User Review: Keen Women's Oregon PCT

I wanted to like these boots. I bought them looking to replace my old Lowa Mid Renagades GTX, (which are no longer made to be the sturdy boot of old, and another story of good products going cheap).

I have worn the Oregon PCT's for one year and will not be buying another pair. They have broken down too quickly and have begun to hurt my feet. I hike and backpack in my home state of Colorado on a weekly basis and used the Oregon PCT's for hiking only, so no running around town or casual wear in these boots. I bought them to be a 'workhorse' carrying heavy loads on rough terrain.

The initial fit was good, but took awhile to get the lacing just right and the ankle cuff comfortable, the laces are a little too round and bulky (ended up changing the laces to a flat). After a month of break-in I was happy with their trail performance, great traction for the first six months of wear. But the tread has faded quickly and the cheap footbeds no longer offer support. Attempted to replace footbeds with my favorite "Downunders" and the boot just didn't fit right with them installed.

The other issue I had was the Goretex "sweat box" factor. These boots hold on to sweat and were always wet inside after use. Having years of experience with the Lowa GTX boots I never had the moisture problems I had with the Keen Oregon PCT's. And not the warmest boot in a little skiff of snowfall, toebox gets wet and stays cold.

It's a beefy boot that just didn't live up to its promise of long wear and comfort. One year of strong use broke these boots down quickly...where in the past I've gotten 2 good seasons out of hiking boots before retiring them.

So I am still searching for that great hiking boot that will last a season or two and fits just right!