Advnture Verdict
Our pick of the pack for summer hiking and backpacking adventures in warm weather, these breathable, trainer-like boots deliver on comfort and durability.
Pros
- +
As comfy as trainers
- +
Decent grip
- +
Light and flexible
Cons
- -
Not durable enough to last for years
- -
Not warm enough for winter conditions
You can trust Advnture Our expert reviewers spend days testing and comparing gear so you know how it will perform out in the real world. Find out more about how we test and compare products.
First impressions
The deliciously comfortable Keen Terradora IIs feel as light and forgiving to wear as your favourite pair of sneakers – if comfort is top of your wish list, these are some of the best women's hiking boots for you.
The upper fabric may be soft and tactile, but it’s still waterproof to deal with sudden showers, and Keen’s own-brand All Terrain soles offer decent grip on less challenging terrain (but won’t stand up to scrambling over wet, slippy rock). The Terradora IIs are highly breathable and keep feet comfortably cool in hot weather, but don’t offer much warmth in cooler months – they’re built with summer hikes in mind.
Anti-odour insoles are definitely effective at reducing, if not eliminating, sweaty smells after long days of walking, making these boots a good choice for multi-day backpacking routes.
• RRP: $150 (US) / £110 (UK)
• Weight (per boot): 413g /14.56oz
• Materials used: Synthetic leather Upper; Keen.Dry waterproof/breathable membrane; Keen al-terrain rubber sole
• Colours: Black and magnet/Magnet and ocean wave/Graystone and shark/Timberwolf and coral/Cherry mahogany and bossanova/Dusty olive and nostalgia rose/Majolica and tapestry
• Compatibility: Ideal for summer hiking on less challenging terrain, and backpacking in warmer climates
In the field
We’ve been long-term testing the Keen Terradora IIs (and before that, the original Terradora, which is also a great boot and which you may find for cheaper than its newer counterpart) on hot-weather hiking holidays overseas and summer hikes in the UK alike. Most recently we walked 18 miles over the hottest day of the year – and despite sweating buckets, never felt like our feet were overheating.
The Terradora IIs wick away sweat and keep feet cool, especially when paired with light cotton walking socks. We also rate the cushioning panels around the ankles of the Terradoras, which are comfortable over long distances – but wish the boots could be laced higher and tighter for more ankle control on rocky ground, and to stop dirt and grit making their way inside.
That said, they’re still our go-to boots when the sun is shining. We like the massive colour range (all with very creative names) to choose from, which make the attractive Terradora IIs stand out in a sea of boring brown and grey hiking footwear.
