Review: Keen Terradora leather hiking boots

Hitting the trails of Nova Scotia in the smart, waterproof leather Terradora boot from Keen, £119.99, a versatile hiking boot that is ready for the elements.

Keen Terradora review

Product description: “Hit your fitness goals all year round with this performance hiking shoe, crafted of waterproof leather to keep moisture and debris at bay. The women’s-specific design offers instant — and enduring — comfort.”

All-weather hiking: The two key factors I look for when testing hiking boots are comfort and waterproofing, and Keen’s latest incarnation of the Terradora ticks both boxes without breaking a sweat. The Terradora Leather is extremely comfortable to wear – as cushiony as your favourite trainers – and can stride through mud and puddles all day without letting any moisture through its waterproof nubuck leather uppers. These combine with thick rubber outsoles to make the Terradora feel like a neat hybrid of leather and fabric boots, and an effective mesh inner layer keeps them breathable when you work up a sweat in the mountains. My Terradoras came with me to tackle Nova Scotia’s Cabot trail and spent a week hiking along remote trails in the rain, no problem. The only thing I’d change about the design are the low-cut ankles – I prefer a higher cut for more support, especially on uneven terrain. The leather uppers may not let water through but they also take a while to dry fully once immersed.

Verdict: High performing, good-looking and comfortable straight out of the box – I wouldn’t expect less from Keen. The warm leather and breathable mesh lining makes the Terradora versatile enough to wear on winter and summer adventures – if you want to invest in a smart new pair of boots these are a no brainer.