I walked over 50 miles through streams, on mountains and even a glacier in these Keen boots — and they never once let me down

I love going on hikes and spending time in nature, away from the distractions of life. But to fully enjoy a long walk, I need reliable shoes that will keep my feet dry and blister-free. For a pair to be deemed the best hiking boots, they need to be comfortable, grippy and waterproof — and the Keen Zionic NXT Mid Waterproofs are just that.

In the time I’ve spent testing the Zionic NXT Mids, I’ve walked over 50 miles in the U.K. and Iceland, and I can confidently say that they’re fantastic for nearly every environment. They’re extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time, and Keen’s proprietary waterproofing ensures your socks don’t get soaked. Whether you’re walking on sharp rocks or wading through muddy water, these boots will have your back.

Should you buy them? Heck yes! Read my full Keen Zionic Mid Waterproof review to find out why.

Keen Zionic NXT Mid Waterproof review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? A pair of waterproof hiking boots from Keen, suitable for both dry and wet terrains
• Who is it for? Anyone who wants a pair of rugged, comfortable boots
• How much does it cost? $184 / £160
• What do we like? They’re extremely comfortable, highly waterproof, and they provide a fantastic, sturdy grip on most surfaces
• What don’t we like? They’re waterproof, yes, but not Gore-Tex waterproof (and it really doesn’t matter much)

Keen Zionic NXT Mid Waterproof review: Specs

Keen Zionic NXT Mid Waterproof review: Price & availability

The Keen Zionic NXT Mid Waterproof hiking boots are available for both men and women. If you buy directly from Keen, they cost $185 / £160. While they cost the same at Amazon U.S., they’re pricier at Amazon U.K., retailing for £239, which is also the case with many other Keen shoes, such as the Keen Zionic Mids ($170).

Women can get the Zionic NXT Mids in one of three lovely colorways: Ballad Blue/Winter Green, Beaujolais/Pink Lemonade, and Safari/Cork. There’s also a range of sizes available. In the U.S., women’s sizes range from 5 to 12, and in the U.K., they range from 3.5 to 9. On either side of the pond, a few half sizes are available too.

As for the men’s boots, there are three dark colors available: Dark Olive/Black, Triple Black, and Naval Academy/Bright Marigold. Sizes range from U.S. 7 to 15 and U.K. 6-14, and as is the case with women’s boots, there are a few half sizes on offer.

The Zionic NXT Mids aren’t the most expensive boots nor the cheapest either, so they can be best described as mid-range. They’re priced similarly to the Zionic Mids, the Keen Targhee IV ($169) and the Keen Hightrail Mids ($155). They’re also cheaper than the Scarpa Rush 2 Mid GTX ($219) — but the price difference gets you Gore-Tex waterproofing.

Keen Zionic NXT Mid Waterproof review: Design

Okay, Keen boots and sandals aren’t necessarily the best-looking shoes out there, as we’ve seen with the Keen Hyperport H2 sandals ($120). When I first took the Zeen Zionic NXT Mid Waterproofs out of their box and showed them around the office, my coworkers weren’t impressed by their visual aesthetics.

Beauty is, of course, subjective, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like the way these boots look — and I really, really like them. As someone who wears all-black Doc Martens almost all the time, I love the Ballad Blue/Winter Green variant. They look rugged but also slightly futuristic, and I compared them to a pair of basketball shoes when I first put them on.

But looks mean nothing if the shoes aren’t comfortable, and lucky for the Zionic NXT Mids, they are extremely comfy. I was able to wear them straight out of the box and I didn’t need to break them in at all. They sport Keen’s ‘Contoured Fit,’ which you’ll also find on the Keen Zionic Mids. The boots are more streamlined than a straight or wide fit, which makes them fit snugly around your feet.

Much like other Keen shoes I’ve worn, the Zionic NXT Mids are made of recycled P.E.T. plastic, and no glue has been used in their construction. The boots also utilize breathable ripstop mesh, which protects them from ripping and tearing. This gave me peace of mind when I was walking on jagged rocks, as I could rest assured that they’d survive it all.

Soft and flexible, I noticed my feet moving and bending naturally when I wore these boots. Having that extra bit of flexibility also meant that I could find and keep my footing easily, regardless of the terrain — and it made climbing on big boulders effortless too.

I love how bouncy the Zionic NXT Mids are, thanks to resilient foam insoles that provide cushioning and lightweight plates in the midsoles for added stability. Combine that with their lightweight form (10.98oz per shoe), and I felt like I was walking on clouds.

In real-world application, do these shoes actually feel good to wear? I’ve worn the Zionic NXT Mids for over 50 miles; I wore them through my entire five-day trip to Iceland and in the weeks leading up to it. Not once have I felt any discomfort or as if my feet were developing blisters or calluses.

Keen Zionic NXT Mid Waterproof review: Performance

When I was packing for my trip to Iceland, I had to choose between the Keen Zionic NXT Mids, the Keen Zionic Mids and the Salomon Super Cross 4s. I knew my trip was going to involve walking on jagged rocks, slippery boulders, glaciers, sandy beaches with volcanic sand and streams of water.

The shoes I settled for? The Zionic NXT Mids, and I don’t regret it one bit. Rain or shine, they never let me down — even once. Regardless of where I walked and hiked, the Zionic NXT Mids were unscathed, and my feet remained dry and blister-free.

Water

The Zionic NXT Mids feature 4mm multi-directional lugs, which are raised rubber projectors on the outsole, and these provide impact traction. The deeper the lugs, the better the grip in the wet, and the shallower the lugs, the better the grip on dry surfaces. The Zionic NXT Mids are fantastic as they gave me great grip in the water and on slippery surfaces.

I stood on many wet boulders in front of Icelandic waterfalls, and I never once slipped or felt like I was losing my grip. Wading through gushing streams of water with sandy and pebbly floors was a walk in the park, too.

Similar to other Keen shoes and sandals, the Zionic NXT Mids utilize the brand’s proprietary KEEN.DRY waterproofing technology, so you don’t get Gore-Tex, which is the pinnacle of waterproofing and a household name. But does that matter much? Not really, as I’ve been extremely satisfied with the Zionic NXT Mids.

My partner gasped a few times when my feet went straight into the water as she was worried I’d have wet socks — and there are few things worse than soggy socks on a cold day, long hike, or both. On more than one occasion, the boots were entirely underwater with just their top part sticking out, and no water made it in. In fact, I got so confident that I stopped trying to find rocks to put my foot on in shallow water and put my entire foot in instead.

Hiking

The Zionic NXT Mids are very grippy, making them ideal for hiking. I hiked up a hill on the outskirts of Bath, U.K., but the majority of the testing came from hiking up mountains and even a glacier in Iceland. I never lost my grip, even on ice, and when I had to climb up a steep path, I appreciated the Zionic NXT Mids’ flexibility.

I also walked behind waterfalls where the terrain was highly slippery, and my clothes were drenched from the mist, but my feet remained dry. I never once worried about losing my grip while standing on a wet boulder right next to a waterfall, either. Jumping down from it was effortless too — as soon as I landed, the Zionic NXT Mids were firm on the ground.

The Zionic NXT Mids also feature rubber toe bumpers to protect your toes and keep sand and debris out. I hit my toes against a few rocks on hikes, but I didn’t feel any pain. Walking on the Reynisfjara black sand beach in Iceland was easy too, as I didn’t need to worry about sand getting in.

On the final night of our Iceland trip, my partner and I hiked out of Reykjavik to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. The temperature had dropped to 37°F/ 3°C, so we had to dress warmly. Even though the Zionic NXT Mids have a streamlined fit, I like how much space there is for wearing two layers of socks. My feet felt extremely snug and warm, and the Zionic NXT Mids did well not to let in cold wind.

Everyday

These boots are perfect for hiking and water, yes, but they’re great for everyday use, too. I wore them out and about in cities, to the grocery store, to work, on a short run, you name it. I was able to stand on my feet for hours without worrying about blisters, thanks to just how comfy the Zionic NXT Mids are. I felt no discomfort walking on roads, concrete and pavements.

Keen Zionic NXT Mid Waterproof review: Maintenance

Taking care of the Keen Zionic NXT Mids is extremely easy. Keen recommends using mild soap and cold water to clean the Zionic NXT Mids, and a stiff brush or soft cloth to clean excess dirt. You should also air-dry them away from heat — so don’t go sticking them in front of an open fire!

My boots got fairly muddy after a long walk in the Somerset countryside in the southern part of the U.K., so I followed Keen’s instructions to get them back to their original shiny state. Needless to say, it didn’t take me long to clean the boots.

I also noticed that they dried fairly quickly after having used soap. I kept them on my living room’s windowsill when the sun was out, and it took just under four hours for them to become bone dry. This is much quicker than the Keen Hightrail Mids, which took nearly 24 hours to dry when we reviewed them.

Keen Zionic NXT Mid Waterproof review: Verdict

Before testing the Keen Zionic NXT Mid Waterproofs, I was wearing the Keen Zionic Mids on hikes and long walks, and they have just been replaced by their (superior) sibling. The Zionic NXT Mids are ridiculously comfortable for all-day wear, and they provide a sturdy grip on dry and slippery surfaces, as I found after walking over 50 miles in them in both the U.K. and Iceland.

While they don’t utilize Gore-Tex, Keen’s proprietary waterproofing is the next best thing. Even if the shoes were completely underwater, no water got in and my socks remained dry. They’re perfect for traversing tricky terrain, and I also think they look cool and low-key futuristic.

If you’re on the hunt for a new pair of hiking boots that won’t let you down, come rain or shine, I can’t recommend the Zionic NXT Mids enough. They have my seal of approval.