacrificing stability. Keen clearly put thought into the balance between comfort and performance here. The Seek feels like a shoe that can go from everyday wear to serious trail sessions without missing a beat, and I’m absolutely here for it.

What we don’t like about the Keen Seek

REESE: Just a few things in this section. While the upper was mentioned in the section above, I have to note that when I kicked up rocks and it hit my foot, geez, did I feel that. The toe protection area is pretty minimal, so if you’re someone who wants or needs a larger area of protection, something more than the mesh upper, this might be something to consider.

While the shoe might last a long time, I do question how long a run this shoe could handle. Like a single run. The midsole is nice, but again, it’s not something that feels like I could run in for hours on end. Not a deal breaker for 90% of my runs, but just something to note. I’d put this shoe in the sub-ultra category.

TAYLOR: Complaints were quite minimal for me as well. The one MUST is to wear higher than ankle socks. I wore these around with some below-the-ankle socks and got some rubbing on the front and the heel side of the collar. When I had my quarter-length socks, there were zero issues to speak of.

I suppose thinner socks on warmer days would be helpful too, because the knit upper, combined with the integrated booty, was a warmer combination. Most seasons would be fine. I would only be somewhat concerned on the hot days of summer or if you happen to experience temperatures of 80 degrees or higher year-round.

Lastly, there was some slight movement in the forefoot on more techy terrain. It wasn’t as much inhibiting function as it was simply noticeable at times. Those with a narrow foot may find even more slipping around than I experienced.

ALLISON: Reese must have watched me demo the shoes, too, because I share the exact same complaint she had. As much as I appreciate the Keen Seek’s airy, breathable feel, it doesn’t offer quite enough protection for the more rugged trails I frequent. A lot of my routes are littered with rocks and roots, and I need something with a bit more shielding for my precious feet.

The upper feels great for ventilation and comfort, but when it comes to deflecting those surprise toe stubs or sharp edges, it’s a little too forgiving. For someone like me, who somehow manages to trip over every rock within a five-foot radius, that lack of protection stands out fast. Don’t get me wrong, the comfort is still top-tier, but I’d love to see Keen beef up the forefoot or add a bit more structure in future versions. My clumsy trail self would be very grateful.

Final thoughts on the Keen Seek

REESE: I’m honestly loving the Keen Seek. I normally want a few do-it-all kind of shoes in my weekly rotation. A shoe that I can just grab and go with. A shoe that isn’t hyper-specific to racing or technical trails. Basically, a shoe I don’t need to worry about where I go with it. My ankles have had a rough year, so max stack shoes are basically out of the question. The Keen Seek is a shoe I’d grab for most of my weekly trail runs. It’s a shoe that doesn’t get in the way, which is kind of how good gear should be. You shouldn’t need to worry about it.

As I said above, I don’t think I would take this shoe out on ultra runs. I’d likely grab a different pair of shoes if I were running for over three hours.

This is an all-around good pair of shoes and far better than I would have guessed Keen, a newbie in the trail running waters, but not a newbie in the shoe waters.

TAYLOR: Satisfied is an understatement. I’m pretty shocked at the performance of the Keen Seek. It’s certainly in the running for Rookie of the Year because of the same reasons many people seek out Keen for hiking — the Seek is quality, comfortable, and durable. The Seek adds its own spice with a very runnable design and a great fit for a variety of miles.

I think this could easily be someone’s one-shoe quiver. Even at $185 (slightly above the average shoe price), I think this could be a solid value because of the proven durability and, again, versatility

If I’m honest, I feel like the Keen Seek will be an underestimated shoe, but I hope it gets the light it deserves.

ALLISON: The Keen Seek turned out to be a genuine surprise, far exceeding my initial skepticism. What I expected to be just another average trail shoe ended up delivering standout comfort, lightweight performance, and plenty of toe room, making it a true trail workhorse. While I’d like a bit more protection on rocky terrain, the Seek won me over, and I’m honestly excited to see what else Keen has up their sleeve if this is the new direction they’re heading.

You can pick up the Keen Seek for $185 from Keen Footwear by using the buttons below.