Fresh fact: Worried that those warm temps could result in stinky feet? Don’t sweat it! Targhee Vent boots are made with a breathable mesh lining and infused with pesticide-free Eco Anti-Odor that uses probiotic technology to naturally control odor. There was certainly no digging in of the flex point to the foot, which has been a problem with some boots in the past. The Ridge Flex is a lightweight walking boot that uses a combination of leather and synthetic mesh in its uppers. The leather in the boots is from a Leather Working Group ethical source, and the durable water repellent treatment is PFC free. The Keen Ridge Flex also have a natural eco odour-control treatment. Its innovative and unique (as far as I know) feature is the Keen Bellows Flex section at the base of the laced part of the boot, which is a rubberised area linking the forefoot with the ankle section of the boot, at the point where it flexes during walking. There’s also a narrow bellows strip at the base of the ankle cuff.

Keen Ridge Flex Boots: Full review - TGO Magazine

We even took the time to watch and document the lacing and tying support system of the Keen Ridge Flex. I am happy to report that none of the eyelets, hooks, straps or stitching have frayed or failed. Each time I lace these up for a hike or a day on my feet, I have complete confidence that my foot will stay securely where I intend it to be. Some like it hot and some like it just a bit warmer than we typically see here in the Pacific Northwest. Regardless of if you’re hiking through the Grand Canyon or spending a late summer day exploring the Columbia River Gorge, a little extra ventilation can go a long way. That’s why we made the Targhee Vent boot for men and women. With the same easy-going fit and rugged KEEN.ALL-TERRAIN rubber outsole as the Targhee III boot, this version adds mesh vents to the upper creating a breathable design that keeps the air flowing. Underfoot cushioning is good too, thanks to both a moulded EVA midsole and an insole with a generous helping of foam, particularly at the heel. Fit tip: If you’re looking for a more traditional fit, you may prefer the Targhee II. Compared to the Targhee III, it has a slightly elevated heel more like a classic hiker. The brand says this arrangement cuts the amount of energy needed to bend the foot here by 60 per cent, enabling an easier feeling walk. The effort used in flexing a boot while walking is not something I would normally have considered, but having put a few miles in while wearing the Keen footwear, it does actually feel less effort, though that could just be a case of autosuggestion, of course.

Trail-ready no matter the conditions. The Targhee EXP boot for men brings a more modern look to the Targhee franchise with all the same Targhee grit. No matter how big or small the adventure, these boots are primed for it. The KEEN.DRY waterproof construction and the synthetic upper (paired with a durable leather mud shield for splat-proof protection) makes them the obvious choice for weather extremes and follow-wherever-the-compass-leads adventure. The membrane, combined with the leather in the uppers made the Ridge Flex Mid WPs feel quite warm, which was welcome on cool and cold days but less so on longer days when the temperature rose. The forefoot is wide and felt quite roomy. Volume is average. This suited my feet, but they may be less suitable if you have a narrow forefoot. As with all footwear, it’s best to try for fit before you buy. Although the panels are obvious from the outside, there’s no sensation of anything being different on the inside. There are no hard spots or unusual materials to feel uncomfortable on the foot; they feel like any pair of boots. That is, until you start to walk in them. Because you’re not fighting against the boot’s material each step feels smoother. KEEN claims that the Ridge Flex boots with KEEN.BELLOWS FLEX require 60% less energy to bend than similar boots. This is a difficult thing to quantify, but they certainly feel much easier to walk in than other brand-new-out-of-the-box boots. There was some initial discomfort in the instep area when the laces were tightened. Slight loosening helped and eventually this discomfort disappeared.

Keen Ridge Flex boots | LFTO - live for the outdoors First look: Keen Ridge Flex boots | LFTO - live for the outdoors

Some might say the ideal hiking boot is one you don’t think about. Just a piece of gear. A tool used to reach an overlook or summit. Here at KEEN, we think that boots are more than that. A hiking boot is your connection to the outdoors. A means of getting out there, savoring the trail, enjoying this big beautiful ball we call planet Earth. There were no surprises from the Ridge Flex during testing, with the fit and general feel of the boot being very familiar to us due to previous models that we’ve tested, such as the Targhee and Karraig. Although it’s a well-made boot that’ll stand up to rough trails and general abuse, the walking action is very easy due to the quite soft nature of the sole unit allied to the bellows flex feature. While we couldn’t put a precise number on the energy-saving properties of the bellows flex (let alone the 60% Keen claim) – we can confirm that the Ridge Flex feels light, comfortable and eminently capable of keeping your feet in good shape even after many hours of walking. Things we like about the boot include the well-padded ankle cuffs, which provide not just comfort but excellent support, especially when walking on uneven ground or going downhill. The midsole offers good cushioning, but not so much that you lose the feel of the terrain under foot. Our men’s and women’s Targhee III boots have all the trail-hugging traction and KEEN.DRY waterproof goodness of our Targhee II boot, but with a slightly sleeker outsole and a more casual fit. What does that mean for your feet? It means it fits more like a sneaker, with a KEEN.ALL-TERRAIN rubber outsole that lets you feel the trail. No need to drive to the trailhead in different shoes, you’ll be able to feel the pedals no problem! The Bellows.Flex technology that features on the Ridge Flex and its sibling, the Tempo Flex, came as a result of Keen’s desire to make a boot that enables the user to use less energy when walking. Keen figured that quite a lot of energy is used when your heel lifts and the front of the boot flexes, and that over a period of a few hours this energy adds up considerably. Making the boot flex more easily at the forefoot would save a lot of this energy, but how to do it?In terms of niggles, the only issue we’ve had so far was some slight fiddliness when lacing the boots up, as the top two pairs of eyelets are located very closely together. We suspect that the eyelets have been positioned as they are to allow a really secure fit of the boot’s ankle cuffs around the ankles, so despite it taking a second or two longer to tie the laces that we’d have liked (so impatient to get out on the trail as we are!), it’s definitely worth it for the extra secure fit you get as a result.

Keen Ridge Flex Mid WP Review | Tested by GearLab Keen Ridge Flex Mid WP Review | Tested by GearLab

The boots really do flex very easily with virtually no resistance. I’ve worn trail shoes that are stiffer. I find them easy to walk in and certainly more comparable in comfort to a flexible trail shoe than to most boots. I guess they do save some energy, like all flexible lightweight footwear, though how much I can’t say. We’d certainly recommend trying these out before you buy (as with any boot), since although the Keen fit does suit a lot of people it won’t suit everyone – however, aside from this we have no reservations recommending the Ridge Flex as an excellent choice of hiking boot, whether hillwalking in the UK or trekking overseas. I had some experience with Keen boots in the past and knew of the quality of their other waterproof boots. In particular the Anchorage pattern and the non waterproof Targhee series. Knowing that the soles held up well and if anything, they tended to make the feet almost too warm for office or stationary work. This wasn’t going to be an issue with me knowing the new boots intended use and field conditions. Since I knew a fair amount about the brand it made part of the selection process easier. Keen says the boots have ‘million flex goodness’, which I calculate equates to about 1,500km or 932 miles, which will get you from John O’Groats to Land’s End, with a bit to spare.