A lightweight, cushioned trail running shoe that excels on rugged terrain, while offering the comfort and versatility for all-day wear.
The KEEN Women’s Seek Trail Running Shoe blends comfort, stability, and versatility for a range of outdoor activities. The breathable, sock-like upper and roomy toe box fit securely while allowing natural foot movement. Cushioned midsoles and a reliable tread provide confidence across trails, while thoughtful details like the lace garage and heel pull tab show KEEN’s attention to practical design. Whether running, hiking, or wearing them around town, these shoes are a flexible, all-day option.
KEEN Seek Trail Running Shoes: The stats
| Best for: | Trail running and general outdoor wear |
| Weight: | 589g per pair, UK 8 |
| Waterproof: | No |
| Eco-conscious: | PFAS-free |
| Overall rating: |
Features of the KEEN Seek Trail Running Shoes
Outsole
Equipped with high-abrasion KEEN ALL-TERRAIN rubber, the outsole delivers durable, long-lasting traction across varied surfaces. 4mm multi-directional lugs offer excellent grip on rocky trails, wet grass, and loose gravel. In practice, the tread feels secure underfoot, giving confidence on technical terrain and steep descents, while remaining comfortable for longer runs and hikes.Laces
A traditional tie lace system ensures a secure, personalised fit. The stretchy sock-like upper works with the laces to hug the foot in the right places without feeling restrictive. There’s also a generous lace garage that tucks laces neatly away to prevent snagging.
Insole
The slim foam insole provides a neutral base, adding subtle support without altering the shoe’s fit. It complements the cushioning to keep feet comfortable over longer runs or hikes.
Cushioning
KEEN describes the Quantum Foam X midsole as their newest and most energetic foam, designed for more fluid runs with longer-lasting comfort. It provides a responsive yet protective ride, absorbing impacts while giving stability on technical trails.
Uppers
Padded around the tongue and collar, the sock-like upper enhances comfort at the ankle while working with the stretchy textile to provide a secure, rub-free fit. The abrasion-resistant textile is breathable and flexible, allowing natural foot movement.
Toebox
Generous space across the forefoot reflects KEEN’s iconic fit, allowing toes to splay naturally. This wide toebox design improves comfort on uneven terrain, while the midfoot sock-like structure and lace system maintain a secure fit.
KEEN Seek Trail Running Shoes review
Thoughtful design features
For KEEN’s first dedicated trail running shoe, the Seek feels impressively well-developed. It’s clear a huge amount of thought and research has gone into the design, resulting in a shoe that genuinely works for trail runners.
There’s a reinforced cutout at the base of the laces and a hook-and-loop attachment at the heel, offering secure points for gaiters without affecting flexibility or comfort. A neat lace garage on the tongue keeps laces tucked safely away to prevent snagging, which is a small but genuinely useful touch on technical trails. I wasn’t sure how I’d adapt to the generous cushioning, having come from a more minimal feel shoe, but it provides a reassuring sense of stability, grip, and comfort across varied terrain. The shoe feels considered from top to bottom, right down to the care instructions on KEEN’s website, which make it easy to keep them clean and performing well muddy run after muddy run.
Trail performance
I run and hike these across rock, loose gravel, wet grass, mud, and sand, and the outsole holds its own in every scenario. The 4mm multi-directional lugs bite in and give reliable traction whether you’re picking a line downhill or skirting wet rocks. That grip, combined with the Quantum Foam X midsole, provides underfoot protection without disconnecting you from the terrain. The cushioning strikes a careful balance: firm enough to remain stable on uneven ground, yet soft enough to absorb impact over longer runs.
The roomy toe box adds comfort without compromising control, keeping the fit secure on technical terrain. I’ve put them through many summer miles and the tread still looks fresh. KEEN say the outsole is tested for up to 925 miles, or around 1,500 kilometres, and from what I’ve seen so far, that seems entirely believable.
Versatility and everyday use
These shoes aren’t just for the trails. The Seek are very comfortable, and the styling means they work well in everyday settings without looking overly technical. I run in them, hike in them, and also wear them for errands or casual days out. They do soak through easily, but also they dry quickly. The breathable upper and KEEN’s Eco Anti-Odour treatment for natural, pesticide-free odour control mean you never need to wait long between wears.
All of this makes the Seek a great choice for travelling. You can rely on one pair of shoes for trails, exploring new places, and general walking, which is ideal if you want a single pair of shoes for multiple purposes.
What I love the most about the KEEN Seek Trail Running Shoes
I really enjoy how versatile the Women’s Seek are. Comfortable for trail runs, hikes, and even just running about town, with a style that doesn’t look overly technical off the trails. The Quantum Foam X cushioning and grippy rubber outsole provide confidence on varied terrain, while small touches like the lace garage and roomy toebox make a real difference. They dry quickly and stay fresh enough to wear regularly.
I also love how clearly thought-through the design is. You can tell KEEN have really listened to trail runners and thoroughly prototyped these shoes. Their approach to sustainability in the form of durability also shines through. With a 925-mile (1,500 km) lifespan for the outsole, they’ve truly built the Seek to last. From the “Consciously Created” KEEN ethos to the care instructions on the website, these shoes are a considered and lasting investment.
What I don’t love so much about the KEEN Seek Trail Running Shoes
Honestly, there’s very little to criticise here. KEEN have really knocked it out of the park with the Seek. Footwear is, of course, a very individual preference. What works for one runner won’t necessarily work for another because of differences in physiology. I’d always suggest trying new footwear with an open mind, though. The Seek had a more cushioned feel than I’d normally reach for, but I’ve ended up loving them. I’m genuinely excited to see what else KEEN bring to the trail running scene in the future.
Verdict
The KEEN Seek trail running shoes are perfect for anyone looking for a workhorse shoe that can handle everything from technical trails to everyday wear, including travel. They’re very well designed, and the focus on durability gives confidence that they’ll last for plenty of miles, making the thoughtful design even more valuable.
At £160, they’re excellent value for money, combining comfort, performance, and longevity in a shoe you can rely on. I can’t fault them!
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Disclaimer: Cool of the Wild received this product free in return for an honest review. We only recommend gear that we love from companies we trust and we are under no obligation to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are that of the reviewer and we are in no way influenced by the brand or company.
