Gear Review: Keen Gypsum Mid

My feet disappeared into the muck on a portage, but inside they are still dry and safe

I've been traversing in a pair of Keen Gypsum Mid hiking boots for over a year and they are still my go-to footwear for pretty much everything (except fancy galas... I get too many looks). I've lost track of the number of kilometres I have put on them from walking to work to hiking deep in the woods, and they still look great.

While they aren't for hiking across the province or for heavy backpacking, these comfy hiking boots are ready for adventure!

The Gypsum Mid has a wide footbed with 4mm lugs that barely have shown any signs of wear. They provided good traction even when descending steep trails covered in slippery Fall foliage.

While offering great heel and arch support plus stability (S3 heel-support structure system, TPU shank, and EVA midsole), the boot is still flexible enough to move with your stride. I didn't find there was any break-in period with the Gypsum, just lace them up and head outdoors.

There was also plenty of room in the toe box, and not once did I get blisters while wearing these boots.

Thanks to their versatility you can use the Gypsums from early Spring, right until the snow begins to fall. They are a touch warmer than regular boots but still light at 539 g per shoe. Just behind the leather uppers is the KEEN.DRY waterproof breathable membrane that has kept my feet dry on every rainy adventure. Sloshing through puddles on a trail is no cause for concern.

If you're looking for the best all-around adventure hiking boot, I highly recommend trying on the Keen Gypsum Mid during your next trip to your local outdoors store. You can order online as well at KeenFootwear.com. A year later and nothing has separated, cracked or ripped, a testament to their build quality.

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