Trail running brand Seek, a venture by Keen, dives into the world of fast adventures
Keen, a well-established brand known for hiking footwear, is set to venture into the trail running category with the launch of its first trail running shoe, the Keen Seek. Scheduled for release in the UK in September, the Keen Seek promises to bring a unique blend of rugged durability and comfort to the trail running market.
The Keen Seek is designed with specific features tailored for challenging terrain. Inferred from Keen's trail and hiking shoe design principles, the Keen Seek is likely to include a grippy outsole with multi-directional lugs, offering superior traction on loose and uneven surfaces. The outsole, reminiscent of Keen's Targhee series, features 4mm lugs suitable for rough trails.
For added protection and comfort during wet trail conditions, the Keen Seek may feature a waterproof or breathable membrane, similar to Keen.Dry technology. This feature ensures dryness and comfort, making the Keen Seek an ideal choice for trail runners who face unpredictable weather conditions.
The Keen Seek also boasts a cushioned midsole with dual-density EVA foam, offering shock absorption and support for long distances on variable surfaces. This design feature, combined with anatomical heel support, minimizes slippage and reduces the risk of blisters, ensuring a comfortable running experience over long distances.
Weighing 10.9oz (men's) / 8.75oz (women's), the Keen Seek strikes a balance between lightweight construction and protection, a characteristic that is consistent with other trail/hiking shoes by Keen. The shoe is also designed with a roomy toe box for natural toe splay, offering comfort and promoting a more efficient running style.
The Keen Seek will be available in multiple colorways and will retail for $185. Other notable features include a pre-molded TPU heel counter, a lockdown-knit fit for secure foot placement, a stretchy knit collar for comfort over longer days, and a breathable textile upper and padded tongue for comfort in warm weather.
The development of the Keen Seek took approximately two years and involved a team of testers across the US who helped fine-tune the geometry and design of the shoe through multiple prototypes. One of the lead developers at Keen even ran 900 miles testing various prototypes to ensure the shoe met the highest standards of performance and comfort.
The Keen Seek is designed for well-packed and gravel trails, making it an ideal choice for trail runners seeking a balance between durability, protection, and performance. While it may not prioritize extremely lightweight and fast performance like some specialized trail running shoes, the Keen Seek leans more toward rugged durability and protection given Keen’s heritage in hiking and outdoor footwear.
For precise tech specs and performance reviews of the Keen Seek, checking Keen's official product page or specialized trail running shoe reviews would provide exact data. The Keen Seek will be available in men's and women's sizing and will be released on July 25.
The Keen Seek, designed for trail running, features a grippy outsole with multi-directional lugs, similar to Keen's Targhee series, ensuring superior traction on loose and uneven surfaces. Additionally, it may incorporate Keen's Keen.Dry technology for added protection and comfort during wet trail conditions.
