Keen Revel IV Polar - Women's Review

The Revel IV Polar boasts an excellent fit with comfort and traction that will keep your feet happy out on the coldest days. The burly lugs underfoot will stick to slippery trails and punch through deep snow, while the protective upper maintains superior weather protection to keep your feet dry. This boot is our top recommendation for a burly winter hiker.

Warmth

While not the most stylish shoe, I continued to reach for the Revel IV for snowshoe hikes, dog walks, and morning preparation on ski days. The underfoot traction is roughly 1.5 inches thick, which acts as an additional insulator. The boot's cold-weather rating is -25 Fahrenheit. While I couldn't test in temperatures that low, I found it to retain warmth and comfort in 4+ hours of cold exposure. For this reason, I would highly recommend this for any outdoor activities that don't require long periods of deep snow penetration.

Nearly all of the boots in our test group contain 200 grams of insulation or less. We have found that 100-200 grams is the most common amount of insulation for everyday winter footwear. Boots with 200 grams of insulation have proven to be the best at sustaining warmth for an extended period. The Revel IV has 200 grams and held its internal temperature during an ice bath test the best of all the boots we tested, changing only 3.8 degrees after 10 minutes.

While hiking, I wore the Revel IV with a thin pair of synthetic socks and didn't seem to sweat much or experience chilly toes. My feet stayed dry and warm even after dipping the boots in rivers and streams. The ample insulation doesn't impede the fit, so toes can wiggle around and generate heat. The Keen Dry membrane of the upper retains heat while maintaining breathability. This is a great choice for those who work outside or like outdoor winter activities.

Weather Protection

The Revel IV Polar offers excellent weather protection for its size. The high-top construction comes just above the ankle. This design allows the range of motion necessary to hike while providing enough coverage to stabilize your ankles on sloped and slippery terrain. Keen also makes a higher-top version of this boot for those looking for more even coverage.

I spent a lot of time in the Revel while hiking and exploring in late Fall. Not only did I wear this boot while teaching at an outdoor school that spends the entire day outside in the Colorado mountains, but I also wore it while shopping, hiking, exploring, and more. It kept my feet warm and dry through mud, snow, storms, and blizzards.

During our puddle tests, where we stood in a river and stomped around to determine the level of waterproofness, the Revel IV Polar proved to be completely sealed and protective. This boot should keep your feet dry if you find yourself hiking through rivers or puddles regularly. The only caveat is the height. I tested the mid, which, when paired with snow or hiking pants, does great for protection. However, the mid won't protect from the tallest of snowbanks on its own.

Unfortunately, most winter boots optimized for hiking will have a mid-to-low construction. When you're walking around on slippery surfaces, you want a stiff and sturdy upper to keep your ankles from rolling. Snow in the upper collar is a sacrifice you will have to make if you want a stiff boot. Otherwise, gaiters are an option, and luckily, the Revel IV has gaiter connectors.

Comfort and Fit

Of all the hiking boots we've tested so far, this one stands out as one of the most comfortable. Some boots are known for a better fit for narrow feet, while the Revel IV Polar has a wider profile.

The midsole construction of the Revel IV is supportive under the arch and roomy in the toes. It's built to be easily paired with thin or thick socks and worn all day in cold weather. Those with wider feet may like a thick wool sock, which makes for a tighter fit. The fit is true to size but roomier than most hiking boots — which means more space to wiggle your toes and layer up.

The Revel doesn't need a fuzzy fur liner to feel comfortable. The recycled PET insulation is paired with Keen's Thermal Heat Shield insole and a compression-molded EVA midsole. The tongue is soft and wide and doesn't create any pinch points on the arch. The mid-rise height is incredibly stable, with lots of lateral room in the toe box for those with wider feet. This is truly an excellent choice if you're looking for an all-day wear winter boot.

Traction

The traction on this boot is exceptional. While no boot can protect over black ice surfaces, this one kept us upright on just about every other surface. Heavy snow, slippery, icy, slushy spring melt, mud, and more. It's an all-terrain hiker built to take on outdoor workdays and steep mountain trails alike. Plus, it pairs easily with snow grips or snowshoes for more technical terrain.

The rubber outsole of the Revel IV features 5mm multi-directional lugs that are well spaced for all sorts of conditions. This boot bites down on slippery surfaces and will keep you upright. The rubber is softer, allowing the shoe to conform to rocky surfaces. Keen's rubber performs similarly to Vibram Arctic Grip soles. The only issue I had was on a clay road and warmer, muddy trails. These surfaces were so sticky that the clay and mud stuck between the lugs. After a while, I used a stick to carve the mud out.

Overall, the traction on this versatile boot is trustworthy compared to the competition. Because of its performance, I'd recommend it for hiking through cold and cool weather and for travel in the city or suburbs.

Quality of Construction

The outer is a combination of leather, nylon, and a “performance mesh” lining that creates a sturdy, thick barrier to protect your feet from the outside elements. While we suggest using a leather waterproofing treatment and a leather conditioner to keep this boot from deteriorating over time, the Revel IV Polar has held up well despite some softening in the leather collar and scuff marks on the toe. The rubber reinforcements in the toe and heel maintain structure in the foot, and the stiff leather spine and collar maintain structure around the ankle and heel.

The Keen Polar rubber outsole is about 1 inch thick underfoot and 1½ inches under the heel. The Revel IV has one of the thickest bases in the test group, accompanied by thick, deep lugs. Based on the boot's overall performance during winter activities, it can be assumed the grip and traction will hold up for many seasons.

Should You Buy the Keen Revel IV Polar?

The Revel IV Polar is a top contender in the world of winter hiking boots. It maintains a stiff, structured fit while providing great shock absorption and 200 grams of recycled insulation. The IV model is lighter than previous models, but it still is on the bulkier side, with one of the best outsoles we've tested. It's built for all-day wear and has a roomy fit in the toe box for those with wider feet. Enjoy its comfort and performance, all at a reasonable price for a bomber winter boot. Winter boots can cost an arm and a leg, so you might as well buy a boot that checks all the boxes. The sticker price on the Revel IV is not a small sum, but it is slightly lower than some of the top contenders in our lineup, and the performance is undeniable. After many miles of winter hiking, the boot's exterior suffered minimal wear and tear. The thick rubber toe ensures that high-impact zones are well-protected and thus more durable. We suspect this boot will last a long time, given the excellent construction and performance thus far.

What Other Winter Boots Should You Consider?

For a winter hiking boot that won't let you down, stick with the Keen Revel IV. If you don't need a hiking-style boot, the Baffin Chloe is our favorite all-around winter boot for most people. We also love the Kamik Momentum 3 if you want to save some bucks and like an easy slip-on, bungee-style lacing system.