KEEN’s New Koven Light Hiker

KEEN’s big noise for this autumn 2014 is the new Durand – see our scoop preview – but for those who prefer a more traditional, affordable and, erm, familiar, take on hiking from the brand, it’s also launched a new light-hiker oddly called the Koven.

Sounding like a gathering of dyslexic witches, the Koven is straight out of KEEN’s more traditional book. It comes in no fewer than five variants: low and mid WP (waterproof) versions for both men and women and a standard, non-WP shoe version for women only.

WP Or Not WP

The uppers are a mix of leather and breathable mesh, with or without the KEEN.Dry waterproof liner, there’s KEEN’s non-marking PU outsole unit with multi-directional lugs and a TPU shank for underfoot stability and reinforcement. Cushioning is courtesy of a moulded EVA midsole and last but not least, the shoes all feature the brand’s signature reinforced toe bumper.

To put it all in perspective, the weight of the mid version is quoted at 482g for a size 42, while our size 43 Durand weighs in at just 650g presumably thanks to a slightly heftier construction and the use of more durable PU cushioning in the midsole rather than the lighter, but shorter-lived EVA.

Out Now

They’re available from the KEEN website right now, with prices at £69.99 for the non-waterproof women’s shoe, £79.99 for the men’s and women’s Koven WP and £99.99 for the mid versions.

You can find full details of the KEEN Koven at www.keenfootwear.com.