This Is Getting Ridiculous. First Look: Keen Durand Evo. 

Get new insoles that make you feel comfortable, and lace your shoes/boots differently to alleviate stress points. Mohair socks are way better than merino wool socks. Wearing a thin sock under a thicker sock is the next trick. Add baby talc powder to feet and dry them out. The less the friction... the further you go.

I'm a whopping 130 pounds and the minimal trail runners work great for me but it's awesome to hear another perspective for viewers with various body types. This is why everyone needs to subscribe to multiple backpacking channels/hear multiple opinions/try different things for themselves.

I use a Merrill trail runner called MQM Flex 2. Love ‘em. Comfortable as hell. Dry really quickly if I walk thru a creek or whatever (was great on a canoe trip). I’m about 6 feet and probably about 200-210 lbs.

Great video. I've had a similar journey with footwear. I don't seem to get blisters but I do get arch and instep pain. After the mail order and return process I selected the Keen Targhee II mid. I love the wide toe box and they have performed well. I'm still looking though.

I have the same problem! All the comments are very informative.

Hi Rob, Happy to see a new video. I really enjoyed the Altra Lone Peak 3 Mids and recently switched to the Hoka Speedgoat 5 which I know you weren’t crazy about. They’ve been on 2 hikes and have worked well for me so far.

Rob, I went thru the same struggle and went back to boots. I found a pair of Solomons at REI that work perfectly for me. Yes I added weight but the light weight hiking shoes never gave me enough support when I was carrying a pack. I was also hovering around 210-220 lbs. I still wear my hiking shoes for day hikes but I will never wear them on a backpacking trip. My feet felt like someone beat them with a yardstick at the end of every day.

That Jeremy guy sounds like a real jerk. Good luck with the boots brother.

I have always been a boot guy. Recently I have been thinking about making the switch to trail runners like many others just for the weight. I only hesitate because I have also never had any blisters or any problems with boots, but the are heavy. I use the Keen Targhee ii.

I just went to a Fit my Feet Store and they helped me out a lot. I got insoles for my new pair of NB trail runners and I'm going to put them to the test in 2 weeks 100 miles 6 days. I will let you know how it worked for me.

I’m going through similar struggles this year! All of a sudden I’m getting blisters on the edges of my heels. It all started when I tried using boots for the first time to get ready for a cold and wet trip (pictured rocks in April). The trip was scrapped but now my feet are super prone to those blisters returning every time I go out. Alta lone peaks never gave me trouble before. Sigh. Now I tape up my feet before I head out. It helps a lot but it’s annoying. May try some Hokas next. Stop trying to walk the same mileage as Midwest Backpacker. That might help. Dude is crazy for miles. 🤣

I too have been struggling with my footwear choice, being of similar size (same height a bit heavier). I have wanted to try trail runners but now might reconsider my choice. Im a big fan of Keen work boots, and I do own a pair of Keen hiking boots that have plenty of use on them. I will do some more thought and research before purchasing a new pair of hiking foot wear.

“Pre or post poop” lmao that’s hilarious 🤣👍🇨🇦🍻

5'10" 210 here. Drank the Altra Lone Peak cool aid back a few years ago when I got back into hiking and so far have not had a single blister. That said, I'm also old and out of shape and never do more than 10 miles a day, typically a 7~8 mile day is a good day for me. But you for sure feel all the rocks on the trail and feet are getting sore by end of day.

Love the footwear context here. Shoe weight only gets you so far, eventually comfort has to factor in. I've been fortunate to not really have blister issues. I'm 6', 225 so I'm a bigger guy and I tend to use heavier hiking shoes. I think what's helped me out is my feet are just slightly wide so I usually have to go a half size up vs accounting for just shoe length size. That gives me just enough room for the width of my foot so that I'm not running against the sides of the shoe. I also get a little more toe room so I'm not constantly slamming my toes like you mentioned. Good luck on the upcoming trip. Hoping to go to Colorado in the next couple years so I'm excited to get your insights.

Good vid Rob. I think it’s good for viewers to hear you don’t have to go UL on footwear, but to do what you need to take care of the body. Cheers bro!

Been interested in the keen Durand evo’s love to see how they’ve turned out!

Am 5”4 2:45 and 223 lbs and am ultralight gear too I think 🤔 that we are getting older maybe our bodies aren’t meant to do hundred mile weeks all the time that’s what I average my feet are just killing me most of the time but I just enjoy the trail so much

8:25 I am paying attention and I do love watching occasionally I try to stop by and say hello as much as I can I watch a lot of creators. You’re one of the better ones but you’re already a good size so I try to help out the little guy but I do like to pop in and say hi, keep up the good work Rob until next time my friend. Cheers.

I really don’t have any blisters on my feet. I just have a Lotta sore tender spots and they get really aggravated.

Rob - I totally understand and when I found a brand that worked and I liked - they quit shipping them to the US (Salmings). Through a lot of trial and error I've figured out I need some drop, I need a rock plate, I need some width & I am horribly flat-footed which I've known for a long time. I have some Topos that are pretty new and I like them....as long as I am on mostly flat hikes. They have zero side support/stability. I think maybe for me the companies that make boots, maybe make more supportive trail runners and such as well. So for me: Keen's and Merrell's always seem to work well. I wear my boots only in snowy conditions but I do have a heavier pair of Merrell hiking shoes which are just more solid than trail runners. Maybe we'll cross paths out in CO. we are headed out first of August. For reference, I'm like 6' 210 but I hike, more than backpack.

You should have lifted your pinky, for the “one million dollars” part

I ended up hiking in open toe Chaco sandals w very thin merino socks (too thick and move too much or fill out the hell counter and rub) or thin inji toe socks. One foot has bad habit of big toe lifting up when I walk so regardless also of shoe was a problem (that foot had multiple ankle surgeries, acl knee, and a tendon used from calf for repair - possibly why toe does weird thing?

Unfortunately, the majority of people tend to take the step to light packing a little over the limit. Lighter shoes, lighter outerwear that doesn't do the job. When the gram hunt goes beyond the comfort zone, one has succumbed to the popular pressure. Personally, I don't care what parts of my equipment weigh or look like as long as I myself feel comfortable with the stuff

Great video Rob. As you know, we are about the same size (height and weight). You probably have more muscle, lol. I have been through a similar journey and just cannot find a pair of trail runners that support me either. My first pair of boots, the Salomon GTX 3’s have never let me down and never have given me a blister. Should have never strayed from them. I went back to them this year and things are great again. I get the whole “not as cool or fast thing”. But I will never be fast, shoot not even fastish! I am slow, party pace and my feet are happy again. Cheers!

I never got on the trail runner bandwagon. I've found ways to lighten everything else but won't give up my Merrell Moab boots.

Hoka speed goats Mids work wonders for me, I’m a similar size to you as well.

At 66 & 67 years, My wife and I got tired of bruised feet & rolled ankles with trail runners. I bought some very stiff soled meindl vakuum leather boots; they are the most comfortable footwear I've ever owned. We never think about our feet while hiking. That meme " one pound on your feet is like five pounds on your back" is just wrong. If your feet are comfortable then you are comfortable and having a good time. High end european boots are the way to go for us. Stiff soles make sharp rocks smooth. Lowa, meindl, Zamberlan, hanwag, raichle, etc are the only brands i look at. Oh yeah; these boots have lasted years and at least 2000 miles. BTW, i loved my keen Durands also, but they were too floppy & soft for the trail & didn't have good traction on wet rocks. But I wore them everyday in town. 👍

Hey Rob, give Oboz a try they are wonderful. Or try some synthetic top boots for less weight.

Rob, I feel your pain. I am 6'3 290lbs and have foot issues all the time. Last December, on the Ouachita Trail, I tried a pair of Merrell Moab 2. They were uber comfortable but felt like I was lifting cinderblocks! As a murse (Male nurse) my daily shoe is a Hoka Clifton 9, my feet have never been happier. What are your thoughts on the Hoka SpeedGoat 5 Mid GTX or the Kaha? Do you know anything about those? Love the content!

Any thoughts on the Keen Durand Evo's ? How did they work for you ?

I split the difference with salewa mountain trainer lite. jury is still out if I like them or not.

1:24 I know the feeling of getting feet 👣 destroyed

ive tried many but always go back to Merrell brand

Keen Voyageurs! You get the best of both worlds…a shorter, lighter-ish shoe and Keen comfort. I have not had good luck with the Keen EVO shoes. They don't wear like the leather ones.

Hope youre doing well bud.

Love the humor!

So I am 6"5" and 245lbs. I am now looking at trying to find new hiking shoes. I had things dialed in for quite a while. My Topo TerraVenture 3's wore out after the toe laminations on the inside dropped and Topo did give me some % to use. I then have been using my Keen Ridgeflex for my longer hikes as they don't have any size 15 left while they transition to Terraventure 4's in the Topo. I did try the TrailVenture 2WP but they were not the same. All that to say I am in the hunt now again after having things dialed in. Very frustrating for this Yeti Sized guy. I love the lighter weight of a well built trail runner as I have done hikes like the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim. There are not many size 15 wide options out there. I feel like Gollum when it comes to footwear. What thoughts do you have on your Keen success as of today July 28, 2023? What's your prescription for yeti sized hikers?

This video was quite funny 👍

You said you got sore balls 😂😂😂🤘🏼