With summer speeding in, we picked a pack of shoes and put the through the test in a short series called Shoe Picks. Find out which of our favorite pairs fits you best.
KEEN company profile
Keen got its start by creating a sandal that protected the toes with a patented rubber bumper. This innovation skyrocketed the company and it was named 2003’s “Launch of the Year” by Footwear News, the industry’s leading trade publication. In the past 12 years, the company has expanded their footwear offerings and continues to deliver high quality, comfortable shoes.
Marshall WP (Low Cut) - 15.3 oz/434 g, $130
The Marshall WP retains the recognizable toe bumper and delivers performance combined with comfort for light hiking over rough terrain. It is constructed out of durable waterproof materials with a semi-rigid sole, and manages to keep weight low enough so you can take it on your daily jogs. The tough little shoe is comfortable out of the box and even comes in a variety of colors in case you want to grab more than one.
The Marshall WP is designed for light hiking and its construction reflects that.
Top-down, the low cut shoe is made from waterproof and breathable material and sits on a conforming heel. The patented KEEN.Dry material lets vapor out without letting water in and is reinforced with a durable rubber and lightweight leather overlays that keep the material from getting torn up on the trail. The lining is moisture wicking and wraps around a contoured heel lock that conforms to your foot for personalized comfort.
The inner sole is layered to achieve fast performance and resist rough terrain. Below the removable EVA footbed is a high rebound polyurethane midsole normally found in sneakers. However, the difference that sets the Marshall WP apart from typical sports shoes is a stiff nylon support shank that protects the foot from punctures and stone bruises.
The outer sole is designed for traction and to take a beating. Janitors and moms will be happy to hear all the materials are non-marking. You will be happy to hear the solid rubber outsole is high traction and equipped with 4mm multi-directional lugs, or tracks. With the recognizable KEEN Toe Protection bumper, the shoe combines all of these features seamlessly into a stylish design with pleasing color combinations.
It took a beating, and looks like I just took it out of the box.
In order to test these shoes out, I put them through the gauntlet. Right now I’m training for a 20 day whitewater canoe expedition that will include a generous portion portaging over 3,300 ft. canyons. My training, therefore, is a brutal combination of trail running and opportune harsh environment training. And in the past couple of months, I got lucky a couple times with gnarly weather.
The Marshall WP is comfortable and lives up to KEEN’s claims. I was pleased to discover that it fit out of the box and did not produce any hot spots or other comfort problems, and the 15.3 oz. weight did not fatigue my legs. Although it has a shank, there was enough flex in the sole that I had a natural stride; something not possible with a more rigid shoe (imagine running in ski boots). In addition, the toe box is generous and allows for your feet to expand and flatten out on a longer hike or run.
With regard to performance, I ran it through snow, slush, rain, puddles, over gravel, rocks, you name it; and it kept my feet dry and my soles happy. The upper shoe never let any water in and my feet and socks felt cool and dry at the end of runs. I also ran it over sharp stones, through the forest over branches and downed trees, and on flat ground too. The sole felt sturdy but flexible enough to run on the balls of my feet* for the duration of my run, and the bottoms of my feet felt protected from stones and sharp bits.
In conclusion…
The KEEN Marshall WP is the shoe I would recommend for activities ranging from light hiking to recreational trail running. The design does not make it look like your typical “hiking shoe,” which means you can wear it in the city, and it comes in a variety of colors to suit your taste.
*I used to be a heel-to-toe guy, now I stay on the balls of my feet
Check out our other Shoe Picks for the summer:
40 Comments
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Hi
My name is Al-Amin and I am from Bangladesh, I moved to New York and wish to go hiking with my Cousin.I will go with these shoes if I win, it will be great.
Thank you.
This shoe would be great for the walks I take in my local park. Mostly crushed granite or compressed dirt the tread looks about right for that type of surface.
The marshall WPs are the most attractive shoe in your line up!! Both the male and female version look stylish and comfortable!
Looks like a great shoe, i’d wear these full time, not just for hiking.
Liking the fact that it does not scream “I’M A HIKING SHOE” while still having a a toe that can kick dirt.
I love me some blue shoes. I feel like maybe I should get two pair of boots.. one for long, all day hikes, and ones to wear while I’m out running with the pups. x)
I have a mate who highly rates these. Usually keen is too wide for me, but these fit just about right for me.
Keen is a great brand. I think I would love these shoes
Perfect Shoe!!
I’ve been a fan of keen since picking up a pair of sandals almost 10 years ago. This looks like another great product from an even better company.
I’m spending a few weeks in the MT Washington area this summer. These would be on my feet every day.
I’m digging these, they have design cues that make them more attractive than my current pair of Keens
These look like great running shoes! I love that they are sturdy, but provide room for your feet to move and breath. That’s very important to have in a shoe. My sister runs marathons so I’m going to recommend these shoes to her to try out!
I’ve never owned a pair of Keen’s but I’ve been wanting to add a new pair of hiking shoes to my arsenal. These seem like the ones! They look great for my spur of the moment hiking trips outside of the city and even for kayaking adventures.
What does the triangle ! mean?
The light weight of the marshals would make a huge difference on longer distance hikes. Im a big fan of how keens fit as well.
I want to go but some now and get out and get moving. They sound amazing especially the feel of them!
I like the letting vapor out without letting water in feature, i hated how sweaty my feet would get in my old waterproof hiking shoes.
We live on the lake and are avid outdoor enthusiasts. We run both on concrete as well as on the beach. If I had the chance to win the women’s version of this, it would be a dream come true because I really can use a more comfortable and rugged pair of running shoes. If only the men’s version is available, then I would love to surprise my husband with these, I know he is already enamored with the Keen brand and he would be over the moon happy with a new pair of running shoes.
My favorite shoes until recently were the keen sandals. I love the rubber bumper- it protects my toes from bumping into stones. However,
I recently moved from Chicago to Arizona and these sandals no longer serve the purpose. I go frequently on a short hikes - with a lot of climbing up/down the hills covered with sharp rocks plus there are lot of little loose rocks getting inside my sandals and making it uncomfortable to hike. Therefore I’m in the middle of searching for the right light hiking shoes. I love the idea of the still nylon supporting shank and protecting my foot from stone bruises. I’m looking for sturdy shoes but flexible at the same time. These Marshall WP shoes seem like it would a good fit for me. I just hope they would be also designed for women.
I love the fact that the Marshall WP low cut shoes by Keen could be used for almost anything. I love being outdoors and hiking, so knowing that they could replace my old beat up hiking boots and not weight me down, is just what I need!! Keen shoes are always reliable, no matter what elements are thrown at you!
I would love to give these shoes to my husband. I keep trying to get him to hike with me regularly and this might be just the thing to get him to do it.
These shoes sound perfect for my needs. I am on my feet for 6-8 hours working carrying boxes so the stability and support are a much needed feature. The low profile also allows for greater flexibility. My hiking takes me on wooded trails and beach walks. Ventilation is much more important than insulated for these scenarios.
I would love to wear these Keen’s this summer. They look more comfortable than my current shoes and perfect for hiking.
I’ll take a lighter weight, lower shoe over heavy boots on just about any hike. An ounce off my feet is worth at least the same as a pound out of my pack.
The KEEN Marshall WP is a versatile shoe that works great for light hikes and trails, but is durable enough to withstand rougher terrain. I like these shoes because they are not clunky like normal hiking boots and can help you adapt to your surroundings and overcome anything in your path!
Keens are the best hiking shoes around, especially in the NW! The rubber part at the top of the shoe keeps your toes dry. I would love to win another pair of these because my current ones are finally starting to feel beat up after three years of hiking.
These seem like they’d be perfect for photography - not too unwieldy but still strong enough for the trail.
I love Keens! I’ve gone through several different models & they’ve always been a durable, fashionable shoe.
Love my Keen sandals and these are perfect for day hiking.
The Keen.Dry patented material lets water vapor out without letting water in!!! This is awesome when you are hiking!!! The Marshall DP seems to be a AWESOME light weight hiking shoe!!! It appears to be flexible with plenty of toe room!!! I like the way it seems to wrap around you heel for a good snug fit which is very much needed!!!
I love the Keens I currently have, but I’m about ready for a fresh pair. I’ll have to try these on at a local outfitter before any of my summer trips come around.
Keens have always been a comfortable pair of shoes. Love the wider toe box to keep my feet happy.
The Keen Marshall - WP appears to be an awesome show - Extremely light weight but durable with plenty of toe space!! Great quality!!! I would love to hike in these shoes!!!!
Able to go from the trail to the city with ease, Keen is my go to shoe!
It’s hard to find a shoe that has a wider toe box that can still take a beating from the construction site to the trail. This shoe has been perfect for both of those needs.
Since this review is on the men’s shoe I had to check out the women’s. They have some really nice colors that are still feminine but won’t break your heart when you put them through the muddy elements. I would certainly be interested to see how these fit a narrow foot needing expansion room in the toe chamber without the foot feeling like it is swimming.
I already have a pair of the Keen Marshall WP. I love them because they are wider than most shoes and they don’t squeeze my ape-like feet!