A review of the KEEN Zionic NXT hiking boots featuring three short hikes. These were gifted for review purposes, but this is not a sponsored post.
I’ve always had a soft spot for KEEN. They make the kind of gear that quietly gets on with the job; no fuss, no blisters, just reliable comfort and durability for adventures both every day and extraordinary. So, when I was offered the chance to test out their new Zionic NXT Waterproof Hiking Boot, I didn’t hesitate.
The pair I received came in the ‘ballad blue’ colourway, though let’s be honest, they’re basically white. Well, they were white. Not the most obvious choice for countryside rambles, especially when you’re partial to muddy puddles and bramble scrambles. But there’s something about them that works. On foot, they look and feel more like trainers than boots: sleek, lightweight, and stylish enough to wear beyond the trail.
Together, we’ve clocked up a good few miles now, through woodland trails, across limestone ridges, and along farm tracks. And so, as with all my gear reviews, this one is rooted in real-world use. To give you a proper sense of how the Zionic NXT performs, I’ve chosen three short hikes I’ve done in them recently. One was the loop I did during my Magic Mushroom Quirky Stay, a decent length local wander up and over my local hill, and a longer (and wetter) 9‑mile hike in the Sirhowy Valley in South Wales.
But before we get into those, let’s take a closer look at what the KEEN Zionic NXT is all about.
About the KEEN Zionic NXT
The Zionic NXT (find them here) is KEEN’s latest answer to the modern hiker who wants performance without bulk. Designed for fast-paced hiking and light trail adventures, they sit neatly between a traditional boot and a trainer. Agility, grip, and waterproofing are all here, but without the weight or stiffness that can make some boots feel like overkill for everyday walks. They feel like an athletic shoe, perfect if you value comfort and responsiveness on trail.
Spec-wise, KEEN has built these with a performance mesh upper reinforced by TPU overlays, striking a balance between breathability and structure. Their KEEN.DRY waterproof membrane has already proved itself on my walks: drizzle, heavy rain, even a path that had turned into a river, and my feet stayed dry. The silhouette is athletic, hugging the heel while leaving the toe box roomy, while the outsole uses KEEN’s All-Terrain rubber with multi-directional lugs that grip well on UK trails, grassy slopes, and gravel paths. Add in a removable PU insole, a stability shank for midfoot support, and a padded collar that avoids rubbing even on longer days out, and you’ve got a boot designed with comfort and versatility in mind.
All of this adds up to a boot for hikers who like to get on with it. If you’re used to traditional leather styles, the Zionic NXT will feel like a revelation: supportive yet agile, protective yet easy to wear. For long-time KEEN fans, it’s a natural evolution of favourites like the Terradora, carrying forward that comfort-first ethos. And while my trusty Meindl Bhutans still have their place for tougher days, they’re staying at home more often now that I’ve got these in rotation.
Straight Out of the Box: Hiking at Weedon Bec
The boots arrived with perfect timing, delivered just an hour or two before I was due to leave for my quirky stay at the Magic Mushroom Cabin in Dodford. Sensible advice says you should wear new boots on a few short strolls to break them in, but the pull of newness was too strong. Into the car they went, ready for their first outing.
The walk itself was a gentle 5.5‑mile loop suggested by the cabin’s owner in the welcome folder. It led me from Dodford to Weedon Bec and back, a really pretty circuit that made the most of a beautiful September day. The route wound across fields, along tarmac lanes, through grassy meadows, on one incredibly muddy farm track, and for the most part followed the towpath beside the Grand Union Canal. Towpath walking is always a favourite of mine; easy, peaceful, and full of small moments of life. Moored boats, ducks skimming the water, the occasional ripple of conversation from the bank. I found myself wondering what a long-distance canal walk might feel like – a slow, linear adventure for a future long weekend, perhaps.
As for the boots, they passed their first test with ease. Comfortable straight out of the box, my usual size fitted perfectly, with plenty of wiggle room for my toes. They felt light to wear, with a kind of bounce in the sole that made the flat terrain feel effortless. Grip was solid, even on the slick mud of that farm track, and – somehow – they stayed mostly white despite that. A promising start, and one I captured in my Magic Mushroom video, so you can see…
Tried and Tested: Autumn Miles on Cleeve Hill
October brought many of those soft, grey days – barely any hint of blue sky, but still lovely as autumn began to settle in. I set out on an old favourite: a 7-mile loop across Cleeve Hill, taking in Breakheart Plantation. It’s a route I return to again and again, partly for the views across the valley that never fail to lift my spirit, and partly because it packs so much variety into a single walk. Two trig pillars, a stretch of the Cotswold Way, farmland, steep‑sided woodland, and the best bits of Cleeve Common (in my opinion!) – and in the most part, steering clear of the most crowded parts the highest point in the Cotswolds.
The terrain here makes it a perfect test route for new boots. There are steep ascents and descents, paths that can turn slick when wet, and a mix of surfaces that demand both grip and comfort. The Zionic NXT handled it all with ease. I felt confident on the climbs and secure on the slippery woodland paths, the outsole biting into the ground well. Inside the boot, the fit was snug but forgiving – no slippage, no rubbing, no hint of blisters. They felt light and responsive, which made the ups and downs less of a slog and more of a rhythm.
I think I’ve taken every new pair of hiking shoes or boots on this loop at some point, and it never fails to reveal their strengths and weaknesses before I take them anywhere more technical. For the KEEN Zionic NXT, it was another tick in the box: comfortable, grippy, and well‑suited to the kind of varied terrain that makes Cleeve Hill such a joy to walk.
Water, Mud, and Autumn Colour: Sirhowy Valley
Early November found me in South Wales, walking a 9‑mile loop in the Sirhowy Valley with a friend. The route was gorgeous – it was full blown autumn, with woodland glowing gold and russet, and big valley views from the ridge. But it had been very wet in the days leading up to our walk, which made it an excellent test for the boots.
We began with a long stretch along the river on a woodland path that was part tarmac and part riverside trail, before climbing steadily through the trees to reach the top. From there, the ridge offered wide views across the valley, though the paths were muddy and slick in places. The descent was somewhat challenging: steep, slippery, and so saturated that the stream and path had merged into one. We had to wade through proper puddles, the kind that would normally send me reaching for my heavy leather boots instead of trail shoes.
The KEEN Zionic NXT proved their worth. The waterproofing held up beautifully, and my feet stayed dry despite the standing water and flowing streams. And the lighter build kept me nimble on the climbs and descents. They gripped well on the mud, and the fit meant no slippage inside the boot, even on the steep downhill sections. I was glad not to be weighed down by heavier leather boots, especially with the temperature still mild enough to make them feel stifling.
It was a route that showed off both the beauty of the valley and the versatility of these boots. And if you’re looking for walking inspiration, my friend found this one the Gower, Swansea and Cardiff edition of the OS Pathfinder Books (here on Amazon), which are well worth exploring for ideas.
Final Thoughts on the KEEN Zionic NXT
Across three very different walks – the gentle canal loop from Dodford, my favourite on Cleeve Hill, and the wet, ridge in the Sirhowy Valley – along with many other miles walked, the KEEN Zionic NXT have proved themselves more than capable. Comfortable straight out of the box, light and responsive on varied terrain, and reliably waterproof even when the path turned into a river, they’ve done everything I’ve asked of them so far.
What I’ve noticed most is their consistency. On flat towpaths they felt bouncy and trainer‑like, on steep woodland descents they gripped solidly, and on muddy ridges they kept my feet dry and secure. They’re not the kind of boots I’d reach for when I need heavy leather protection, but that’s exactly the point. The Zionic NXT offers a nimble alternative for days when you want the reassurance of a boot without the bulk, and the ease of a trainer without the compromises.
But No Negatives?
I’ve not found anything negative to say in this review, and honestly, I can’t think of a fault yet. They’re not the best boots ever made, but they are very decent indeed – especially for the kind of low‑level hiking I’ve been doing in them to date. At £160, they sit about right for the specification when compared to other boots in the same category. If they last a few hundred miles, they’ll be worth it. You’ll find them here on the KEEN website.
For KEEN fans, they feel like a natural evolution: sleek and light, but still grounded in that comfort‑first ethos. And for anyone looking for a versatile boot that bridges everyday walks and more adventurous trails, they’re a strong contender. I’ll let you know how they fare when I take them for a little outing in Cumbria next month – but for now, they’ve earned their place in my rotation.
With thanks to KEEN for sending me this pair of the Zionic NXT hiking boots to try out this autumn. I’ll let you know how they continue to perform as I use them more.
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