Keen Zionic Waterproof Mid Hiking Boot Review

At first glance, the Zionic Waterproof Mid hiking boot is a far cry from Keen’s traditional leather stompers, but after extensive testing on trails in Wyoming and Washington state, we’ve come away impressed with the brand’s first foray into the athletic sphere. At just over a pound and a half per pair (for the women's version), the Zionic boots are nimble and easy to move in, and their trustworthy tread imparts confidence on all kinds of slick rocks and roots. While they don’t quite have the support we look for when carrying heavy weight on multi-day treks, their modest underfoot cushioning and snug fit kept us comfortable on quick backpacking trips and fast day hikes. Below we break down our experiences with the Zionic Waterproof Mid. To see how it stacks up to the competition, check out our articles on the best hiking boots and best women’s hiking boots.
 

Table of Contents

• Comfort
• Stability and Support
• Weight
• Traction
• Waterproofing
• Build Quality and Durability
• Fit and Sizing
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Comfort

Unlike rigid hiking boots, the supple Keen Zionic Waterproof Mid offers impressive out-of-the-box comfort. We felt confident trying them out on a multi-day backpacking trip in Wyoming’s Wind River Range after just a few short break-in wears. With moderate foam cushioning, arch support, and under-heel padding, the Zionic provides a soft feel underfoot without compromising trail responsiveness. What's more, the lightweight build allows the boot to deftly navigate tricky trails, and the pronounced rocker profile maintains an efficient stride on easy ground. Compared to Keen’s heftier Targhee IV, the Zionic feels noticeably springier and more nimble, giving it the advantage on delicate creek crossings or boulder-hopping. And while we experienced some heel irritation from the back of the ankle when breaking them in, the cuff is supple and allows for great freedom of movement.
 

Stability and Support

In order to achieve their lightweight feel, the Zionic Mids sacrifice some support. Their full-length stability shank provides enough security for day hikes with light loads, but we prefer a stiffer boot when carrying a heavy backpack over many miles or over insecure ground. The lacing system is basic, and the single eyelet prevented us from really cinching this boot down tight. And while the collar extends above the ankle, its supple build doesn't provide much lateral stability. Ankle-rolling wasn't an issue for us on the mostly mellow trails in Wyoming, but we did experience some post-hike soreness after carrying a 30-pound pack over multiple days. 
 

Weight

At 1 pound 8.6 ounces for the pair (women’s 8.5), the Zionic Mid lands solidly in the lightweight boot category. For reference, Scarpa's similarly intentioned Rush Mid 2 GTX weighs about the same at 1 pound 8.3 ounces. You can save a few more ounces by opting for NNormil's Tomir, which blurs the line between a hiking boot and a trail runner at just 1 pound 5.4 ounces. Salomon's X Ultra 4 is a bit heavier at 1 pound 10.1 ounces, but it offers more ankle and foot stability for more demanding hikes (we especially love its lacing system, which really locks down the heel). 
 

Traction

Even before hitting the trail, we had high expectations for the Zionic Mid’s traction. Their 4mm oval lugs are prominent, lightly textured, and soft enough to move with a finger. We were impressed with how well the tread adapted to changing terrain: These boots excelled on steep, loose-dirt trails in Wyoming and proved equally reliable on wet hikes in Washington, gripping slick roots and rocks with ease. They performed well during intricate creek crossings, providing solid footing on submerged rocks. The only condition where they faltered was in fresh snow, which we encountered on an early-season ski approach, but this wasn't a major drawback. Overall, the Zionic's tread remains one of our favorite features of this boot, and it continues to be the reason we reach for it when preparing to take on complex day hikes.
 

Waterproofing

We had plenty of opportunities to test waterproofing on the Zionic Mid, from rainy-season backpacking in Wyoming to late-winter hiking in western Washington. Keen’s Keen.Dry membrane is reminiscent of Gore-Tex in its ability to provide reliable protection in most wet conditions, keeping our feet dry in light rain and low-water crossings (we had luck submerging them to just below the laces). However, the mesh-like upper fabric struggled in deeper creeks and prolonged exposure to moisture. After a few hours of hiking through stormy weather and rain-drenched ferns at Ross Lake in Washington, our feet were thoroughly soaked. That said, most casual hikers will avoid such soggy conditions, and for more common wet-weather encounters—muddy trails, puddles, and shallow streams—the Zionic offers solid protection. 
 

Breathability

Like most waterproof footwear, the Zionic Mid isn't a standout breather. That said, we didn't have any issues with hot, sweaty feet while hiking on dry early fall trails in Wyoming: The softer mesh-like material along the upper offers sufficient airflow in dry and hot environments. Where the Zionic suffers is in its ability to dry out once soaked. We stored them in the vestibule of our backpacking tent to dry after hiking nine miles in a consistent drizzle at Ross Lake, only to find them just as wet the next day. To be fair, they likely would have had more luck drying out in the sun or in a less humid location, but the waterproofing certainly keeps moisture inside just as well as it keeps it outside. In fact, after crossing a deep stream in the last quarter mile of the trip, the Zionic collected a bootful of water that it failed to drain by the time we reached the parking lot. 
 

Ankle and Toe Protection

The benefit of opting for a hiking boot over a hiking shoe is greater protection on the toe and ankle. The Zionic Mid’s upper and toe bumper are constructed with lighter weight and softer materials than a more traditional hefty hiking boot, but we didn’t have any issues with their protection. The Keen.Protect toe bumper—which consists of a rubber reinforcement along the front and top of the toe—provided plenty of security against rocky trails in Wyoming. The upper—which ends just below the ankle bone—saved our ankles from injury in mild bushwhacks. 
 

Build Quality and Durability

We’ve put well over 100 miles into the Zionic Mid so far, but we haven’t been overly impressed by their durability. Most notably, the rubber on the toe has shown significant wear, forming small holes at the front of the boot. The soft white cushioning surrounding the sole seems particularly prone to scuffs, scratches, and tearing. While the rest of the shoe has fared well—including the upper, tread, stitching, laces, and eyelets—we don’t have high hopes for the long-term durability of this boot. At $170, the Zionic Mid is reasonably priced for a lightweight boot, but its lifespan may be shorter than competitors in the same range.
 

Fit and Sizing

As Keen’s first foray into the lightweight and athletic sphere, it’s no surprise that the Zionic fits snugger than bulkier options from the brand. When worn beside the Targhee IV, the Zionic has a noticeably smaller toe box and a slimmer fit along the top and sides of the foot. Our testers found their regular 8.5 size a bit smaller than other hiking boots of that size, but not uncomfortably so. The shorter toe box definitely aided in precision on tricky trails, and the soft materials kept our toes from discomfort when touching the end of the boot. That said, those looking for spaciousness should look to other Keen models or specialty wide-toe box boots like Altra’s Lone Peak Hiker 3
 

Sustainability

Keen, like many other hiking footwear brands, has been more sustainably-focused in their manufacturing of late, and the Zionic Mid takes several notable measures. The upper materials are made of 100% post-consumer plastics, and Keen uses water-based adhesives over solvents, which are better for the environment. Further, their Keen.Dry waterproofing uses a PFAS-free durable water repellent (DWR) that’s free of added harmful "forever chemicals". Keen is also dedicated to ensuring all materials are ethically sourced, meaning they’re procured from manufacturers that meet strict labor standards.
 

Other Versions of the Keen Zionic

We tested the women’s version of the Zionic Waterproof Hiking Boot, but Keen also offers a men’s specific version for the same price. Beyond slight differences in fit and colorway options, the men’s version features the same materials, waterproofing, and performance as the women’s version. Keen has a Zionic waterproof hiking shoe as well for $160, which offers much of the same tech as the boots—including traction, waterproofing, and materials—but are even lighter weight at 1 pound 6.9 ounces for the pair (women’s). The Zionic line also includes non-waterproof hiking shoes (the Speed) and suede sneakers (the Jasper) with similar athletic constructions.

What We Like

• At just over a pound and a half for the pair, these boots are nimble and easy to move in, giving them appeal for fast and light missions.
• A highly sustainable construction—consisting of post-consumer plastics—with moderate cushioning and a supple upper for out-of-the-box comfort.
• Multi-directional and prominent oval lugs offer great traction in a variety of environments including mud, loose dirt, and slick roots.
• Keen.Dry waterproofing provides excellent protection in shallow creek crossings and intermittent rain storms.

What We Don’t

• Single eyelet and flexible upper doesn't offer enough ankle and foot support for carrying heavy weight across long distances.
• Not the most breathable or quick to dry off once thoroughly wet.
• Lightweight materials are prone to wear and tear: The toe bumper and mid-shoe cushioning are susceptible to scuffing and damage.
• A decidedly athletic fit; The trimmer toe box and narrower foot bed might surprise Keen loyalists. 
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

The Keen Zionic Waterproof Mid boots are one of our favorites for lightweight hiking footwear, but there are plenty of options within the category. NNormal’s Tomir Waterproof Boot is a close comparison to the Zionic: It has a lightweight build (1 lb. 5.4 oz.), high-performing in-house waterproofing (Sypatex), rockered sole, and excellent stability and traction. They fit a bit larger than the Zionics and are a bit pricier ($195), but we’ve had better luck with their durability. Scarpa’s Rush Mid 2 GTX is an even more premium lightweight option: Outfitted with Gore-Tex waterproofing, the Rush has the edge on wet-weather assurance. While more expensive than the Zionic at $219, their high-quality materials are more durable and able to withstand rough use. 

For $150, Merrell’s Moab 3 Mid Waterproof has much of what we like in a quality hiking boot: They're super comfortable and much more durable than the Zionic, and they're outfitted with a rugged nubuck leather upper and quality Vibram outsole. That said, the Moab is quite a bit more clunky (despite only weighing a few ounces more) and still lacks the ankle support we look for when carrying heavy packs over long distances. Salomon’s X Ultra 4 hits the trifecta of lightweight, supportive, and affordable. At just an ounce and a half heavier than the Zionic, the X Ultra has a slightly more stable build and nicer all-around material quality. For just $5 more, we think it’s a worthwhile upgrade for more dedicated hikers. 
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