I first fell in love with the look of the KEEN Seek due to the color: a pink/black/white scheme with a big ‘K’ that wasn’t overly branded, but fit the look. After some miles in these, there’s more to love than the subtle bold colors (and that they’re from the PNW)!
We all know KEEN for their hiking shoes (and their iconic sandals!), and they’ve entered the trail running arena with the Roam and the Seek. Both are similar in stack height, drop, and weight, but the Seek is the max cushion / max tread iteration, making it a great long-distance option. Let’s get into it.
Fit and Construction
As KEEN is known for, the toe box is noticeably wider than most trail running shoes, allowing toes to spread naturally, which is a huge selling feature for me. Runners who like a narrower shoe might feel a bit sloppy in these, but it’s a nice ride and your toenails will thank you for a little bit of extra room in the forefoot.
The midfoot offers a secure hold without feeling restrictive, and heel lockdown remained consistent. There is a snug-fitting collar that, while stretchy, acts as a bit of a gaiter, while also giving a secure fit. The downside of this collar is that without a bit of a taller sock, there could be some chafing issues from the additional seam here.
The knit upper, including around the heel, is comfortable out of the box and provides adequate structure, even though it’s not bulky or padded, though a downside of the softer mesh is less debris protection, though the upside is breathability and ability to shed water, so pick your poison.
As any trail shoe should, there’s a toe bumper thoughtfully placed so as not to create too much rigidity. The Seeks also have flat laces and there’s an empty eyelet up front to attach an additional gaiter (as well as Velcro in the back).
Specs
- Weight: 8.61 oz / 241 g
- Stack: 39mm
- Drop: 6mm
- Lug height: 4mm
Outsole
Although this PNW winter has been quite mild and the truly muddy months are yet to come, I’ve been loving these on the trails for the tread most of all. The 4mm lugs, which are butterfly-shaped, are as grippy as any other and are rated up to 925 miles before being worn smooth! The QuantumFoamX used in the outsole is comfortable without fatigue and feels responsive even without a rocker plate.
Conclusion
The Seek is a comfortable, durable trail running shoe that emphasizes stability and fit over speed. I’ve been enjoying this pair for my longer runs given the traction and roomier toebox and while they may not appeal to runners seeking a lightweight or highly responsive option, the longevity and comfort for hours of running at a time is a big draw!
I’m looking forward to more of KEEN’s trail shoe iterations. They’re not new to footwear for the wilderness, but making a running shoe is a different beast and their premier is a job well done!
