Keen have long been a reliable name in hiking footwear, with their boots and sandals a common sight on the trails. When they revealed plans to step into trail running earlier this year, it felt like a natural progression – and I was curious to see how they’d approach it.
Their first launch? The Keen Seek trail running shoe. I’ve had a chance to test it out, and I haven’t been disappointed.
Out of the Box Comfort
At the time of writing, I’m just back from running the Kendal Mountain Festival 10K race during which I broke a cardinal rule of running: I wore these shoes from Keen straight out of the box, without breaking them in at all. Reckless, I know, but I actually had no issues whatsoever. The Keen Seek was comfortable, ready to run in, and it felt good throughout the whole course of the run.
The Top Line
As expected, the Keen Seek has a slightly roomier toe box than many other trail running shoes. It’s not oversized though, and you still get quite a lot of feel and precision from it. For me it strikes a really nice balance and one that I think will really pay dividends on any long runs that might bring about a bit of foot swell.
The upper is made from a stretch-knit material that creates a wrapping, sock-like fit that feels very comfortable and breathable. There’s plenty of comfort underfoot too, with the 39mm (heel) and 36mm (toe) stack height offering moderate to high levels of cushioning.
Best Trail Running Vests Reviewed
In terms of weight, the men’s version is listed at about 306g (approx. 10.8 oz), which is reasonable for a cushioned mixed-terrain trail shoe, though not ultra-light.
First Impressions on the Trail
This is an early first impression of the shoe, not a full review, so I can’t comment on its long-term performance just yet. From my test over 10km, what I would say already really stands out about this shoe is its versatility. The race took us on sloppy mud, greasy rocks, steep downhill tracks, pavement, alleyways and down steep wet steps, and it felt like the right kind of shoe to be running in.
