Review on Vented Low-Cut Hiking Shoe For Women: KEEN Nxis Speed by James Ortega

I love Keen hiking shoes, and while I'd prefer a waterproof shoe, this Nxis Speed version is sturdy, supportive, and comfortable. The rugged toe cap should last longer than the covered plastic of my waterproof pair, which scraped off to show the white plastic underneath during a hike. I love that I put these on my feet and wore them for an entire day, with no break-in period needed.Because I am between sizes, depending on brand and type of shoe, I went with the larger 9 as I do with most Keen shoes. They fit perfectly with hiking socks or thicker low socks. The toe box is generous -- something I really like -- without the shoe being loose at the heel. The sole is thick and rugged. It has good treads on the bottom and a cushioned foot bed that absorbs impacts. Because they aren't waterproof, they use a fabric covering that has well-placed mesh to provide good breathability.These are low hiking shoes, not hiking boots, so they don't provide rigid support for my ankles, but I find that their ankle support is adequate, about what you'd get in a pair of good running shoes. The rest of the shoe has the kind of support that you'd expect from Keen's hiking line. I prefer this lower cut to a higher boot (and greater support) since it has less of a chance of rubbing against my ankle bone. That said, if I were doing a challenging hike, I might prefer something more supportive. For me, though, these shoes are perfect.-- Debbie Lee Wesselmann