Walking Boots

KEEN Venture Mid Walking Boot | Review

Keen’s Venture delivers a superb locked-in feel when you’re out and about on the hill

Why We Chose The KEEN Venture Mid: A comfortable, stabilising, boot with excellent grip.

When it comes to making outdoor footwear, Keen really do know what’s what. The Venture Mid is no exception.

With its KEEN.Dry waterproof and breathable membrane the first thing we should say about this walking boot is that it’s primed and ready to tackle whatever Mother Nature throws at you. These things scream “everyday usability,” and are the kind of boots you can put on without a second thought regarding the day ahead. The trademarked membrane does an excellent job at keeping your feet cool and dry, even on properly active days in the hill.

One of our favourite things about the boot is the KonnectFit heel-capture system. What this feature does is provide a genuinely reassuring locked-in feel, something that’s absolutely perfect for the times when you find yourself on real heel-tweaking / ankle-rolling terrain. Weekend hill-walker and lunchtime park strollers alike should notice how the KonnectFit anchors the foot in place; allowing the wearer to move confidently.

“I’ve been impressed with how light they are.”

The Venture Mid is what happens when a lightweight upper meets a high-traction outsole. It’s a boot that delivers genuine bite underfoot without ever making you feel like you’ve got concrete blocks wrapped around your feet. The 4mm multi-directional lugs are well engineered, clamping your step in place both uphill and downhill. It’s not the most aggressive of treads out there, but it’s certainly enough for any trail hiking – whether that’s on wet or dry ground.

Another standout aspect of the Venture Mid is the EVA midsole for lightweight cushioning. As is so often the case, the Keen logo here means comfort. A point underlined by the Venture Mid’s removable, dual-density PU, footbed with arch support. These are the kind of boots you could put on, walk around in, go home in and have a nap on the sofa in, all without ever realising they’re even on your feet. Sounds like an exaggeration that and, to an extent, it is. Generally speaking though, we found these to be very comfortable, and right out of the box.

The Venture's KonnectFit feature anchors the foot in place. Photo: Chris Johnson

The 4mm multi-directional lugs provide reassurance underfoot. Photo: Chris Johnson

The KEEN.Dry membrane here is both waterproof and breathable. Photo: Chris Johnson

Tester’s Verdict

Ash Routen, Outdoor writer and polar explorer

“For the past few years, I’ve almost exclusively worn trail shoes in the mountains. Gone are my clunky and sweat-inducing boots of the past. However, I’ve missed the ankle support and waterproofness offered by a boot, so I was particularly keen (see what I did there?!) to try out this new offering. Giving the boots a run out in the Welsh mountains I’ve been impressed with how light they are (the reason I switched to trail shoes), their grip, and their ability to breathe and their waterproofness. I’ll be giving them more outings over the next few months.”

There’s a high-traction outsole present here. Photo: Chris Johnson

Trade Secrets

Chris Lindgren, KEEN Global Business Unit Director of Trailhead

“The Venture represents a big step forward in how we approach building light and fast hiking product. Minimizing stitching seams and utilising no-sew technology combined with light, durable upper materials and lightweight support structures in the upper as well as underfoot, we’ve created a modern fast hiker ready to take on any adventure. It’s purposefully built for performance with only the essential features as part of conscious construction process.”