Hikers with wide hooves, and those who’ve been enjoying the outdoors for many years, will no doubt be familiar, or at least acquainted with Keen. It’s the hiking footwear brand sporting a signature wide fit and loyal following.
Beyond its wide fit shoes, there is plenty about Keen footwear that is appealing. One is its relative value, another is its famous Newport H2 hiking sandal.
But what about the Circadia Waterproof Boot? While Keen’s more well known Targhee model sits at around the £145 price point, the Circadia Waterproof Boot comes in at £120.
Keen calls the Circadia Waterproof Boot its 'iconic hiker, simplified’, elaborating on that by saying the Circadia Waterproof Boot is designed for ‘everyday hiking’. That sounds intriguing, especially with that attractive price tag, so we wanted to find out whether the Circadia Waterproof Boot could cut it as a hiking boot.
Pros
- Wider fit
- Sustainable
- More durable than most lower cost boots
- Great value
Cons
- Not the best grip on muddy terrain
Design and features
Keen has introduced a number of lightweight, trainer-style boots in recent years, but the Circadia Waterproof Boot looks more like its established best sellers. It’s got a mostly leather upper, the brand’s proprietary and well-proven KEEN.DRY waterproof lining, and Keen’s own sole design.
To us, the Circadia Waterproof Boot felt quite durable and well made. Something that did raise, however, was the abundance of stitching that we did wonder could be prone to coming apart in high wear areas.
Underfoot, the Circadia Waterproof Boot has lots of flex for energy efficient walking and comfort and an outsole with 5mm lugs that are less aggressive than those seen on Keen’s Targhee and Ridge Flex models.
Performance
Weighing 585g per boot, the Circadia Waterproof is a midweight boot. There are certainly lighter options on the market, but unlike the ultralight models, we found that the Circadia Waterproof Boot feels a lot more durable and offers greater ankle support.
Keen is onto to a winning concept with its wider fit. It provided us with all-day comfort by letting the toes splay and allowing ample room for the foot to naturally swell on a hike. In addition, we liked the ample cushioning around the ankle and the reassurance its proper toecap gave us.
One criticism we do have is that while the fit is superb, the midsole isn’t especially forgiving. So, long days on hard packed tracks can result in some foot fatigue. On softer terrain, though, we had no issues.
In terms of grip, the outsole works well over the kind of easier terrain it would be expected to spend most of its time traipsing over – forest and hill paths, gravel, and grass, for example. It performed nicely on dry, easy scrambles too.
Predictably, though, we found it began to struggle on damp, steeper terrain.
On the question of stitching and durability, over the course of our months-long testing, we didn’t have any issues. And due to their popularity, we’ve had plenty of anecdotal evidence saying Keen boots last many years of use.
Sustainability
Where the majority of inexpensive hiking boots make little or no mention of eco credentials, Keen is different. There are two sustainability strong points with the Circadia Waterproof Boot.
One is using responsibly sourced leather – all the leather Keen uses is Leather Working Group certified, which ensures things such as a cleaner tanning process and a more transparent supply chain. Another is being PFC/PFAS-free. Keen has been PFC-free since 2018.
We’ve also been impressed the Circadia Waterproof Boot’s durability compared to other lower cost boots, so longevity is also in the Circadia Waterproof Boot’s favour too. However, it would be good to see Keen be more proactive regarding repairs and end of life, but specialist repair outfits such as Lancashire Sports Repairs may be able to help.
Price and competition
RRP of the Keen Circadia Waterproof Boot is £120, which is very good comparative to the majority of its rivals that cannot boast the same levels of comfort, durability, and eco consciousness.
Better still, it’s not hard to find the Circadia Waterproof Boot on sale for well under £100.
One direct competitor we think is worth mentioning is the Jack Wolfskin Vojo 3 Texapore Mid. It’s a similar price and Jack Wolfskin is also more eco conscious and proactive on sustainability than most outdoor gear brands.
The Vojo 3 also has slightly more grip from its outsole, but the Circadia Waterproof Boot is more comfortable, especially for those with a wider foot.
Verdict
Keen’s Circadia Waterproof Boot is a very smart choice for those looking for an affordable hiking boot.
Not only is it good value upfront, but it also has excellent comfort, decent durability, and respectable eco credentials.
How we tested
The Keen Circadia Waterproof Boot was tested by Chris Williams who is one of our staff writers and gear testers, primarily in the Yorkshire Dales over the course of several months.
Chris has been testing gear for us since 2021, and has journalistic, outdoor industry, and basically his lifetime's worth of hiking experience to bring to his gear reviews.