crawford
Trail Wise!
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
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Post by crawford on Sept 10, 2019 18:44:06 GMT -8
www.keenfootwear.com/p/M-EXPLORE-VENT.htmlI finally completely wore out my Merrell MOAB shoes after about 600 miles. Actually they were dead at a little over 500, but I just had to do my last 60 mile trek with them. They no longer dried very well, one eyelet tore, and walking on rock was not the most comfortable anymore. I decided it was time to try something lighter that would work well in May-September, dry fast, had a pretty tight heel but had a bit of a wider toe box. Merrells I tried on were just too narrow in the toe box. Like most of us, more years and more miles means toe box needs to be wider as that part of the foot spreads out. I ended up going to Cabelas because it is the nearest store with the biggest selection and they just started carrying a broader range of Keens. I tried on the Explore Vent and it just fit. I did have to go up one full size, which the store clerk indicated was normal with this style. I wore them for a few days around the house to start break in then had about a 16 mile hike on the AT behind the house. They gripped my heels while giving me room in the toe box. They gripped the rock well and importantly they had a firm enough sole to stop me from feeling the smaller stones poking up. They proved comfortable, I got no blisters, and they dried quickly when damp. I've never had trail runners before, and these are sort of like trail runners. I think I've found my warm season shoes for a while.
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Post by bradmacmt on Sept 11, 2019 6:27:33 GMT -8
What's the size & weight for the pair?
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toejam
Trail Wise!
Hiking to raise awareness
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Post by toejam on Sept 11, 2019 9:17:21 GMT -8
They look good on the computer. Anything not waterproof gets my attention.
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Post by Coolkat on Sept 11, 2019 10:37:40 GMT -8
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reuben
Trail Wise!
Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
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Post by reuben on Sept 11, 2019 10:47:10 GMT -8
I have two requirements: 1) not waterproof. 2) not overly garish, which has been the style for the last decade or so. Fortunately, I have pretty average feet, so fit isn't normally an issue for me. I recently picked up a pair of these. I'm not wild about the neon laces, but I'm probably too cheap to spend $3 to replace them. |
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Post by Coolkat on Sept 11, 2019 10:52:22 GMT -8
I'm with ya there. I prefer the un-noticeable tans, grays, and blacks but they must be a thing of the past. On the plus side they are easy to find. |
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crawford
Trail Wise!
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
Posts: 1,775
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Post by crawford on Sept 11, 2019 13:26:04 GMT -8
What's the size & weight for the pair? I got 9.5. Have to weigh them when I get home. |
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crawford
Trail Wise!
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
Posts: 1,775
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Post by crawford on Sept 13, 2019 14:24:28 GMT -8
looks like they weigh 1lb 8oz for the pair
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Post by johntpenca on Sept 13, 2019 18:13:05 GMT -8
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crawford
Trail Wise!
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
Posts: 1,775
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Post by crawford on Sept 13, 2019 18:37:50 GMT -8
Grippy is the word that best describes these shoes as well. I was a but surprised by it. Us small footed guys got to stick together! Glad you found what works for you. I'll check those out when I need to look for my next pair. |
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davesenesac
Trail Wise!
Our precious life is short within eternity, don't waste it!
Posts: 1,710
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Post by davesenesac on Sept 15, 2019 7:39:22 GMT -8
Yeah like you I tend to wear my boots long after others would have tossed them by using E6000 glue. I'm in new hiking boots too but much heavier duty at 3.3# for the pair. Reglued sole holes in my Asolo TPS 320 soles for the last time mid summer and could see full punch through at one toe. So bought a pair of Zamberlan 996 VIOZ GTX from REI that were $305 and have now wore them on last two backpacking trips covering 14 days. Has an excellent grip on a wide range of terrain and my feet seem to do well in them. Well at least my right foot's plantar fascitis continued to disappear. Am wearing some Darn Tuff half crews plus an outer Wigwam inside.
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swmtnbackpacker
Trail Wise!
Back but probably posting soon under my real name ... Rico Sauve
Posts: 4,886
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Sept 29, 2019 17:45:34 GMT -8
www.keenfootwear.com/p/M-EXPLORE-VENT.html.. more miles means toe box needs to be wider as that part of the foot spreads out. I ended up going to Cabelas because it is the nearest store with the biggest selection and they just started carrying a broader range of Keens. I tried on the Explore Vent and it just fit. I did have to go up one full size, which the store clerk indicated was normal with this style. I wore them for a few days around the house to start break in then had about a 16 mile hike on the AT behind the house. They gripped my heels while giving me room in the toe box. They gripped the rock well and importantly they had a firm enough sole to stop me from feeling the smaller stones poking up. They proved comfortable, I got no blisters, and they dried quickly when damp. I've never had trail runners before, and these are sort of like trail runners. I think I've found my warm season shoes for a while. Due to some same issues, I hiked about 250 miles of Oregon ending a couple weeks ago with Tevas (think an older “Terra Fi” model). Wouldn’t do it in the desert, though some do (read one hiker wore Tevas on the GET - Grand Enchantment Trail, from Phoenix to Albuquerque), but they work out fine. Disclaimer: I was on the maintained PCT, however. Thought about Keens but weighing them in Portland, decided to stick with Tevas. Socks take a beating (those straps can abrade)., |
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driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Sept 30, 2019 6:37:35 GMT -8
I also have a problem finding shoes and boots with enough room in the forefoot. A few years ago I bought a pair of Ahnu Coburn, and have been very happy with them. I normally wear size 12, but 11.5 fit me perfectly.
These mids are lightweight & waterproof, and have held up just fine.
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Westy
Trail Wise!
Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
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Post by Westy on Sept 30, 2019 6:51:29 GMT -8
wild about the neon laces These might not be neon, but they are bombproof and I like the fashion statement. P.S. Just received my annual purchase of (3) pairs of Moab 2 Ventilators (not Gore-Tex). Every year they go on sale for $75 somewhere. |
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Post by cweston on Sept 30, 2019 7:13:16 GMT -8
I'll keep those Keens in mind. I do prefer the sneaker look to the "hikey" look of the Moab Vent low, for street wear. (I mostly wear Salomon boots for my hiking: so, for my "alternative" low, non-GTX hiking shoes, I need to get double-duty for street wear.)
I recently bought a pair of Merrell Trail Glove trail runners. I like the fit a lot, but I feel every rock on the soles of my feet, which I'm not wild about.
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