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Tom's Guide
28-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Tom's Guide
Keen Whisper sandals review: Not-so-cheap, not-so-cheerful
If you enjoy long walks and casual hiking, you'll need a pair of sandals that's breathable and quick to dry — like the Keen Whisper sandals for women. These sandals feature an easy-to-wear pull-on design so you can put them on within seconds, and they have toe protectors that keep debris and pebbles out. If you want to take them to the beach, they're quick drying, too. But these aren't the most comfortable sandals out there. While they're comfortable for everyday use, their straps tend to rub against little toes, and the arch support feels non-existent. The Whispers aren't earning any accolades at Paris Fashion Week either. Should you ditch the best hiking boots for these? Read my full Keen Whisper sandals review to find out. Specs Keen Whisper Price $120 / £90 Size availability (women's) U.S. 5-12 U.K. 2.5-9.5 Weight 9.88 ounces per sandal Colors (women's) Various, including: Granite Green/Peach Parfait, Black/Magnet, Cayenne/Fired Brick, Original Tie Dye, Taupe/Coral, etc. Material PFAS-free polyester Waterproofing Yes (no Gore-Tex) The Keen Whisper sandals are available for women only. In the U.S., they have a retail price of $120 at both Amazon and the Keen webstore. In the U.K., they retail for £90 at both Amazon and Keen. These sandals come in 13 different colors, and I won't bore you by listing all of them, but some examples include Cayenne/Fired Brick, Original Tie Dye, Dark Shadow/Ceramic and Chalk Violet/English Lavender. I tested the Granite Green/Peach Parfait colorway, which looks good but is bright enough to draw a fair bit of attention. There's also a range of sizes available. Americans will be able to buy the sandals in sizes 5-12, while Brits can get them in sizes 2.5-9.5. Half sizes are available in both countries, too. As I said, the Whispers are available for women only, but I'd honestly describe them as unisex, at least in the darker colorways. Men don't need to feel left out, though, as the Keen Hyperport H2 sandals ($120) are great alternatives available in both men's and women's sizes, and share the same price. Much like the Keen Hyperport H2 sandals, the Keen Whispers have what can be best described as a divisive design. As someone who rotates between Doc Martens, the Keen Zionic Mid hiking boots ($170) and the Salomon Super Cross 4 Gore-Tex shoes, the Whispers aren't shoes I'd usually go for. You get to choose from 13 different colorways, as I mentioned. Personally, I don't think any of the colors (yes, even black) make the sandals more fashionable. But I suppose the primary focus here is function over form. And that almost rings true, because the Whispers are comfortable… but not for long periods. Let's start with the things the sandals do well first. The Whispers are wearable straight out of the box and don't need to be broken in, just like the Zionic Mids. They sport a pull-on design with zero velcro or laces so you can slip them on in seconds. They can then be tightened via the bungee lacing. Unlike the Hyperport H2s, the Whispers sport Keen's Contoured Fit design (also seen on the Zionic Mids), which, compared to a straight or wide fit, is narrower. This helps the sandals fit snugly around your feet. The soles have a decent level of bounciness to them. The foam midsoles have lightweight cushioning, while the insoles' foam is shock-absorbent. The latter provides impact protection from the ground, floors and pavement. If you jump from, say, a boulder to the ground, you won't feel the impact as much as you would with sandals/shoes that aren't shock-absorbent. Each sandal also features rubber toe protectors — or 'bumpers,' as Keen calls them. These keep rocks and debris from getting in, especially when traversing rocky terrain or standing on a sandy seabed. It works as intended. No debris got inside the sandals when I stood in an ankle-depth stream in the woods. The protectors also shielded my toes effectively when walking over muddy and pebbly ground, too. Not all is right in the world, though. While my feet remained free of blisters after four days of wearing the Whispers, each morning I hesitated to wear them again. That's because the sandals' front straps kept rubbing against my pinky toes, and it kept happening regardless of how tightly or loosely I wore the Whispers. Wearing socks negated the issue, so that's what I did the second time I went on a long walk — but I immediately felt my coolness factor drop another few points. Another issue with the Whispers is that the arch support feels non-existent. Arch support helps with proper weight distribution and posture maintenance, so having none can add extra pressure to certain parts of your feet, which ultimately can result in fatigue and discomfort — I'll discuss my experience in the performance section below. The Keen Whispers are a decent pair of sandals, but I don't think they're as good as the Keen Hyperports H2s. I found the Whispers more comfortable while wearing socks, but this meant that I had to be careful dipping my feet into water lest I have soggy socks. The Whispers are great for trails and walks, thanks to how grippy they are. I went on a few long walks in and around Bath and Bristol in south-west England, and I found the sandals up to the task, whether walking on jagged rocks, a muddy woodland floor, or gravel. I didn't lose my grip even when jumping from a boulder to the ground. While the Whispers aren't the lightest sandals, weighing 9.88 ounces each, they still didn't feel so heavy that I was dragging my feet. They're heavier than the Hyperport H2s (9.2oz each) and the Keen Zionic Mids (8.11oz each). I still had a spring in my step when wearing the Whispers. As is the nature of sandals, I found the Whispers very breathable. My feet didn't get too hot or sweaty even when walking in 26°C / 78.8°F heat. The Whispers also utilize eco-friendly, pesticide-free anti-odor technology that keeps bad smells at bay, so you don't have to worry about bad odor emitting from them after a long day of walking. Similar to other Keen shoes and sandals, the Whispers use Keen's proprietary waterproofing rather than Gore-Tex. Water will, of course, get in because these sandals aren't closed off. But the good news is that they're quick to dry. To test this out, I drenched the Whispers in the shower and left them to dry in indirect sunlight indoors, timing how long it took. After just under two hours, the Whispers were bone-dry again. This makes them great for use on the beach, and the toe protector will also keep debris and small pebbles/rocks out. Like I said, the Whispers aren't the most stylish sandals, which may affect how often you'd like to wear them every day. That said, they're great if you want to run errands around town or pop to the grocery store (as I did). Naturally, they are just as grippy on tarmac and pavements as on rugged terrains when hiking. The pull-on design also means that you can quickly slip them on if, say, you need to run to the grocery store in the middle of making dinner because you forgot to buy mushrooms (speaking from experience). If you want sandals more about function than form, the Keen Whisper sandals might be for you. They're much easier — and quicker — to wear than boots and shoes, thanks to the pull-on design, while their toe protectors ensure your toes remain unscathed regardless of the terrain. I also really appreciate how quick the Whispers are to dry. I wear boots all the time, and a problem I encounter frequently is that while they keep water from my socks, they can sometimes take a very long time to dry. But it's important to note that the Whispers aren't the most comfortable. Yes, they're good for everyday use and are grippy on all terrains, but their straps tend to rub against your little toes. I wish the arch support were better, too. And I'm not one to judge a book by its cover, but the Whispers aren't particularly… attractive. I'd recommend the Keen Hyperport H2 sandals as a better alternative, frankly. Everyone keeps telling me that I need to give sandals a chance, but given that the Whispers left me feeling short-changed, that will have to wait.
Tom's Guide
09-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
I hike every single weekend and these Keen walking boots are my new go-to for mountain trails
The Keen Targhee IV hiking boots made my hikes extremely comfortable, and they have the looks to match, too. After having my toes crushed by uncomfortable boots on previous expeditions, and suffering blisters upon blisters, I've loved every minute with the Targhee IVs. The boots take a step away from the hard leather design Keen boots are known for, which may not impress serious mountaineers. However, they made my trek an absolute pleasure. With cushioned insoles giving bouncy arch support that will have you feeling like you're walking barefoot through the field. And with plenty of space at the front of the shoe, there are no crushed toes or blisters to be heard of. And the support from the back to front bracing is the icing on the cake. You can find out more about my experience in my full Keen Targhee IV review. Price $169 / £155 Weight (per shoe) 16.58oz / 470g Size availability Women's: U.S. 5-12 U.K. 2.5-9.5 Men's: U.S.7-15 U.K. 6-14 Colors Women's: Brindle/Nostalgia Rose Alloy/Granite Green Rose Brown/Plaza Taupe Safari/Reef Waters Bison/Beaujolais Men's: Bison/Black Sea Turtle/Roasted Pecan Brindle/Canteen Triple Black Materials Recycled plastic, leather, mesh lining Waterproofing PFAs-free waterproofing outside membrane inside The Keen Targhee IV women's hiking boots are available from Amazon U.S. for $169. They are also available for purchase directly from Keen's U.S. site for $170. In the U.K. you can't get them on Amazon but they are priced at £155 from Keen's online store. I tested the boots in the color Brindle/Nostalgia Rose in a U.K. size 5/U.S. 7.5 but they are also available in four other colorways: Alloy/Granite Green, Rose Brown/Plaza Taupe, Safari/Reef Waters, and Bison/Beaujolais. In the U.S., the women's sizes range from 5-12, including half sizes, which is useful since you want a snug fit to ensure ultimate comfort. In the U.K. the boots are available from sizes 2.5-9.5. The boots are also available in a wide option in all sizes. The Men's version of the boots are available for $169 from Amazon US and $170 from Keen's U.S. site. In the U.K. the men's boots are priced at £155 from the Keen website. There is a wide choice of colors with the men's design of the boots too. They are available in Bison/Black, Sea Turtle/Roasted Pecan, Brindle/Canteen, and Triple Black. The men's sizes range from 7-15 including half sizes in the U.S., and 6-14 in the U.K.. I think the Keen Targhee IV boots are the epitome of gorp-core. They have the functionality down while having colorways to suit everyone. I personally loved the color I tested, which was Bridle/Nostalgia Rose, as they are pretty neutral but I still have the pop of color from the pink accents at the top of the boot. The first thing about the boots that shocked me is the lack of glue used. Keen says rather than glue (which is pretty bad for the environment) the boots shoe and sole are fused together using heat and pressure. The brand says the fusion bond also lasts longer since glue can deteriorate over time. I thought the boots felt very secure, but only time will tell if the fusion bond holds up compared to traditional glue. The upper of the boots is made from nubuck leather, which is softer than the harder leather used for the previous Targhee III model. The Targhee IV boots are more flexible thanks to the softer material, but this will stand up less well to wear and tear over time and provides less protection against rocks, scuffs and knocks. The inside of the boots and the padded tongue are lined with a breathable mesh which is slightly tough at the the top of the shoe for the first few wears, but it did become more malleable over time. A design feature noted by Keen is the extra space in the toe area of the shoe. I found this to be super comfortable as hiking boots I have owned in the past have crushed my toes and caused blisters on the side, which I didn't experience here. There is a strap attached to the laces which wraps around the back heel of the boot. When the laces are tightened the straps hug tighter making for a super snug fit. There is a removable Luftcell insole which resists compression and gives extra support to the foot. The boots also have built in arch support which I loved as my years of ballet training means my feet demand support on long walks. The sole of the shoe has deep indentations for traction and they are incredibly grippy. They would be ideal for winter hikes in icy conditions. They also have Eco Anti-odour which is pesticide-free. I tested out the Keen Targhee IV hiking boots around my local country park which has muddy terrain with lots of hills to climb. This was an ideal test for the boots as I could see how well the waterproofing held up and how comfortable they were across different terrains. I should start by prefacing that I am notoriously clumsy and accident prone. I have previously taken a tumble at the sumit of Mount Snowdon in North Wales, and ate dirt and ripped holes in my trousers on my way down the more forgiving Pen Y Fan mountain in South Wales. It is for this reason I am very grateful the Targhee IVs were able to keep my ankles in an upright position. This is down to the strap that wraps around the heel of the shoe and is tightened with the laces. I found that when I paid attention to how this was set, my steps were more supported. I tested the boots on a pretty dry day but I made sure to find some remnant muddy puddles. Luckily, there was no leakage of water through to my feet and my sock remained completely dry. When the shoes were splashed with water they were super quick to dry and the leather didn't become stained. Any mud that found its way on to the boot brushed right off. They were also incredibly comfortable to walk in. The arch support meant that my feet didn't ache as much as usual after the 3 hour hike. I also had no issues with my toes rubbing the sides of the shoes and causing blisters, which is something I had come to accept as the norm with previous boots. With hiking boots, I like to feel like I have a firm feel of the ground, and even though the insoles of the boots are cushioned I still felt in control of my steps. It also helped that the boots are very flexible despite having hard rubber soles, as this lends a greater feeling of control. A key part of making sure hiking boots stay in tip top condition after every adventure is having the right aftercare. In the past I've got back from my hike and been too tired to dry brush them, leaving them overnight to find stains have dried in and ruined the look of the boot. The Targhee IVs are very easy to clean. Keen advises cleaning the boots with mild soap and cold water to remove excess dirt. Once this dries you can clean them further by using a stiff brush which will break away any muddy flakes. When the boots inevitably get wet, they need to be air dried but away from heat, this will make sure the shape of the leather isn't affected. The Keen Targhee IV boots are the definition of an ideal hiking boot. Keen is clearly conscious about the environmental effect of boot production and the small changes made accordingly to the boot construction hasn't compromised their quality. The cushioned sole is incredibly comfortable on long walks, the levels of grip are impressive and the support from the arched design is essential for longer hikes. The waterproofing on the shoe is impressive and they dried quickly after I subjected them to muddy puddles and they were easy to maintain with a dry brush to remove dirt despite the soft leather. Sure, the Targhee IV's soft construction might not stand up to the most demanding hikes quite as well as the previous hard-shell Targhee IIIs, but I'll take the added comfort any day. After so long spent nursing injuries and blisters from my hikes, I've finally found the perfect walking boot.
