Keen Zionic Speed - Women's Review

The Keen Zionic Speed is a super light and minimalist hiker designed with speed in mind. These shoes offer comfort right out of the box, but unfortunately, the flexible upper doesn't provide a ton of support for those demanding off-trail missions. The traction of the TPU outsole is sufficient, but these shoes aren't waterproof. That said, if you're looking for a lightweight hiking shoe for lower-elevation hikes on well-maintained trails, this could be a good option for your consideration.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

The Zionic Speed offers immediate comfort for both narrow and wide feet. The design is similar to a minimalist trail running shoe with a roomy toe box and very limited padding around the ankle and tongue. Quick-drying linings and an odor-control treatment also help this non-waterproof shoe to be more comfortable by shedding excess moisture, making it a great option for hikes during the heat of summer at lower elevations. Keen also included their Luftcell technology, which includes a cushioned midsole with micro air pockets to help with shock absorption and rebound with every stride.

While our testing team can appreciate the limited padding within this simple design, the material used around the ankle would often grab our sock as we put on the shoe and create unnecessary friction. Though the Zionic is comfortable and doesn't require any break-in period, we found the flexible performance mesh upper to demand more from our feet — the design led to early fatigue and discomfort during our days on the trail.

Support

Though Keen advertises the super lightweight and athletic design of the Zionic Speed as stable and supportive, our testing team found the support to be minimal and singularly focused. The removable PU insoles offer limited arch support, especially for those with high arches, and the Keen Contoured Fit technology that hugs the natural shape of the foot provides minimal support, especially for those with narrow feet.

While our testing team appreciated the stability shanks that Keen included to improve mobility and rebound on uneven surfaces, ultimately, it wasn't enough support to inspire confidence on technical terrain. The upper is simply too soft (even when including the extra runner's loop eyelet) and flexible to lock your heel in place and offer the stability needed to confidently push the pace or carry a heavy pack.

Traction

The Zionic Speed design features nimble traction complete with a 4mm multi-directional lug pattern that performs better on uniform surfaces such as slippery rock slabs versus trail debris and decomposing granite. Though the outsole offers ample performance, our testing team prefers the high-performing Vibram outsoles in the lineup that maximize stability on a variety of terrains.

Water Resistance

Though the Zionic Speed does not offer a waterproof membrane nor a waterproof upper, this can be used to your advantage. For those who live at lower elevations and warmer climates, this could be the perfect hiking shoe to maintain comfort on the trails, thanks to the shoe's quick-drying liners and simple design. However, if waterproof performance is a key metric for your hiking shoe selection, the Zionic will certainly disappoint.

Weight

The Zionic Speed received the highest marks in this metric due to its incredibly lightweight design. Weighing in at only 1.2 pounds for a US women's size 8.5, this is an incredibly light hiking shoe. Unfortunately, in shedding extra ounces in the minimalist design, you also sacrifice versatility, support, waterproof performance, and optimal durability for rugged trail systems.

Durability

The Zionic Speed is constructed from a combination of mesh and TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) overlays that help to reduce the weight of the design but limit the shoe's ability to perform on technical trails. The toe cap is tiny, and the soft rubber that combines with the TPU rubber outsole left our team questioning how long the shoe will last on the trail.

During our extensive testing period, we noted the impact of sharp rocks on the soft rubber in addition to the low-performing toe cap that simply doesn't get the job done on demanding trails. These minimalist shoes are designed for speed; however, we're not confident in how long they will last.

Should You Buy the Keen Zionic Speed?

If you're interested in an affordable and lightweight hiking shoe that features a minimalist design, the Keen Zionic Speed should definitely be on your shortlist. This comfortable hiking shoe offers ample traction, out-of-the-box comfort for multiple foot shapes, and enough durability for well-maintained trail systems. That being said, it will certainly disappoint those who are seeking structure, stability, waterproof performance, and a higher-quality design that's built to last.

What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?

If you're interested in other hiking shoes that feature a lightweight, simple design, check out the Altra LP Alpine, which is similar to the Zionic Speed in terms of limited support and waterproof protection.