Keen Roam review: trail running shoes that need a little extra support

The Keen Roam are an adaptive trail running shoe designed for gravel, dirt and pavement — basically they’re an everything shoe. Unfortunately, when you try to be good at everything, you can fall short in other areas, but it’s not all bad with these.

They have many traits of some of the best trail running shoes, like waterproofing, excellent traction, a great fit, and a breathable upper for long periods of wear.

However, there’s insufficient cushioning because of the stiff rubber on the outsole, and the shoes lack arch support. To find out more about the sneakers, you can keep reading this full Keen Roam review.

Keen Roam review: Specs

Keen Roam review: Price & availability

The Keen Roam waterproof trail running shoes are available to purchase from the Keen U.S. online store for $180, or from Keen U.K. for £140. The shoes come in women’s U.S. size 5 to 12 and U.K. size 2.5 to 9 with half sizes. In the women’s design, you can pick up the shoes in a variety of colors, including Black/Black, Huckleberry/Ballad blue and Faded denim/Lemon grass.

The men’s design of the shoe is available in U.S. size 7 to 15 and U.K. 6 to 14, again, with half sizes. You can pick up these shoes in colors including Black/Black, Dark olive/Burnt brick and Steel grey/Black.

I tested the waterproof version of this shoe, but you can also buy it in a non-waterproof version, which is a little cheaper. This version will only cost you $165, but for the sake of $15, I’d recommend going with the waterproof design for extra security against the elements.

For more effective cushioning, consider the Salomon Aero Glide 4 GRVL sneakers, which cost $160. These are gravel running shoes that can keep up with all terrains, and more cushioning for any unstable ground you may find yourself on is always best.

The Hoka Speedgoat 7 shoes are our top pick for trail running shoes, and it’s not hard to see why — these shoes can do it all. They are $165, so a little cheaper than the waterproof Keens, but they provide a stable feel that grips well to the ground. You’re trading away some cushioning for the impressive stability, though, so which shoe you opt for is down to personal preference.

Keen Roam review: Design & build

The Keen Roam look just like a regular pair of sneakers. They’re not flashy like most running shoes on the market, and even the brighter color combinations look understated. They have the classic Keen look with a wide toe box, but don’t look — or feel — too bulky.

Each shoe weighs 9.9 ounces, so they’re lighter than normal hiking shoes such as the Salomon XT-6s, which weigh 11.8 ounces, making them a great option for running. The shoes have a heel height of 1.5 inches and a drop value of 0.24 inches. This reduces strain on your calves, but I was feeling some aching in my knees since it shifts the workload higher in your body, such as your knees and hips.

Upper

The upper of the shoes is made from mesh with overlays on the front of the toe box for added durability. This was useful when I was on uneven terrain and would catch the front of the shoe on jagged surfaces. My feet didn’t get too warm when running, so the mesh lining felt breathable.

Insole

The insole of the shoe is cushioned with Keen’s QUANTUMFOAM. This isn’t as springy as I expected, and it actually felt quite tough to run on. Since these are trail shoes, more stability is needed to cope with uneven terrain, so it’s no surprise that these aren’t as bouncy as shoes you’d race in, for instance, but I would have liked a little more spring in my step. It feels like the same level of cushioning I get from their hiking shoes, so for walking in the Roams, this is great, just not for the trail running that they’re intended for.

Outsole

The rubber outsole has multidirectional lugs which aid in traction and grip. The shoe uses KEEN.ALL-TERRAIN traction, and I love this feature in my other Keen hiking boots, as the 2.75mm lugs really dig into uneven surfaces to give you the most stability possible. This feature works well on the Roams, and I noticed a complete difference from my regular running shoes, the New Balance Fresh Foam, that don’t have this level of traction support.

Keen Roam review: Break-in & comfort

Just like their hiking boots, the Keen Roam shoes are good to wear straight out of the box. I didn’t need to break in the shoes at all and didn’t experience any blisters even when trekking, running and climbing hills. This was no shock, as all other Keen shoes I’ve tested have been good to go right out of the box.

Comfort

I found the shoes to be very breathable, and I could wear them for hours at a time when walking. There’s a generous amount of space in the toe box, so anyone with wider feet will be impressed with the comfort of these shoes

As I mentioned above, I wish there was a little more cushioning, as my steps, especially when running, felt very blunt at times. This had a minor impact on my knees and shins, so that’s worth keeping in mind, but it’s something you’ll experience with shoes designed for all terrains.

Keen Roam review: Performance

Overall, I was impressed with the performance of the Keen Roam shoes. While I won’t be reaching for them on every run, I know they are a reliable option when running over uneven terrain, which is ultimately what they’re designed for.

Grip

The grip is excellent. I didn’t feel like I was going to slip or fall, even when the ground I was walking on was a little damp or wet. The lugs dug into the ground to give me the traction I needed in muddy areas, which I appreciated. I think they really come into their own when dealing with clay-like terrains, and this also makes the cushioning feel a little more forgiving. Because of the shape of the lugs on the base of the shoe, I ended up with a few stuck stones, but these were easy to remove.

Support

Personally, I didn’t get enough support from these shoes. Whether I was using them for running or trekking, I just didn’t feel like I had enough arch support. As I’ve mentioned in previous shoe reviews, I have high arches, but Keen is usually a brand I can rely on for some seriously good arch support, such as in their Leiki shoes. I was sad to see it missing here.

After running three miles, I was feeling strain in my knees and down into my shins from a combination of this lack of support and lack of cushioning.

Flex

There is flex in the toe box of the Roams, which is exactly where you want it for running, but walking felt extremely flat-footed. I felt comfortable on more even ground, but my strides still felt a little stunted at times. Having a stiff shoe can be good at times and actually offers more support, but flex is what I prefer for everyday walking.

Waterproofing

The version of the Roam shoes that I tested is waterproof and uses KEEN.DRY waterproofing. I’m familiar with this from previous hiking boots and sneakers I’ve tested from the brand, and I’ve never experienced any water making its way into my shoes. When running through puddles, the Roams didn’t let any water through.

Keen Roam review: Maintenance

Keen provides detailed instructions on how to care for the Roam trail running shoes on its website. It recommends using a soft, damp sponge to remove any loose dirt on the upper of the shoes. Take care not to scrub the shoes during this step to avoid disrupting the waterproofing. Keen adds that any stubborn stains on the shoes should be removed with a gentle cleaner. For this, I just use regular dish soap, which works well.

I also recommend brushing the outsole to dislodge any stones or clumps of dirt that may have become stuck in the shoes after your run or hike.

Keen Roam review: Verdict

The Keen Roam shoes are a good choice if you need one pair of shoes that can carry you through hikes, walks and runs. They’re very versatile thanks to the good traction and waterproofing, and I know I can rely on them come rain or shine. The fit is good, with plenty of room in the toe box, and the mesh upper is very breathable, meaning I could wear them all day and still be comfortable.

However, there isn’t enough cushioning in the soles of the shoes for me, and the lack of arch support meant I found my ankles turning in, which isn’t the best for posture. That said, I’d recommend them for anyone who encounters a lot of varied terrain or doesn’t want to invest in multiple pairs of outdoor shoes.