Keen Men's Hood River Boot

George Cook - 2009-07-02

Excellent water boot
Bought these water boots for kayak touring and fishing. Previously had a pair of low cut sneaker type water shoes that allowed mud, gravel and small stones to infiltrate under my feet. These Keen Hood River Boots fit snuggly around the ankle and should eliminate that problem completely. The shoe may run a tad large in sizing but the fit is comfortable in the size that I normally wear. Shoe is well constructed. Only drawback is that the snug fit around the ankle makes putting them on somewhat difficult but I can put up with that as long as I don't have to contend with debris underfoot.

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Michael Montalbano - 2009-05-28

worth it!
Finally bought a pair of great all around water shoes instead of those cheap ones that last a couple of times out. Well worth the investment, these shoes are very comfortable, descent traction, and well built. I use them for river kayaking/fishing. My only caution is that they are not easy to slip on or off, so if that is one of your requirements, I would look at a different shoe. I got a 1/2 size smaller than my normal fit and they fit perfectly. Keen should definitely be a strong consideration.

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Jim - 2009-05-24

Excellent Water shoe
Terrific water shoe, suitable for land or sea activities! Good fit/very supportive/lightweight!!

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> Read All 10 Reviews

George Cook - 2009-07-02

Excellent water boot
Bought these water boots for kayak touring and fishing. Previously had a pair of low cut sneaker type water shoes that allowed mud, gravel and small stones to infiltrate under my feet. These Keen Hood River Boots fit snuggly around the ankle and should eliminate that problem completely. The shoe may run a tad large in sizing but the fit is comfortable in the size that I normally wear. Shoe is well constructed. Only drawback is that the snug fit around the ankle makes putting them on somewhat difficult but I can put up with that as long as I don't have to contend with debris underfoot.

Was this Keen Hood River Boot Review Helpful? - Yes - No

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Michael Montalbano - 2009-05-28

worth it!
Finally bought a pair of great all around water shoes instead of those cheap ones that last a couple of times out. Well worth the investment, these shoes are very comfortable, descent traction, and well built. I use them for river kayaking/fishing. My only caution is that they are not easy to slip on or off, so if that is one of your requirements, I would look at a different shoe. I got a 1/2 size smaller than my normal fit and they fit perfectly. Keen should definitely be a strong consideration.

Is this Handy? - Yes - No (1 of 1 liked this review)

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Jim - 2009-05-24

Excellent Water shoe
Terrific water shoe, suitable for land or sea activities! Good fit/very supportive/lightweight!!

Is this Useful? - Yes - No

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bill hughes - 2008-06-30

2008 /06 /30
These boots are the "ticket" good for all around water sports "summer or winter"!!!!!

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Tim - 2008-06-24

One of the best pair of water shoes ever!
I got to put the river boot to the test last week. They were the best ever. We hiked through a stone creek bed and they had great traction! We also hit some dry trails and the boots were comfortable and lightweight. KEEN does it again!

Is this Handy? - Yes - No

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Roger Titter - 2008-05-27

Perfect !!!!
I needed a water shoe for white water rafting and these are perfect. Won't slip off, light weight, and they will keep my feet warm.

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Adam Holladay - 2009-05-23

NOT for multi-day backpacking
My wife and I both purchased and used the Keen Hood River boots specifically for a multi-day backpacking trip down the Paria River via the Wire Pass and Buckskin Gulch. Though they held together very well under 30lb and 40lb packs under very trying conditions of traversing boulder fields, wading the Paria River several hundred times, and trudging through waist deep mudholes, and lastly over sandstone rocks and sandy trails to the finish line at Lee's Ferry 41 miles later. The boot held together, seriously lacked arch support, and ankle support. Did a great job keeping out the sand and gravel, and did a great job of moving water away from our feet via the screen covered holes in the front of the boot and heel of the boot. The soles were not thick enough to prevent the eventual stone bruises on the balls of our feet, and that was wearing wool socks and neoprene socks in the boots. The boot did perform very well in the boulder fields, and kept our feet warm in combination with 2mm neoprene socks. They maintained their traction crossing sandstone layers, and sandstone boulders, even under wet conditions. I only had one small tear in the side of the boot after the trip. I would not recommend for multi-day packs just do to the lack of a thicker more cushioning sole, and the lack of much needed arch support for such a trip. For day uses in and out of water I would strongly recommend the boot. My wife and I have closet full of Keen shoes and swear by them for the most part and have for over 5 years. We have used almost every type of shoe and boot they have. This would be a GREAT BOOT if it had a thicker sole with a few lugs on it, and better arch support. Thus, after 41 miles of packing with this boot only, I will only give it four stars. For anyone that has packed the Paria Canyon from Wire Pass you will know the boot is one TOUGH water boot.

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DAVID WILLIAMS - 2009-05-22

Stable-Comfortable
Well designed. Never slipped off my foot. Gripped well on rock and other terrain. Bought some other KEEN's because these shoes performed so well.

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Mike ONeill - 2008-08-23

Good Water Shoe Depending on Surface You're Walking Over
I'm not going to sugar coat this as I'm still looking for the perfect shoe that will accommodate all my requirements for all water activities including river running, canyoneering, wet wading/fly fishing. The good...great fit, protective toe, warm, comfortable, good traction on dry surfaces, good on wet surfaces with zero growth, good loops for attaching to backpack. I've worn them both with and without booties and both experiences were positive. The bad, my experience on rocks with any amount of moss or growth even small amounts was challenging with a low center of gravity being the operative word. Shoes I've tried in the past include the Nike ACG Toketee(why they stopped making these I don't know, these were great water shoes, though a stronger toe guard would have perfected it),Salomon Techamphibian(lighter weight than the Keens, slighly worse traction overall, equally or slightly worse in water with any growth, better traction in muddy environments as the sole is more nobby like a hiking shoe, comparable in dry environs...where as the keen is pretty smooth, no nobs and has the super smooth "aquastop" section around the big toe area which sticks to most things not mud or growth). I've tried Numerous fly fishing boots with felt soles, felts soles with studs and the biggest gripe on these is they are too freaking bulky and one dimensional and don't always work. When one of you comes up with the super shoe that can stick to rocks like low end velcro but still lift up and avoids puncturing a raft, let me know.

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Nicholas Deor - 2008-08-04

VERY well made
I wear these while whitewater kayaking and have been very impressed with their traction on mossy rocks, comfort, and quality of construcion. It takes them a good 24 hours to dry completely but I can't think of anything that would make these any better. They seem to run at least a full size small if not a size and a half. I have a high instep and have been very happy with their adjustability as well. Great shoe, great price.

Was this Keen Hood River Boot Review Helpful? - Yes - No (1 of 2 liked this review)

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