BWCA Keen or Merrell or ??? Boundary Waters Gear Forum
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airmorse
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07/02/2015 09:05AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I'm in the market for some new foot wear. I've have Keen for the a few years now and seem to go thru a pair a year. To be fair I wear them year round, rain, snow, cold, heat. I take them to the BW and wet foot. I like them a lot but after about 6 or 8 months they start to break down. Then I nurse them for a few months more before I break down and buy new ones. So it is that time now where I start looking for new foot wear.

So have any of you had better luck with different foot wear. I was thinking of giving Merrell Saugatucks a try this time.

Thanks in advance.
 
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Dammfast
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07/02/2015 09:14AM  
I have always been a teva guy, and I have the same experience as you. I also wear them all the time. I just bought my first pair of keens and like them but they are not my Tevas. I think a year for a pair of shoes that take as much abuse is probably pretty good.
 
OldFingers57
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07/02/2015 09:37AM  
I'm a Teva guy too. My pair I've had since 1990. They have been on dozens of canoe trips, used for bping camp shoes 100s of times and have been on vacations to Mexico and Jamaica numerous times. They are finally getting to the point now of needing to be replaced. As the rubber on the straps is coming off.
 
07/02/2015 09:42AM  

Although durability and longevity are nice qualities, I personally find comfort and support to be the most valuable assets. I tried several different models of Merrel's on at the stores, but they just didn't feel right. The arch support just wasn't there for me.

I have several different pairs of Keen's, (i.e., sandals, hikers, etc.) and I love them. They feel right to me and I like the large toe box that's somewhat of a design trait of Keen footwear.

Hans Solo
 
07/02/2015 10:07AM  
Asolo Fugitive GTX for a small foot box...
Salomon Quest GTX if you want a wider foot box.

Not to bash on the brands you listed because they are just fine for most occasions but they have become kind of a joke in the hiking world. (My current hikers are KEENS and they are my last pair.)

If you want a good long lasting pair of boots, pay the price and get something made in Europe not Aisa...
 
07/02/2015 10:35AM  
Keen quality has deteriorated. Early pairs of H20 lasted three years or more, recent ones about a year. Other than sand and grit getting in they are a good water shoe. I have good fit with Merrell, but other wise fully agree with Hans Solo...comfort and function. The vibram sole in Merrell does its job well and other than the sand and grit getting in at portages the Sauagtucks look like nice sandals.
Lots of threads about boots vs. sandals so I will leave that alone. Enjoy your decision.
And if you want to do it right I hear there is a canyon hiking boot available that is the best of the best.
 
KarlBAndersen1
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07/02/2015 09:16PM  
I've been wearing my current Keen Arroyos daily - year in and year out - here in Northern Minnesota for more than two years.
They are my mainstay shoes and will be going in to the B'Dub with me on Tuesday.
I have no idea how anyone could ask more of a shoe.
 
Nozzelnut
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07/02/2015 11:32PM  
Used to be a huge Keen supporter; they changed their toe box to have more "traditional" style. I won't buy another boot from them.

I switched to Vasque and have been very pleased. Bought a pair of Vasque Breeze 2.0 GTX and a pair of Vasque Eriksson's for winter. Plenty of toe room.

Happy with both pairs.
 
07/02/2015 11:43PM  
quote KarlBAndersen1: "I've been wearing my current Keen Arroyos daily - year in and year out - here in Northern Minnesota for more than two years.
They are my mainstay shoes and will be going in to the B'Dub with me on Tuesday.
I have no idea how anyone could ask more of a shoe."

those look good
 
LHall
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07/03/2015 01:22PM  
I'm a huge Chaco fan and wear my sandals daily, I'm on my 3rd pair over the past 16 years. Also have a pair of their shoes. Quality is unbeatable. They've recently started making more of a shoe/sandal style (Chaco Outcross Evo) that might fit what you're looking for.

 
07/03/2015 01:59PM  
I am a Keen fan. I just like how it feels compared to others and mine has lasted around 4 years now but I do need another pair.
 
07/03/2015 03:37PM  

I prefer a water boot. Currently have OTBs which I like a lot. Since I only wear wet shoes when canoeing, I seem to be in the minority.
 
ChristineCanoes
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07/03/2015 08:51PM  
I like Chaco sandals - have worn several pairs over the years. I wanted to switch to a close toe or semi closed toe for portaging. I have merrels in the barefoot style and have found them good. I just tried a pair of keens - love the style but I blistered like crazy so I am going to have to see if thay co tinues.
 
07/03/2015 09:34PM  
I bought a pair of these today. very comfortable from the minute I put them on, and priced right. only time will tell if they hold up.
 
airmorse
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07/04/2015 08:02AM  
Thanks for the input. I really like the comfort and closed toe and heal of my keens. I don't think they are a bad shoe. But you would think for the money the tread would stay attached to the shoe. Perhaps I'm just expect too much. I am rather active in them.

Thanks again.
 
07/04/2015 08:39AM  
This is the one I use Keen Shoe and it has held up for quite a while.

Also, not sure if you know but Keen is very good about shoes that don't hold up. You can fill out a form, take a picture, and submit it and they will give you credit for whatever the shoe was initially worth.
 
07/04/2015 10:50AM  
I bought a pair of Keens sandals last year and ready to throw them out as they have had it. Only use for camp shoes and out in yard here at home.

Before I bought the Keens, I had a pair of Sketchers sandals. Cost $60 less than the Keens and last over five years. That pair I wore everyday except while at work. Wish Sketchers still made the ones that I had. This is as close as they come now.
 
Mickeal
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07/05/2015 07:13AM  
I'm with KevenL the last pair of keens I purchased lasted no time before the straps started coming apart. Not a keen sandal fan any longer.
 
Sleepy
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07/07/2015 08:52AM  
Chaco and Vasque fan here. My fist pair of Chacos lasted from 1999-2009. I wear these almost year round. Only leave them at home when snow is on the ground. On my second pair and after about 3 years of use the sole was coming off. I contacted Chaco and they replaced at no charge. They stand by their lifetime warranty. Said they had experimented with a new glue but were not pleased. They are my regular river shoe. I get the ones with the toe loop which is key to keeping your foot in place so you don't bang up your toes on rocks. I fish in them alot around home as I do a lot of wade fishing in the summer.

I also like my Classic Vasque Sundowners. My first pair lasted from 1995-2013. In 2013 the soles became unglued while scaling rocks in BW. I wore those all over the country on many hikes and they are my dry shoe at camp in BW. I reglued them and now use them as work boots on my acerage. I have a new pair that have already hiked through 10 national parks in two years. Solid boot.
 
07/07/2015 09:39AM  
I have an older pair of Merrell shoes that I use in the canoe. They are great for wet footing as they are light weight with mesh sides that allows water to drain out. They are 100% waterproof and dry very quickly for a shoe. The insoles are also removable and are antimicrobial so they don't get funky. Just leave them in the sun and they are dry in no time with no funky foot smell. I'm not sure if they make this pair any more but they were designed specifically for walking in water.

I like the shoes because they offer good traction and flex with a fully enclosed foot. The one weakness is ankle support because they are a low shoe but I prefer traction and flexibility on portages versus rigid supprt. I try to flex my foot and ankle to match the rocks/roots/terrain versus trying to keep my foot and ankle rigid at all costs.
 
07/07/2015 10:04AM  
I had Teva Dozers that were awesome, they fit like they were glued to my feet and had a really aggressive outsole. Teva dropped the ball with the Dozer 3's, which were a far inferior shoe in all regards. I replaced the Dozer 3's with Keen Newport H20's 5/2014 and have never been impressed.
The straps on the sides had the stitching blow out within a couple months and they don't stick a damn when walking on a wet surface.

I see Keen has a more hiking sole type sandal now & Teva resurrected something that looks like the Dozer 2 w/similar sole... I'd be more inclined to give the Tevas a look.
 
Sleepy
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07/07/2015 10:45AM  
Forgot to add if you plan to use a sandal in the water in BW or anywhere for that matter, I advise to avoid anything using velcro. Does not hold up. Original reason I tried Chacos was it only has one buckle and is unaffected by being wet all day. Also, Vibram sole can be resoled just like a boot if necessary.
 
thefourofus
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07/07/2015 12:11PM  
I've been a big fan of Keen for years. I have been through about three pairs of Newport sandals in the last 10 years. They are my primary casual shoe 8 months out of the year. I also use them as water shoes, hikers and certainly my canoeing shoes. within those 10 years I have tried a few other brands including a pair of Tevas, but nothing fit, performed, or held up as well as my Keen's.

I am getting close to needing replacements and some of the above posts are getting me worried that my next pair just won't be the same.
 
07/07/2015 01:05PM  
I like the Merrell Ventilator shoe and the Moab boots. The fit is perfect and the support is just right for me.
 
HikingStick
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07/07/2015 10:15PM  
My Keen experience has been very different from yours.

I picked up my first pair second hand, and went on to wear them for three years. I got my first new pair 18 months ago. They are now in the condition that first pair was when I acquired it. I'm looking forward to another two to three years of wear.

Like you, I wear mine in all seasons and all weather. For a while, I wore them every day for work, too. Now, I wear them every day I'm not in the office, and on those days I switch into them as soon as I'm home. I wear nothing else on the weekends, and have even abandoned my hiking boots on most excursions.

I have noticed that some of their models have different construction/design features. I like the ones that have the strapping that goes through an oblong grommet near the ankle, rather than those that have the strapping stitched in place--I've seen a lot of those on the secondary market with the stitching ripped out.

Here are mine:
 
07/07/2015 10:42PM  
I agree with keens lasting. I have never had a problem with that but it has been a few years since I have bought any. My sandals from them are still like new and my boots have a slight tear in the side which I have repaired. I wonder if the quality has just dropped off recently?
 
airmorse
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08/08/2015 01:43AM  
Well I went ahead and bought a pair of Merrell Saugatucks. I like them a lot. I can tell you this that they are way more comfortable than my Keens.

It is still to be determined how long they will last, however I just came back from spending 6 days in the BW where they were the only footwear I brought. They preformed excellent.

Thank you to everyone who responded to my post.
 
LilyPad
Guest Paddler
  
08/09/2015 09:05AM  
Compared to the Saugatuck (which I haven't owned), I prefer the design of theTeva Omnium. The toe of the Saugatuck looks hot and the reviews confirm this. The reviews also mention the back strap failing. Plus there are very few reviews for the Saugatuck, compared to the zillions for the Omnium.

The Saugatuck has an open heel whereas the Omnium has a mostly closed heel. I've been in emergency situations twice where I had to tow my kayak behind me for long distances, walking along a very rocky lake bottom. Both times my heels got chewed up. Now I always take along sandals or other water shoes with a protective heel and toe. It's also best to have good protection along the sides of your feet.

I've been wearing the Omnium for about 10 years. Eventually I quit wearing running shoes and wear the Omniums almost exclusively. With socks they do very well in cold weather. I find that the insole breaks down after about a year and they start to feel hard. At that point I add a foam insole. I have three pairs, for "dress up," sports, and yard work. As they wear out I downgrade them to yard work. It takes about 5 years to wear them out completely. Teva is very good to deal with, very good customer service. Ignore old reviews about the sole delaminating as the glue problem has been corrected.

The only downside is that the Omniums take a long time to dry in wet or humid weather. If they were your only shoe on a multi-day trip they could be continuously wet. So I wear something else on the water and use the Omniums in camp. For that purpose they're excellent (!) and they can also be used for short hikes.
 
08/09/2015 07:39PM  
I personally LOVE my Keen Targhee II's, and absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE my Bog boots for camp/flat portages that may be under water.

I camp shoulder months - so its usually cold and the Bog boots were AMAZING for that - since they're rated down to -30 F.

Plus they just slip on - so that's a plus too.

I'm personally not a fan of sandals but not for the reason you may think.

I went camping this summer in sandals and my feet were eaten ALIVE my mosquitos and that was 3 weeks ago and I'm still itching like MAD. I won't wear sandals again for that reason. Mosquito bites on the feet are the worst IMO.

 
08/09/2015 11:56PM  
Wore out a couple pair of Merrell hikers in a year. Went to a pair of Go lites (great color lousy shoe) presently wearing Patagonia hikers. Nice shoe.durable and comfortable.
 
08/10/2015 01:51PM  
I like the Arroyo II as they have a closed heal and the slits in the sides don't go all the way to the sole(less crud in the shoe).
 
Abbey
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08/12/2015 09:59PM  
Chaco. Prefer no toe strap so I can add wool socks at night around the camp fire if it's chilly. First pair took about eight years of abuse, second pair will probably last longer since I don't get out as much now. Strong arch support is right for my feet. Also wear their flip flops around town for the real arch.
Occasional toe stub, but I like the quick dry of open toe.
 
amhacker22
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08/13/2015 07:30AM  
I've tripped with Keen Arroyos for several years. They have a great tread, a covered heel and stay on in 2 ft of muck. I love them, and I've had great experience with customer service.
 
08/17/2015 11:02AM  
quote mirth: "I had Teva Dozers that were awesome, they fit like they were glued to my feet and had a really aggressive outsole. Teva dropped the ball with the Dozer 3's, which were a far inferior shoe in all regards. I replaced the Dozer 3's with Keen Newport H20's 5/2014 and have never been impressed.
The straps on the sides had the stitching blow out within a couple months and they don't stick a damn when walking on a wet surface.


I see Keen has a more hiking sole type sandal now & Teva resurrected something that looks like the Dozer 2 w/similar sole... I'd be more inclined to give the Tevas a look."


Wore my Keen Newport H2s on a loop from Snowbank to Knife. They did OK, but are now officially slated for retirement as the neoprene by the ankles is completely shredded and the webbing doesn't have much left to hold on to.
I might consider Keens in the future, but only if they have a more aggressive outsole and have some sort of back of the heel protection.

I still mourn my Teva Dozer 2s.
 
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