Last season I tried out the WK400 from Keen and I was impressed by the innovative shoe sole that created a sense of forward propulsion when you’re walking. That technology has now been continued into other designs from the U.S brand, including with this, the 450 Dirt. I’ve been using it on local walks around the Wiltshire Downs and also on a trip to the Scottish Highlands where I took on some wet and rocky trails and steep climbs and descents. Here’s how I got on with it.

Features and Performance

Last year I tried out the WK400 and the shoe’s sole really stood out to me. It was curved and had a nice roll to it and an internal plate created a sense that the shoe was propelling you forward, in the same way that carbon plates do with running shoes. This, the 450 Dirt has the same technology. It works in exactly the same way, but what you’re getting overall here is a shoe that’s far more suitable for proper hiking. The Keen WK400 is designed primarily for defined trails and gravel paths but this new launch is made for trails that are muddy, steep and technical, with a grippier sole and a curvature that’s just slightly more subtle, bringing more surface area in contact with the ground.

Along with that curved and plated sole there’s also loads of cushioning and a pretty wide platform. It  reminds me a lot of a Hoka shoe, bringing heeps of shock absorption and comfort to the table. 

It doesn’t flex too much longitudinally, which is what I tend to want from a walking shoe, providing you with better stability, protection, and power transfer on rough terrain by reducing foot flex, making it ideal for rocky or uneven surfaces.

Pros: Clever sole saves you energy, loads of cushioning
Cons: I found the heel a touch on the loose side for me, not great on wet rock

Then there’s the grip. This has 4mm multi-directional lugs that bite into mud well, and shed it quickly too. I used this on a really wet and muddy trail through Glencoe taking on climbs and descents and it gave me a confident footing that I felt I could rely on. I had confidence on dry and slightly dampened rock too, though I did find there are limitations on wet rocks. In fairness, I conducted most of my tests to the grip around Glencoe where the rocks can be quite mossy and slimy, and a lot of shoes would struggle in the same situation.

The upper is made from a mesh that feels quite durable. It’s reinforced at the toe, heel and along the base by a TPU. In my two months of tests, I haven’t had any issues from wear and tear. 

There’s also waterproof protection in the form of a Keen Dry waterproof membrane. I tend to hike in wet climates, so I opted for the lined version of the 450 Dirt but there’s a non-waterproof one which I’d recommend if you mainly hike in warm and dry places.

Fit

In typical Keen style, the 450 Dirt has a large toe box that gives space for your toes to relax and not feel hemmed in at all. This is particularly beneficial for people who either have a wide forefoot or that like to have room for their feet to splay – basically when they start to swell after high mileage. I personally would’ve liked the lacing to extend a little bit further towards the toes, just to get a slightly closer fit between the midfoot and forefoot. I also found the heel slightly wide for me but this didn’t cause any issues.