If you’re reasonably fit and your joints are in good shape, a pair of trail running shoes could well be a viable lightweight option for hiking, as championed by some of our testers. The Keen NXIS EVO Waterproof is a dedicated hiking shoe, but with the lightweight DNA of a trail runner, offering a balance of traction, protection and support for fast-paced hikers and those who like a lighter shoe.  

Lara Dunn’s Best in Test

Thankfully, the price reflects this and given how versatile a shoe this is – it looks good and goes great with jeans- they actually demonstrate excellent value for money. 
Pros
  • Flexible trainer-like feel and fit
  • Lightweight
  • Comfy
Cons
  • Not as durable as some
Quick specs
Price: £135
Weight: 642g (for size 39)
Materials: Mesh and textile upper, KEEN.DRY waterproof membrane, KEEN.ALL-TERRAIN rubber outsole
Features: KonnectFit heel-lock lacing, reinforced high wear areas, 4mm multi-directional outsole lugs
Sizes: UK4-UK9 / EU37-43 (including half sizes)
Women’s/Men’s Version: Women’s (men’s direct equivalent available)
www.keenfootwear.com

The Keen NXIS EVO are so comfortable straight from the box and give such an agile and bouncy trail experience that they have quickly become my go-to hiking shoe. I prefer them with a daypack or no pack at all, for that mountain goat-like feeling of freedom, but they’re sturdy and stable enough to cope with a heavier load too, as long as you’re a fit and healthy walker with no joint or balance issues. The fit is very reminiscent of a trail running shoe, with the roomy toe box that Keen are known for, while the lacing system locks the heel area in firmly and securely. The outsole lugs are deep and well-shaped and give good traction on a variety of surfaces and conditions. I’ve been having no issues in the peanut butter-like mud and gravel of the Malverns.

Thanks to the PFC-free treatment of the mesh fabric uppers and the waterproof membrane, these reliably keep feet as dry as shoes can, but without overheating. I wouldn’t hesitate to use them all year round. The fabric uppers are reinforced in high wear areas and also feature a rubber toe bumper but they do age in much the same way as trail running shoes, so somewhat quicker than you’d expect from your average hiking shoe. Thankfully, the price reflects this and given how versatile a shoe this is – it looks good and goes great with jeans- they actually demonstrate excellent value for money. 

Written and tested by Lara Dunn

Lara usually takes a size UK5.5/6 or EU38.5/39 depending on fit/shape/purpose of footwear. She does find that heel lift can often be a problem due to particularly narrow heels. This shoe was mostly tested on short and longer day walks in the Malvern Hills during an unusually wet autumn and winter, with additional forays to the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains, with and without a rucksack.