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Keen NXIS EVO Waterproof Review

This stylish hiking shoe is light on the foot, yet provides great support and waterproofing
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Keen NXIS EVO Waterproof Review (Comfortable and lightweight, the NXIS is a great general purpose hiking shoe for most applications.)
Comfortable and lightweight, the NXIS is a great general purpose hiking shoe for most applications.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Price:  $180 List
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Manufacturer:   Keen
By Ryan Huetter ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  May 12, 2023
69
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#7 of 18
  • Comfort - 25% 6.0
  • Support - 20% 8.0
  • Traction - 15% 6.0
  • Water Resistance - 15% 9.0
  • Weight - 15% 6.3
  • Durability - 10% 6.0
Length Sizing
Runs Small
Runs Large
Width Sizing
Runs Narrow
Runs Wide

Our Verdict

The Keen NXIS EVO Waterproof is a nice new lighter-weight addition to their line-up of more robust and durable hiking shoes. Using an engineered knit mesh on the upper, weight is shaved, and break-in time is decreased, making for a comfortable shoe right out of the box. Don't fret, these shoes only feel light on the feet, as the shank-equipped EVA midsole provides more than enough support for rough trails. We especially liked how waterproof they are, making them a good option for those who hike in wetter environments. This is a good compromise for a hiking shoe — it is lightweight where it can be but doesn't shave weight in places you need it, like the midsole.
REASONS TO BUY
Great waterproofing
Solid support
REASONS TO AVOID
Long term durability concerns
Pricey

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Hiking Shoe
Top Pick Award
Best for Scrambling
Top Pick Award
Best Lightweight Technical Hiker
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for Your Buck
Price $154.99 at Amazon
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$180.00 at REI
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$149.95 at Backcountry
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line This shoe is well-built and supportive, offering top notch waterproofing for wet conditions on the trailUnbelievably comfortable and supportive, these awesome hiking shoes can do it allThis is a supportive hiking shoe that is perfect for scrambling and peak baggingThis is the definition of a solid hiking shoe, and is a perfect choice for those not wanting to compromise on off-trail performanceThis inexpensive but good quality hiking shoe is a perfect choice for just starting out on the trails
Rating Categories Keen NXIS EVO Water... Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX Salewa Mountain Tra... Salomon X Ultra 4 G... Columbia Crestwood
Comfort (25%)
6.0
9.0
7.0
7.0
8.0
Support (20%)
8.0
8.0
9.0
8.0
6.0
Traction (15%)
6.0
7.0
9.0
9.0
6.0
Water Resistance (15%)
9.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
3.0
Weight (15%)
6.3
5.9
4.9
6.9
6.5
Durability (10%)
6.0
8.0
6.0
6.0
5.0
Specs Keen NXIS EVO Water... Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX Salewa Mountain Tra... Salomon X Ultra 4 G... Columbia Crestwood
Measured Weight (per pair, size 11) 1.88 lbs 1.99 lbs 2.16 lbs 1.76 lbs 1.83 lbs
Upper Mesh, TPU Recycled mesh, nubuck leather 3F System with Kevlar® Cables, Armoured Mesh, Protective TPU rand Synthetic, textile Suede leather, mesh, webbing
Lining KEEN.dry waterproof membrane GORE-TEX Invisible Fit Gore-Tex Extended Comfort Gore-Tex membrane None
Flood Height 2.75 in 3.0 in 3.5 in 3.25 in 1.5 in
Last Board/Shank Stability shank Not specified Nylon ADV-C chassis Not specified
Midsole EVA EVA (30% sugarcane) EVA EnergyCell Techlite
Outsole KEEN.ALL-TERRAIN rubber Vibram Megagrip rubber Pomoca MTN Trainer Lite Contagrip MA rubber OmniGrip
Width Options Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular, Wide

Our Analysis and Test Results

We really like the NXIS EVO. While it didn't win an award, we think that this hiker does a great job at finding the balance between weight and performance. It's supportive enough to hike on hard trails with and without pack weight.

Performance Comparison


keen nxis evo waterproof - the nxis evo is a nice hiking shoe, and will provide a lot of...
The NXIS EVO is a nice hiking shoe, and will provide a lot of comfortable miles to those who try a pair out.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Comfort


Keen shoes and boots are comfortable, there is no doubt about that. They have a generally wide width, making them feel roomy without being sloppy, and the NXIS EVO is no exception here. The knit mesh upper is soft and pliable, making them easy to walk in while still keeping the foot where it should be and not sloshing around. The included footbed is of good quality and provides a lot of arch support, though some with less pronounced arches may prefer swapping it out for a flatter insole. While the NXIS has a wider fit in the forefoot area, the midfoot is still medium-width, so those with wide feet may still find them narrow here.

Our main issue is with the lacing system; it is billed as speed lacing, though there is a lot of friction pulling the laces, and it is still hard to get the forefoot snugged up despite the lighter fabric used in the upper.

keen nxis evo waterproof - with an easy break-in period, the nxis is easy to wear and we...
With an easy break-in period, the NXIS is easy to wear and we enjoyed taking it out on the trails.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Support


Even though we knew these shoes would be a lighter, speedier option, we did not expect the NXIS EVO to skimp on support. That just isn't Keen's style. Using an injected EVA midsole and a stability shank, these shoes have the support of a beefed-up pair of boots. Solid, stable, and supportive, we found this shoe to be more than capable on uneven, rocky ground. The KonnectFit heel lock gives superb support around the ankle, and while this is a low-cut shoe that does not extend up around the ankle, we felt locked in place and less likely to roll an ankle. The large toe bumper gives good protection from tripping over rocks and roots while you look at your beautiful surroundings and forget to look where you're going.

keen nxis evo waterproof - the stable platform of the nxis evo make them capable when hopping...
The stable platform of the NXIS EVO make them capable when hopping around on uneven terrain.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Traction


The traction offered by the NXIS EVO is good but not above average. The bi-directional lug pattern on the outsole is made of KEEN.ALL.TERRAIN rubber and is deep and sharp, providing good purchase in loose terrain. The rubber is soft enough that smearing on slabs is easy enough. Half of the heel area is a smooth tread with no lugs present, presumably to provide better traction when going downhill on slick surfaces, though we found the absence of lugs here to give us less traction than we would desire in looser conditions.

keen nxis evo waterproof - multi-directional lugs on the nxis evo worked well, though we would...
Multi-directional lugs on the NXIS EVO worked well, though we would have liked more lugs on the inside forefoot area.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Water Resistance


Keen nailed it with their KEEN.DRY waterproof/breathable membrane in this shoe. The NXIS kept water out well past the 5-minute mark in our water bath test, and we could slosh through puddles with ease. They do have a lower flood height at 2.75 inches, so you can't just ford rivers with reckless abandon, but for most wet weather hiking trips where a waterproof lining is indicated, these will do great.

keen nxis evo waterproof - a lower flood height means these can't go as deep as other shoes...
A lower flood height means these can't go as deep as other shoes, but the NXIS has solid waterproofing and dry quickly.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Weight


With a verified weight of 1.88 lbs per pair (size 11 US men's), the NXIS EVO is right in the middle of the pack regarding weight, though we found them to offer more support than models of similar weight. These are a good compromise in terms of deciding between a hardcore hiking shoe and a lightweight model more reminiscent of a running shoe.

keen nxis evo waterproof - checking the weight of the nxis evo on our home scale - impressively...
Checking the weight of the NXIS EVO on our home scale - impressively light!
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Durability


The age-old trade-off between weight and durability is something to consider when looking at the NXIS EVO. The engineered mesh upper is PU coated and did remarkably well at resisting abrasion, though long-term use will show some weak points along the forefoot flex areas where there is not as much TPU plastic coating or where the coating ends.

keen nxis evo waterproof - time will tell if the forefoot area begins to see some issues with...
Time will tell if the forefoot area begins to see some issues with material breaking down or delaminating.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Should You Buy the KEEN NXIS EVO Waterproof?


If you want to shed some weight from your feet but still want the quality support offered by this brand, these could be a great fit. They are a tad spendier than other models, but we really liked the NXIS and feel that you probably will too.

What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?


For less weight, more traction, and a similar level of support, the Salomon X Ultra 4 Gore-Tex is a top-of-the-line hiking shoe. If you need to save some bucks and still want a lightweight hiker, we also highly recommend the Columbia Facet 75 OutDry. Those looking for the best comfort money can buy should check out the Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX.

Ryan Huetter