Women’s Keen Revel IV Polar Winter Boot Review

Bottom Line

The Keen Revel IV Polar winter boots are a great choice for winter hiking thanks to their grippy tread, modest insulation, and relative comfort. While using these boots on a backpacking trip in the Bisti Badlands, we found them easy to walk in for a boot, and they handled the terrain well. While climbing up and down dirt washes, we felt stable and secure in these boots.

The main issue was that dirt fell into the boots, which could also be a concern with snow. However, these boots feature an attachment point for gaiters, which can help alleviate this problem. This is just one example of how these boots are built to excel on the trail.

Another reason to use gaiters with these boots is that they are the least water-resistant of all the models we tested. Once the tongue gets wet, these boots allow a significant amount of water to enter. Like many other winter boots, they also take a long time to dry. Overall, we would recommend these boots for cold-weather hiking, especially on packed or dry trails. They are worth the investment when used in the right conditions.

How We Tested

We primarily wore these boots while hiking on cold, dry trails. They accompanied us on an overnight backpacking trip to the Bisti Badlands, where we scrambled up and down washes in the badlands. We also used them closer to home on easy to moderate trails, as well as a few that involved some rock scrambling. Early morning temperatures consistently hovered around 20 degrees during these adventures.

Weight

The Keen Revel boots strike a balance between a minimalist design and a heavy-duty winter boot, resulting in an average weight. When we placed one of the Keen boots on a kitchen scale, it weighed in at 21.3 ounces, or 1.3 pounds. This is about average compared to all the boots we weighed.

The weight of these boots can primarily be attributed to a thicker sole and several design features. On the trail, we found them to be heavier than wearing trail runners, but they felt similar to other hiking boots we’ve worn in the past. Overall, the weight seemed reasonable in relation to their performance.

Water Resistance

Water resistance is not a strong area for the Keen boots, as the inside became wet very quickly during testing. To evaluate water resistance, we placed each pair of shoes in our lineup into a bathtub filled with a few inches of water. We used rocks to prevent the shoes from floating, since all of them were buoyant to some extent. Part of the test involved ensuring that the water rose up to the laces on each pair of boots. This area often a weak area for leakage along with the tops of the boots. The tongue of the Keens proved to be a weakness, as it absorbed water and leaked within 20 minutes.

A further issue with the leakage is that it took several days for the interior of the Revel boots to dry completely. This problem could be somewhat mitigated with the use of gaiters, as these boots do feature a dedicated attachment point for them. However, they will never be truly waterproof like some of the other boots we tested.

Warmth

Moderate insulation in the Revel IV Polar boots provides a moderate level of warmth. For our side-by-side comparison test, we placed these boots in a shaded snowbank. Then we used a laser thermometer to measure the temperature inside the boot every five minutes for half an hour.

The lowest temperature recorded was 33°F. This reading is about average when compared to all the boots in our lineup. One thing we caution readers to remember is that boots will generally feel warmer due to the insulation provided by socks and the body heat from the foot.

Hiking-specific winter boots are also typically not as well insulated, as hiking is a higher aerobic activity than standing around at a festival or riding on a snowmobile. When we wore these boots, our toes were cold when we initially put them on after spending a sub-freezing night camping in the backcountry. However, once we had a chance to walk for fifteen minutes and the sun started to rise, our feet warmed up and felt comfortable for the rest of the day.

Comfort

Half sizes, adjustable laces, and removable inserts all increase the comfort of the Keen Revel IV Polar boots. We evaluated how adjustable each pair of boots is to assist with ranking decisions. Since comfort varies significantly from person to person, this was the most objective way to assess comfort.

In the case of the Keens, they feature an average number of comfort-aiding elements. We appreciate that these boots are available in half sizes, making it easier to get the best fit. However, we wish there were a wide toe box option available. The ability to adjust the fit using the laces or by adding a custom orthotic insert are also big pros. In our experience using these in the field, they were relatively comfortable to wear. We did not have any problems with foot fatigue or fit.

The biggest issue was that the tops of our tester’s toes began to rub after the second day of backpacking with these boots. However, this was likely due to excessive amount of dirt getting into the boots while hiking. This issue could have been easily resolved with the use of a gaiter.

Traction

The Keen Revel IV Polar winter boots have robust tread that make them a great choice for traction. We used a traction measurement device with a lever arm to determine the angle at which each boot loses grip on a rock.

The Revel IV Polar boots performed above average in this test, demonstrating that they have good grip. We also examined the tread on the bottom of each boot to identify which models offer the most surface area. Soles with more complex designs generally have better grip because there is more contact with the ground and thus more friction.

The material can also affect performance. In the case of the Keen boots, the tread is noticeably beefier than most of the other boots in our lineup, and the material feels grippy. In the field, we experienced good traction while hiking in these boots. We were able to climb up and down rocks easily. Of course, there is a limit to how much traction can aid on icy surfaces, but overall, these are an excellent choice.

Should You Buy the Keen Revel IV Polar Winter Boot?

The Revel IV Polar boots are designed for hiking, which is generally their best use. The thicker tread, medium warmth rating, and ankle-high tops support this purpose. Snow can easily get into the boot, so they should be paired with gaiters for deep powder. This makes them less convenient to put on and take off for activities like shoveling or quick dog walks.

What Other Women’s Winter Boots Should You Consider?

We love the Keen Revel IV Polar for hiking in the winter, but it’s not the only hiking specific boot we tested. Here are a few of our other favorites to consider:

Oboz Bridger 7” Insulated Review: As one of our favorite boots overall, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the Bridger 7”. Like the Thermo Chill boots they are incredibly waterproof, though they do weigh a bit more. Their cozy lining and better insulation make them better for lower temperatures. While they are also intended for hiking, their design is a bit more suited for casual use.

Keen Revel IV Polar Review: The Keen Revel IV Polar boots are another of our favorite year-round options. These boots were quite comfortable to wear while backpacking in New Mexico and they have similar warmth to the Thermo Chill boots. Our biggest grievance is that the waterproofing could use some improvement.

Bogs Neo Classic Tall Review: The Bogs Neo Classic Tall boots are not hiking specific, but we still like to wear them on the trail for a variety of reasons. The first is that their taller height means they are better for deep powder, particularly because they are easier to take on and off. They have moderate insulation for cold days, but weigh a bit more due to their design.