KEEN’s latest UNEEK model adds more grip, cushioning and trail capability.
Not Your Typical Sneaker
The KEEN UNEEK Trekker Sneaker lives up to its name. Instead of a traditional upper, it relies on KEEN’s novel two-cord construction. It’s a design that has been around in KEEN world for 10 years, but it still stands out in a market overcrowded with lifestyle sneakers. In contrast to other UNEEK styles, the corded construction is more subtle in the UNEEK Trekker Sneaker, but this is still a shoe guaranteed to stand out.
The Trekker offers a more substantial package than the sandal platform of other UNEEKs, landing somewhere between a casual sneaker and a light hiker, targeting the hybrid space where a lot of people spend their time: walking around town, travelling or moving between indoors, pavement and park.
A Natural Fit
The UNEEK platform has always been more about comfort than precision, and that remains true here. The cord-based upper wraps around the foot rather than firmly enclosing it in a traditional shell. The result is a fit that feels surprisingly natural, particularly through the forefoot. Like most KEEN footwear, there’s plenty of room for toes to splay, which will appeal to those who find many modern sneakers on the narrow side.
But hikers who prefer the locked-in feel of a technical trail shoe may find the upper a little too relaxed. (And the UNEEK Trekker Sneaker runs large. Our tester Susan needed to size down a half size.) On uneven terrain, you might feel a little less locked in, but the shoe’s mid- and outsole does add substantial cushion and grip (more on that below).
“I always thought of the UNEEK lineup as niche sandals,” says Susan, “but the Trekker Sneaker is somewhere between a sandal and a hiking shoe. Due to the flexible upper, it feels a lot less constricting than a typical shoe. To me it feels like my favourite sandals, but more protective. The sticky sole really grabs the ground on trails. I also felt confident climbing stairs and walking the dog on pavement, grass and gravel. I wear the UNEEK Trekker everywhere, except on long hikes/runs.”
More Capable Underfoot
To live up to its billing as a trekker, the shoe boasts a beefier understory. The Trekker midsole with high-rebound foam feels substantial across varied surfaces. The outsole is another step forward. While not an aggressive mountain-running sole, the grippy rubber with studded lugs provides enough grip for gravel roads, forest paths and moderately rough terrain. During testing, “it felt secure on hard-packed trails where a typical lifestyle sneaker would start to feel wonky,” Susan says. “I also appreciate the generous wraparound toecap because I hate stubbing my toe.”
“I appreciate the generous wraparound toecap because I hate stubbing my toe.”
Where the shoe starts to reach its limits is on steeper, more technical terrain. The flexible upper and moderate tread simply aren’t designed for scrambling, muddy trails or carrying heavier loads. “And that’s fine,” says Susan. “I have my hiking boots for that. But my hiking boots are a lot less fun to wear.”
Travels Well
The Trekker handles not just an active lifestyle but one that encompasses varied terrain both human-built and natural. So it’s a natural travel shoe. The lightweight construction, breathable design and responsive cushioning make it a practical option for trips where you don’t know exactly what each day will bring. “I can see packing the UNEEK Trekker Sneaker on trips where I will be doing a bit of everything,” says Susan, “because that’s exactly the sort of shoe it is: It does a bit of everything.”
Put simply: The KEEN UNEEK Trekker Sneaker’s corded upper design and flexible performance remains the defining feature, but the addition of a more capable outsole and improved cushioning broadens its appeal beyond the casual hybrid-sandal settings of the other UNEEK styles.
Best For: Travel, everyday wear, cottage weekends, gravel paths and light trail adventures.
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