Rose Anvil is the godfather of boot testing and also is a company that makes shoes and boots. He has cut hundreds of boots in half with a band saw. To review and analyze boots from modern times all the way back to WWI. Check out his YouTube channel. If you're into boots you won't regret it.
This is his take on the best spring thru fall hiking boot. And Keen is the answer. Probably the most popular boot in the Appliachian and many other trails:
https://youtube.com/shorts/H4pjXJKwsdA?si=dk1BHNigRDXEVMLW
I have a pair of KEEN hiking shoes and while they are good, i don't like the way they lace. They use a nylon loop at the top lace, and that wears out. If they used a loop like the rest of the shoe or a metal hole or hook they'd be perfect.
Toe box is not that big either, make sure you get a half size larger at least.
And find a design that doesn't have this nylon loop at the top. [Of any brand shoe/boot.] That's a crap design feature.
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