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Keen Ambler Mesh
- Keen Ambler Mesh
- Keen Ambler Mesh
- Keen Ambler Mesh
- Keen Ambler Mesh
- Keen Ambler Mesh Good water resistance
What It Is
A breathable mesh low-cut hiker with an EVA foam midsole and no shank—made for short, dry weather adventures
77
- 95-100 Extremely high recommendation.
- 90-94 Enthusiastically recommended. Exceptional.
- 80-89 Highly recommended - few reservations.
- 70-79 Recommended. Standard performance.
- 60-69 Fair. Recommended for certain uses.
- 50-59 Poor. Not recommended in general.
The Good |
The Bad |
The Verdict |
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The best way to put it—this is a cross between a very light liker and a town shoe. Top-of-the-charts comfort with just enough muscle to handle light trails. It’s perfect as an all-around summer light hiker for shorter on-trail walks with no pack. |
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Breathability
By the time I switched to the Ambler, my feet were sweaty from the previous shoe I was testing and blisters were just beginning to form, so the breathability of the Ambler was a welcome change. This breathable mesh construction also makes the Ambler very lightweight. The moisture wicking lining also helps keep feet dry and blister-free.
Support & Stability
Even compared to other low-cuts, this shoe isn't designed to provide much stability. It's still a soft shoe with no shank, so there sole is comfortable but twisty and bendable in mixed terrain. Although this is not an appropriate hiker for very rocky or unstable terrain, it is perfect for short day hikes on-trail. The Ambler uses a blend of polyurethane, cork, and memory foam that the company claims will “contour” to your foot, eliminating uncomfortable pressure points. We didn’t test it long enough to notice that effect, but regardless—the comfort rating on these shoes is at the top of the charts.
The padding in the sidewalls and the toe bumper gives these a touch more protection than your average trail running shoe.
Weatherproofing
Technically, these are not waterproof shoes, but they are quite water resistant (exhibit A: stumbling into a low stream, no penetration). Although not built for wet weather, they will withstand some dampness.
Value
For the price ($95) the Ambler is a phenomenal value for an all-around summer outdoor shoe—not one that's ready for off-trail or load-bearing backpacking, but one that's perfect for those mellow adventures where a trail running shoe is not protective enough.
Durability
The all-mesh construction make these nicely breathable, though there's going to be some sacrifice in durability. The fat rubber toe rand helps somewhat, but the mesh upper is not going to withstand many seasons of sidewall scraping.
How We Tested It
Two hikes -- one 16 miler into New Mexico’s rugged Truchas mountains with a 12-pound pack on a hot day punctuated with downpours. Terrain included slippery river rocks, loose rock and dirt as well as mellow trails. The other was a 6 mile overnight with a 15-pound pack on a moderately chunky mining road in sunny and rainy weather. For consistency, all boots were tested with Goodhew's ridiculously comfortable alpaca and merino wool Sedona sock.
The products featured in this test have been loaned to the Gear Institute. For more on our policies regarding editorial objectivity and sample returns, see here.
Ready to Purchase?
Retailer |
Product Name |
Price |
| Amazon.com | Keen Women's Ambler Mesh Hiking Shoe,Woodbine/Neutral Grey,5 M US | $94.95 |
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Ratings
Support & Stability
3
10
Quality of Construction
5
10
Comfort
10
10
Weight to Stability Ratio
5
10
Durability
4
10
Value
10
10
Gear Institute Rating (Total Score)
77
100
Weight
10 oz
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