KEEN Women's Zionic Low Height Breathable All Terrain Hiking Shoes Review
Are you looking for a versatile pair of hiking shoes that can keep up with your adventurous spirit? The KEEN Women's Zionic Low Height Breathable All Terrain Hiking Shoes in Ember Glow/Sea Moss might be just what you need. Designed for women who prefer speed on the trails, these shoes blend the agility of sneakers with the sturdy support of hiking boots. If fast-paced hikes are your thing or you're preparing for a spontaneous weekend getaway, these shoes have got you covered.
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Features
- Material: Performance mesh with flexible overlays for enhanced durability; quick-dry lining for active endeavors.
- Comfort: Equipped with lightweight KEEN LuftCell technology, providing cushioning through micro air pockets for optimal lightness and bounce.
- Traction: High-traction rubber sole with 4mm multi-directional lugs ensures firm footing across rugged terrains; includes a removable footbed designed for prolonged comfort.
- Support: Stability shank offers lightweight underfoot support, enhancing mobility on uneven surfaces.
- Fit & Care Tips: KEEN Contoured Fit adapts to the natural shape of your foot for a snug fit; easy to care for by gently brushing with a damp sponge and treating stains promptly.
Pros
- Lightweight design enhances agility during hikes.
- Breathable material keeps feet comfortable and dry.
- Excellent traction allows for confident movement on various terrains.
- Removable footbed adds convenience for personalized comfort adjustments.
- Durable construction ensures longevity, even with regular use.
Cons
- Limited ankle support compared to traditional hiking boots.
- Some users may find the fit slightly narrower than expected.
- Not ideal for extreme cold weather hiking due to breathability.
Comparison With Other Similar Products
| Feature | KEEN Women's Zionic Low | Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX | Nike Wildhorse 7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Lightweight | Medium | Lightweight |
| Waterproofing | No | Yes | No |
| Footbed | Removable | Non-removable | Non-removable |
| Traction | High traction rubber | Contagrip outsole | Multi-directional lugs |
Detailed Review
The KEEN Women's Zionic Low Height Breathable All Terrain Hiking Shoes excel in multiple areas that matter to any outdoor enthusiast. First and foremost is their comfort. The incorporation of KEEN LuftCell technology means every step feels light and cushioned, reducing fatigue during lengthy hikes. The breathable mesh not only promotes airflow but also helps manage moisture, keeping your feet as dry as possible.
When it comes to traction, the 4mm multi-directional lugs provide impressive grip, making these shoes suitable for variable terrains, from rocky paths to muddy trails. It’s worth noting that while these shoes prioritize breathability, they may not offer the same level of warmth as insulated hiking boots, which could be a consideration for colder climates.
In terms of support, the stability shank does a commendable job of providing lightweight underfoot support, allowing you to navigate uneven surfaces with confidence. However, hikers seeking high ankle support may still want to consider more traditional boots for extended excursions.
Fit-wise, the KEEN Contoured Fit adapts well to the foot's natural shape, but some users have reported a narrower fit, so trying them on beforehand is advisable, especially if you have wider feet. Overall, if you prioritize lightweight performance and breathable comfort in your hiking gear, the KEEN Women's Zionic Low is certainly worth considering.
Detailed Rating
| Category | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | 4.5/5 | Excellent cushioning and breathability enhance comfort on long hikes. |
| Traction | 4.8/5 | High traction lugs ensure stability on various rugged terrains. |
| Support | 4.0/5 | Good underfoot support, though limited by the low-cut design. |
| Durability | 4.5/5 | Built to withstand wear and tear, particularly in high contact areas. |
User Reviews
I wear mostly New Balance size 8 in tennis shoes, and these are a little more roomy. I can wiggle my toes around, and even straight out of the box, these feel comfortable. The laces are light and stretchy — I’m not sure if I like this or not, as they don’t feel as securely laced to me. But they certainly don’t fall off, so I think it’s just a change to get used to. I love that they are more waterproof than most of my tennis shoes, as it’s mud puddle season now, even when just walking on sidewalks. The black is nice and dark, and there are fairly subtle brand marks and logos on them.The only downside for me is that the heels are tall, and they rub against my Achilles tendon. If I were wearing them for a long hike, I’d need to add some bandaids or moleskin to prevent the rubbing. For day-to-day use, they’re okay for me as long as I don’t wear shorty socks.
I am a suburban mom with plantar fasciitis and a desk job who does not get enough exercise- not exactly the target audience for these shoes. Spoiler- I love them!The images in the listing do not do justice to the color. The orange truly reminds me of the embers of a campfire. It is such a fun vibrant color on a shoe. The sea moss seems to be just a shade of grey. I liked that this is a color that could hide a little dirt.I broke the shoes in while running errands on the weekend. no issues.First "hike" was a two hour dog walk through the local suburban terrain. I normally have feet and leg discomfort about 20 minutes into a walk. This time I was ok to go much longer than I usually do. My toes did not tingle as they sometimes do on long walks in other athletic shoes.The real test came when I took them to Orlando for 6 days of amusement park binge. I brought these and two other walking shoes from the local supportive shoe shop. These and another pair were the best on my feet.The KEEN Women's Zionic Low Height Breathable All Terrain Hiking Shoes made it through a day trekking through Africa, Asia, Pandora, and Dinosaur USA. My feet were no worse at the end of the day then they were at the beginning. If I was wearing my normal walking shoes, I would have been in pain by noon. I love these shoes!I paired wearing these shoes during the day with recovery slides at the hotel in the evening and morning and icing at night before bed.I am so glad I found these shoes. They are cute, fit well and keep me walking.At the expensive good for you feet shoe store, they suggested I wear a size 10 in walking shoes. I have these shoes in 9.5 and they were just as comfortable and well fitting as the size 10 in the popular shoe that rhymes with moka. The shoes are lightweight and flexible. The toe bed is roomy to keep my "piggies" comfortable. They were just as supportive and comfortable as another pair of walking shoes, but were lighter and less bulky. I may need supportive shoes for my foot issues, but I like wearing shoes that do not look like I have foot issues.
I bought these for work since I’m constantly on my feet, they are very very uncomfortable! I have only wore them for 3 days 10 hrs each day! I wish I could get a refund I don’t recommend them at all.
This is a review of the KEEN Women's Zionic Low Height Breathable All Terrain Hiking Shoes. These shoes fit perfectly. They are very light and have great support. The sole has great cushion. Love these shoes.
I was disappointed with the KEEN Women's Zionic hiking shoes because they seemed to be made of low quality, about a half size too large and they have very little cushion and support. Some of the features are the low height, they seemed fairly breathable, but the color was different from the pictures. I don't recommend these hiking shoes--three stars.
I’m not impressed by the “performance mesh” material of this shoe. It feels pretty inflexible and is uncomfortable where it bends right above my toes. After wearing them a couple of times, the shoes did provide nice cushioning. Sadly, on the third wear, they began rubbing on the side of my foot and caused a blister. I really wanted to like these, because I got a pair of more traditional looking KEEN hiking shoes for my daughter, and those are working great for her, but these are not great. I recommend looking for other hiking shoes.
KEEN made a huge pivot in shoe design from last year’s NXIS EVO model to this new Zionic and I’m thrilled with the new comfort factor - KEEN Zionic Speed - 8.5 - Ember Glow/Sea Moss. This shoe sheds the heavier and stiff support of the EVO and embraces the cushy trail runner. The bottom sole is thick, amazing in comfort. There’s plenty of width and good length. It’s a regular athletic shoe size fit, a much roomier fit than the EVO. Do not size up on this shoe.I’m a size 8.5 in most shoes, a 9 in stiff hikers (with thick socks). I ordered an 8.5.The heel fit is noticeably loose to start, there’s also generous width, but neither is a problem in action. There’s good side support around the base of the shoe and mid-foot as I do steep descents - the design keeps my feet in place, my toes don’t crash the toe box. This side support also comes with comfort, it’s a cushioned hold. The shoe’s grip easily handles my steep loose dirt trails.High marks all around. Comfort, fit, performance.Profile: Female. I live in a hot climate, hike on loose dirt trails with a lot of steep (and slippery) ascents and descents. Fit is to my athletic shoe size (slightly wide feet), I wear medium/medium-lightweight socks.Note: This is the Speed model. Lightweight, Breathable, High Performance, Not Waterproof. A fast-trail silhouette.Note: I did a NXIS EVO vs. Zionic Speed comparison for top performance needs. The NXIS Speed and Zionic Speed have similar cushion but different audiences. The NXIS Speed leans weekend warrior (flat terrain hiker), Zionic is a trail performer.