Bushwalking gear and paraphernalia. Electronic gadget topics (inc. GPS, PLB, chargers) belong in the 'Techno Babble' sub-forum.

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TIP: The online Bushwalk Inventory System can help bushwalkers with a variety of bushwalk planning tasks, including: Manage which items they take bushwalking so that they do not forget anything they might need, plan meals for their walks, and automatically compile food/fuel shopping lists (lists of consumables) required to make and cook the meals for each walk. It is particularly useful for planning for groups who share food or other items, but is also useful for individual walkers.
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Keen Footwear - newer models?

Fri 10 Mar, 2017 4:39 pm

I own numerous models from http://www.keenfootwear.com.au/, where I have extremely broad/rectangular-shaped feet. One of the models I wear are a particular Targhee model in a mid-cut (although I have a few other models). All the Keen's I've worn have fitted my feet better than any other shoe I've ever worn, and mainly because of the broad/wide toe box area. This is truly an ingenious design.

What I've just found out recently is that Keen have brought out a new range of Trail shoes that are seemingly lighter than the previous models. Not as suitable for serious rough, rocky, rugged terrain....but seemingly much more suited to well worn trails where you'd need a shoe a little more like Trail Running shoe (lighter, less protection, more flex through the sole). These new ranges are:

- Aphlex - http://www.keenfootwear.com.au/Products?q=aphlex

- Versavent - http://www.keenfootwear.com.au/Products?q=versavent

- Versago - http://www.keenfootwear.com.au/Products?q=versago

- Versatrail - http://www.keenfootwear.com.au/Products?q=versatrail

Has anyone worn/tried any of these ranges above? In particular, anyone with really wide/broad feet? My main concern with any footwear I by is not just the width....but the width of the toe box. This really limits what shoes are suitable for me.

Re: Keen Footwear - newer models?

Sat 11 Mar, 2017 5:23 am

the versavent for one looks like it might be low a rise midsole at the heel. but nothing in the product details tells you.
they look similar to salomons and inov8's low rise footwear

Re: Keen Footwear - newer models?

Sat 11 Mar, 2017 9:22 am

wayno wrote:the versavent for one looks like it might be low a rise midsole at the heel. but nothing in the product details tells you.
they look similar to salomons and inov8's low rise footwear


Thanks for your reply. Sorry, I don't quite understand this bit:

wayno wrote:the versavent for one looks like it might be low a rise midsole at the heel.


Also, do you know if they have a broad toe-box?

Re: Keen Footwear - newer models?

Sat 11 Mar, 2017 12:35 pm

most footwear the heel of the midsole foam is 8mm higher than the forefoot, some brands have 4mm, some have none, these look like around 4mm, if you're used to 8mm you may find you feel strain in your calf and achillies because they will be stretched more than you're used to with the lower heel.
i believe keens suit wide feet, i dont fit narrow shoes and i fit keens in the forefoot ok, but their heels dont fit mine well...

Re: Keen Footwear - newer models?

Sat 11 Mar, 2017 3:48 pm

wayno wrote:most footwear the heel of the midsole foam is 8mm higher than the forefoot, some brands have 4mm, some have none, these look like around 4mm, if you're used to 8mm you may find you feel strain in your calf and achillies because they will be stretched more than you're used to with the lower heel.
i believe keens suit wide feet, i dont fit narrow shoes and i fit keens in the forefoot ok, but their heels dont fit mine well...


Thanks bigtime for your reply wayno.
I have very (ridiculously) wide feet, and the various pairs of Keen's I already own fit my feet better than any other brand of shoe I've ever worn. Your comments below? -

wayno wrote:these look like around 4mm, if you're used to 8mm you may find you feel strain in your calf and achillies because they will be stretched more than you're used to with the lower heel.


Well understood and taken into consideration.

My major concern is the four types of Keen's I've mentioned above maaaaaaaaay not have as wide a toe-box as some of their other models - I just don't know. And toe-box width is my #1 concern.
What I'm trying to discern now is whether to try the new Keen's....or try some Altra's (which I'd have to order online) that have the following features -

https://www.altrarunning.com/run-better#FootShaped

https://www.altrarunning.com/run-better#ZeroDrop

Re: Keen Footwear - newer models?

Sat 11 Mar, 2017 4:08 pm

altras are zero rise, or zero drop midsoles, even height from forefoot to heel
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