My First Impressions on the KEEN Ridge Flex [and Why I Hate Hiking Boots]

As an owner of two wide feet, I have been vouching for the accommodating nature of KEEN shoes for almost a decade. One thing I recommend considering, the toes are made to stabilize your entire body, so enabling them the space to do their job, might help keep you upright!
The company reached out to me and asked me to give my honest feedback on this new Ridge Flex Hiking Boots w/ KEEN.BELLOWS FLEX. So if you're sick of narrow hiking boots that squeeze your feet, maybe its time for a change. Hike Happy!
FULL SPECS ► Check out the KEEN website for the full specs!
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#HikeHappy #RidgeFlex #OutsideBetter #KEEN #ad

[@TheOutsidePerks]

Been a Keen fan for over a decade and can confirm that for those with wide feet Keen's are terrific!

[@owenbarnes773]

me too ... but i eat up those soft treads too fast

[@russellwhyte806]

Last year I fractured my right ankle, after it healed I found my Salomons didn’t feel comfortable anymore. I didn’t want to buy online and there was only one outdoor gear shop open in Aberdeen. So after a very comprehensive foot fitting from them I bought their recommendation of the Keen Targhee Midi. I was dubious, I mean it was a Keen! Well blow me away, these Keens have turned out to be the most comfortable hiking boots I have ever worn. They just wrap my feet in a duvet of comfort and have phenomenal grip. 45 years in the mountains and these Keens have been the comfiest so far👍

[@AnuRadha-hg3nb]

Qq

[@AnuRadha-hg3nb]

Qq

[@blazbasic6694]

Thank you for that contribute. Usefull info for unhappy wide feet owners that struggle to get a good pair. Love you sense of humor, too (that C-word). :)

[@stephencronin1080]

Boots have their place though. Come to Ireland in spring and you'll wish you had a nice set of waterproof boots and pair of gaiters!

[@ChaseMountains]

They sure do. There's no such thing as ski shoes

[@srmccormack]

Yes, go hiking in the Scottish Highlands without boots. I guarantee misery.

[@stephencronin1080]

@@srmccormack I'm hoping to once the coof let's us travel again

[@Jumalten001]

Good thing Keen makes boots then huh?

[@derekfoehr9264]

I've been wearing Keens for years and I love them.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

I just saw an ad for this tech! Thanks for getting on the review so fast!

[@ChaseMountains]

No dramas my man!

[@mymagi1]

nice review, I just got into using trail runners, but definitely buying these to try out

[@theoutdoorpt7267]

Great review Chase, it will be interesting to see the longer term use and if the uppers wear out, there are so many different styles of shoe on the market now its hard to see where they fit in. I use trail running shoes for hiking mostly inov8's but pay the price of them being lightweight as they seem to wear out relatively quickly. Most approach style shoes tend to be too narrow for my feet...fit is so personal!

[@jorgebautista4650]

Thank you for your review. I am a military member transitioning out of the service who has a lot of foot, ankle, and back issues. Looking at these shoes as a good show for a new job I will start next year in the State of Alaska contracted construction job. I will be required to stand all day on all different terrains and watch others work and then inspect their work as a construction quality inspector. I think this shoe will be a great fit a waterproof option that will cut some of the weight I am used to in combat boots and still give me the support I need to stand on my feet all day and tackle being on different types of terrain. Thank you again as I am an entry hiker and not looking to spend hundreds of dollars for an advance shoe for serious hiking and be used more as a work shoe to keep my feet supported, dry, and withstand standing in them all day.

[@trulsdirio]

That Heel Lock strap is absolutely awesome to fix some gaiters to, just put some hooks on and they won't move a bit. Awesome for bushwhacking or gravel trails to not get stones stuck in your shoes.

[@jbak11]

Love how the title under the thumbnail on the main YT page looks "My First Impressions on the KEEN Ridge Flex [and Why I Hate Hiking..." :D

[@ChaseMountains]

Hahahaha. Click bait as usual

[@MTLIBRARY]

Good review and I’m happy to hear they’ve softened the rubber. I own a different pair of Keen for winter hiking. Shoe is solid and great design but the rubber is too hard and they hurt my heels.

[@alaskaraftconnection-alask3397]

I feel you are on to the 'approach shoe' segment of outdoor footwear genre. My way of thinking... this is a flexion technology in addition to the heel-locking strategies that should evolve toward whitewater and fishing wading shoes. In this case it would also include self-bailing (draining) features. As a long time Keen user... I'd like to test this theory on my remote destination rafting trips with this shoe to see if the flexing features and integrated stitching would hold up to the wet-dry-wet again routine and potentially be a game changer. Great video... & Keen, if you are watching please keep my 'wading shoe' ideas in mind.

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

Have to consider these when I can travel again.

[@deanpayne85]

I recently did a 5-hour mountain hike up Snowdon in wales using Vibram 5 finger shoes. they look really funky but it felt great to have that contact with the ground.

[@ChaseMountains]

Hahaha yup, goofy appearance strikes again

[@nvanguy6868]

Tried on so many different hikers but after the. Good reviews i bought these today The min i put them on i was comfy. Great for wide feet and toes. They look tough as hell So far they seem great

[@barondavis5692]

Thanks for posting. Any idea what the drop is?

[@allanwood3562]

Sounds pretty good. I have arthritis in my big toes after a lifetime of, well, life. I walk 16 odd km every other day on roads mainly just to maintain condition at my age (early 60's) so something that reduces foot pain sounds ok. Cheers and love your work.

[@ChaseMountains]

Check out the stretching video I linked at the end of the video. That's a good place to start building strong feet

[@allanwood3562]

@@ChaseMountains will do. Old karate injuries come out to later on in life sometimes :/

[@AtHomeInTurkey]

I love Keens. The only problem is dat I go through the soles very quickly on the rocks that we hike on here. looking forward to your experience with them.

[@andr101]

Thaks for the information. I read they are waterproof, how is the breathability? Don't want to find myself with wet feet from the sweat like with traditional waterproof boots

[@HikingWithBenny]

Would love to see your thoughts on the Lems trailhead 2

[@suzannehannahs6104]

I love Keen boots for hiking. Very well made boots, especially for wide feet. I have tried running in mine, and they are fine although, I'm sure trail runners could be better. I have not found any that I like. I would be interested in what you think of the Hoka One shoes. Your videos are very helpful!

[@anatexis_the_first]

Boot (cat. C) lover here. Looks like a good enough hiking shoe for hikes with a light load, but I'm pretty sure they aren't resoleable. That's a no-go for me, especially with a relative soft sole, because I'd end up buying a new pair each season. On a side note: cool move where you jump from a kneeing position into a squat. Had to try that myself immediately :D

[@dougtond1380]

These actually look really cool! I'm a barefoot guy, myself; but if I wasn't, I would totally try these out. I'm curious how they compare to the Altra Tushar boot in weight, rigidity/flexibility, water resistance, fit/width, etc. If I'm not wearing "barefoot shoes", I at least need something as close to zero drop as possible. After going barefoot for so long, I really notice anything with a raised heel putting pressure in my knees and back 😬

[@RobertViani]

I just looked at a pair of these today( May 2022 ). I hadn’t seen a review and I was skeptical about the flex portion, looking at it it seemed like it may tear or wear out easily. I ended up buying the Targhee 3 lows.

[@thetylife]

I picked up a pair of Keens a few years ago...mostly cause it was on sale for like $42.. and I was shocked at how comfortable it was.. It really accommodated my wide feet...It's almost as comfortable as a pair of Nike Air Force 1's ( a basketball shoe that came out in 1982 for the few that doesn't know)... my favorite all time shoe to wear ..That's saying a lot that a shoe meant for hiking is near as comfortable as a basketball shoe. Though the tech is quite old , it's been demoted to a casual walking shoe I'll say. And the Keen Rialto Lace is quite durable ..I'm waiting for it to fall apart so I can get another pair lol...I have a pair Merrells and Tevas that haven't gotten any action cause the Keens are so darn functional and comfortable...

[@markcummings6856]

Nice review, very professional like.

[@ChaseMountains]

Hahaha man I am the least professional gear reviewer ever but THANKS!

[@justintung7981]

Though I have wide feet, I tried Keen before for hiking boots and trail running shoes but they just didn't fit me right. I have, however, gone through my Hoka One One ATR 5, and my Oboz Sawtooth...I'm also halfway through the treads on my LaSportiva Spires. Looking for something that's good for easy to moderate hiking, maybe some casual walking/exercise, but definitely is durable and waterproof (I go fishing/kayaking and also like to do wet trails with crossings), I will definitely look to be trying these over the other approach shoes. Hoka One One only makes wide for the SpeedGoat4 without GoreTex...really looking forward to your post 6 month durability update...as I understand it, the big sell point of this boot over other approach shoes is durability right?

[@lyndastrahmann1782]

Nice video - as usual. Thanks. What are the brand of hiking pants you’re wearing? Thanks

[@ChaseMountains]

They're from Simond!

[@juhel5531]

I have a pair of merrel moab 2 that have served me for about a decade. I use it for everyday work which is mostly manual labor. The outsole tread is mostly gone and I just scratched it with sandpaper to get some grip. Ever since the 5 year mark, age has ripped the outside finish of the fake leather along with the outside "grain", leaving only a suede looking surface. Weirdly enough, the only thing on it that has truly failed was the glue of the mid and outsole along with the aglets of the laces disintegrating. Once I got it reglued and stitched on, it hasn't failed since.

[@rawrpurrqueen312]

I am a letter carrier and I walk 20 km a day. I bought the waterproof keen ridge flex low and they worked great. However, the bellow rubber separated from the side connection on the toe after three weeks and the water started coming in. Ugh. I did also find that they have to be laced up a certain way so that it didn’t pinch the upper side of my foot. Not sure if I had a bad pair but I was disappointed about the bellow separating on one side. The tread seemed to last well after three weeks compared to other shoes. I had to take them Back and the store couldn’t locate any more in my size.

[@mike.garnham]

Great. This could be my shoe for the Camino Frances next year. Would you go normal size or up a 1/2? Nice sac.

[@cookiemunster026]

Keens normally fit true to size

[@wilboardman]

Great review! I’ve been looking for a new pair of hiking pants and yours look like a good idea. What’s the brand if you don’t mind me asking?

[@ChaseMountains]

Simond!

[@BenjaminWilcock]

Nice dude they look like a decent shoe. Don’t think I could ever transition back to a boot type shoes anymore either though. My favourite trail runner I’ve used so far are my Altra Timps. Just wish they weren’t so damn expensive. 🤙

[@ChaseMountains]

Yeah I got NB Hierros because Altras are hella expensive in Europe. I'm keen to check them out tho. Never heard of Timps 🤔

[@BenjaminWilcock]

@@ChaseMountains the timps are a bit more of an athletic fit over the lone peaks. I’ve found them really preferable so gonna stick with them unless they change them. What Lav mic you using dude? You got a link ?

[@ChaseMountains]

@@BenjaminWilcock it's the Sony ECMCS3 and it's awesome. Used with the Rode Go!

[@BenjaminWilcock]

@@ChaseMountains thanks man

[@jennygenricks2007]

I’ve always loved the brand

[@ChaseMountains]

Haha if they were a band they'd have a cult following

[@fergushudson3880]

Have had 3 Keen Targhee. Really comfortable with no breaking-in period. BUT ... in all cases the soles lost lugs (in big chunks) after very short time when used on rocky terrain. I'm assuming glue failure. Wouldn't risk buying Keen again unless I was happy to keep replacing them every year.

[@icewallow2611]

Is this the wide version?

[@manoharlal-is4so]

what a beautiful shoes...

[@mariateran4238]

also, where do u got ur pants?

[@WalkWithWallace]

These look decent, the soles don't look as aggressive as some of the trail runners. But they'd probably work for me as long as they have a wide toe box.

[@ChaseMountains]

Yeah man one of the few big shoes brands that know how toes work 😂

[@WalkWithWallace]

@@ChaseMountains nice one, will see if they're available in the UK by the time I wear out my Saucony trail runners.

[@chuckleber5646]

Are they zero drop? Couldn't find it on the website.

[@liamjameswood9257]

I’ll always be a Vivo footwear hiker after wearing the trackers.

[@mikemacinnis7169]

I have thin feet. Would this shoe work, everyone seems to say how good they are for wide feet. I put approx 20 km per day as a post office worker. Waterproof aspect is big as I'm in Canada and would wear these in winter.

[@Is-me-TheReal-Shakira]

Looks good, how much they cost? Can I test them too 😁?

[@milk808]

So what would be your go-to shoe? A shoe you know you can count on? And are you a fan of zero drop pairs?

[@macmurfy2jka]

I’ve found that the sticky rubber Keen uses on their boots is actually a liability. {granted my experience is a bit old, I have since stopped using boots altogether except for mud and snow, and switched to Soft Star Shoes} Under heavy loads/extreme forces the rubber lugs seams to flow around the edges of obstacles until they shearing forces become too great and a chunk just gets ripped off. Additionally the soft rubber just wears down prematurely. The uppers usually look great but the outsole has no tread left. I worked at a summer camp for many years, wore a set out it a season(3months), and saw others do the same. Usually only walked 3-5 miles a day. I have a feeling that you would have worn these new ones out on your GR-11 hike. For sole durability, I’ve come to really trust shoes with Vibram soles.

[@anatexis_the_first]

I couldn't agree more. I've made the same experience with big chunks of the sole being sheared cleanly (albeit not with Keen shoes) and nowadays only buy a shoe/boot if it comes with an aggressive and resoleable vibram sole. That's really the make or break argument for me.

[@fkmuiry7i]

Its quite suspicious when multiple backpacking/hiking channels post first impression videos of the same boot within a few days of each other

[@lakorai2]

They all want to be like Dan Becker and get free shit and paid

[@Pharisaeus]

It's called "creating brand awareness", nothing suspicious. Their advertisement people reached out to content creators to make reviews, so that people become aware of their product.

[@lakorai2]

Hey man they just want to get paid. I think Becker does this full time. Probably doesn't evdn have to work a notmal job

[@M_Ladd]

Why you not check waterproof??

[@crazynitroeverything4482]

My keens always still are fine up top when the sole is gone.

[@lovedirt4996]

Curious what type of pants did you wear in this video?

[@ChaseMountains]

Simond

[@Blackshuck73]

Curious for your opinion...I have found lately that Keen has moved to a different last. They seem much narrower than they originally boots were. Does this boot have the ample toe box/forefoot of the originals after your experience with them?

[@ChaseMountains]

Its been a while since my last pair (like 15 years) so it's hard for me to say. But still ample room for me, and still wider than most!

[@Happy-jk6qh]

They do some models with a really wide fit, you have to buy your own paddle though. Keen owner - 3rd pair

[@edugie1820]

Tested two hiking boots within the last two weeks and the brutal beating on my legs from them are not worth it. Yesterday was Merrell and the pain is just worst! I am done and back to my trail sneakers. Also, what do you think in terms of ankle support? That's the only thing I long for in trail sneakers. Do you have recommendations for what to wear during hikes on the ankle for support?

[@ChaseMountains]

my view is that the ankle should be strong enough to support itself hahah

[@edugie1820]

@@ChaseMountains True but most of us have rolling nd wobbly ankles from time to time. However, I will mention that your ankle exercise video has been very helpful to my stretch regimen! Thanks and anymore helpful tips will always be appreciated.

[@SuperBlackDancer]

Question: Whenever I hike, the tendons on the underside of my toes start hurting pretty bad. Not the part that is on the floor/shoe, but the floating in the air part. How do I prevent/stop this from happening? Thanks!

[@ChaseMountains]

Have you seen and explored the exercises in the trail maintenance video I posted a few weeks ago? That's a great place to start.

[@IgnacioGlezCllo]

are you 'clawing' your toes?

[@ChaseMountains]

@@IgnacioGlezCllo yeah sitting at a desk and doing that is a great strength exercise for the foot

[@IgnacioGlezCllo]

@@ChaseMountains I meant more like what people do when walking in flip-flops (sorry, thongs ;) ), which is really bad for your foot; I was wondering if Dobby is perhaps wearing shoes that are too large and he's unconsciously doing that with his toes for better grip. Either way, it does sound like his toes could do with some stretching and strengthening...

[@SuperBlackDancer]

Yeah I’ve done the excercises in that video a couple of times. My toes are indeed a bit claw shaped and especially the ring toe is pretty crooked :p. Also I’m wearing boots whenever I go hiking which might be a thing as well?

[@simian5805]

The outside left side of my left foot aches when I walk. Any tips?

[@ChaseMountains]

Check out my mountain proof ankles routine. My best bet is you've got tight calves and or angry plantafascia

[@simian5805]

@@ChaseMountains Thanks I'll do that and look into those topics.

[@AccidentalHiker1]

Question is can I also run a little in them.

[@ChaseMountains]

I mean you could... You can also run in ski boots hahhaa

[@somebodysomewhere6353]

thoughts on Vibram Fivefingers?

[@ChaseMountains]

never tried em, I have a pair of injinji socks and the toe thing weirds me out so I imagine that situation would be even worse in a shoe ahaha. I wear skinners, which is like a sock with a rubber bottom

[@laggmonkei]

@@ChaseMountains It would be interesting to look at those socks(or fivefingers) as a first step into correcting having had narrow shoes. My pinky toe for example has been forced inwards, which causes it to blister right away if i dont use tape or injinji and pull it out abit. I think alot of people could use something like fivefingers to start getting their toes into order.

[@ChaseMountains]

@@laggmonkei yeah theres also something I would look into called toe spacers!

[@neilshanahan8635]

I went through a faze of wear injinji socks to try give my toes a bit more freedom on longer trail runs and found them to be numbing my toes after 25-30km. I had only started wearing altra lone peaks around the same time, I did away with the socks and start rolling out the soles of my feet in the evenings and stuck with the altra, now 4-5 years later I never looked back, my feet are a lot happier. I am now awaiting my first order of Silverlight socks to see if the reviewers word lives up to the reviews 😁

[@ziemekdotca]

What pants are you wearing?

[@ChaseMountains]

Simond... Damn maybe I should just review the pants this is the fourth time I've answered this question 😂

[@jamessalerno2756]

Keen makes a very comfortable shoe however they need to address how they assemble the soles. I've had 4 pairs of target's (low and high) and all have failed miserably with sole separation within 6 months. The only reason I still wear them is because of Keen's replacement warranty. But that's getting old. I've got wide feet, I love to backpack and get my steps in daily. I'm done with Keen's. Hiking footwear should last longer than 6 months. You listening Keen?

[@Nuttyirishman85]

Approach shoes are all you need to be sound on a hike. Weather dependent.

[@brianort3546]

My idea of a boot in your idea of a boot are two different things

[@lakorai2]

Pretry nice. But the price is way too high

[@tracykooken2606]

I love boots!!!! And good boots need no more " break in " than train shoes ! Stronger feet has nothing to do with shoe or boot. Each has its place and smooth well worn trails do make the lighter " trail shoe " A lighter option. But not all of stick to " freeway " type trails. Bad mouthing boots and " i don't do boots any more " is BS !!! There is pro's and con's to everything . Alot of people wear trail runners only because they think they should because of the bs they hear not knowing what the real issues are. Media hype !!!! Keen makes nice out of the box shoes but unless things have changed RECENTLY The tend to break down quickly !! Not real backpacking shoe but great for the local parks n trailways.

[@MarkPharaoh]

This boot doesn’t make sense to me. One claim is that this new flex feature will improve longevity, yet they included a very soft rubber sole that will likely wear out before the vamp does, even if it didn’t have this new flex technology.

[@ChaseMountains]

The rubber on the sole you mean? Yeah I guess we'll find out!

[@macmurfy2jka]

Yeah, that’s been my experience as well, the sole on Keen shoes always seem to wear out prematurely. Prefer Merrill’s over Keen.

[@MarkPharaoh]

@@ChaseMountains yep, meant the sole

[@ianguitar7532]

Still sweaty Gore-tex, though?

[@ChaseMountains]

In my opinion, if you got sweaty feet it's more the socks fault than the shoes or the goretex

[@MichaelAndersen_DK]

I'll trade you that location for a trip to flat Denmark :)

[@ChaseMountains]

Hmmm no deal 😂

[@sunflowersadie543]

Big Fat Foot 😆 me too

[@billshire2681]

Million steps is 500 miles. Hokas last 9 months before the materials start wilting.

[@mirekbns]

What are those pants? They look really comfortable.

[@AggyGoesOutdoors]

Honestly I've watched about 4 versions of this video now, this has got to be some sort of joke, I'm growing weary of these blatant marketing videos. Though I very much enjoyed the diplomatic stance you took in your video... your views on this product are obvious and honest for anyone who wants to read between the lines... One thing I disagree with, bellows are not cool. 🤣😂👍🏼🙏🏼

[@JewishJuice]

Who is the one bastard that disliked the video?

[@paulhowden720]

Pair of clogs

[@nigelbrennan6865]

Ankle support ?????

[@ChaseMountains]

my view is that the ankles should be strong enough to support themselves. But if you're ankles aren't strong, and you have no interest in working on that, then shoes aren't for you. Stick to boots.

[@lexuinosirg5491]

16.6 oz 😏 breathability 👎

[@stuartchester6899]

I m sick to death of EVA midsole trail shoes .Every one I try now are horribly spongey and tiring to walk in .I can feel the energy loss, as If I m walking in soft sand .You can have TOO comfy .I think manufacturers now go for spongey soft shoes and boots because in the shop when you try them on...instant comfy .So now I want shoes for long distance hikes with zero EVA nasty cheap packing case foam .Keen may not have any of this stuff in the midsole ..I hope .I can see I can forget about a 350 gr trail shoe as TPU etc are heavier .