The new Keen Bryce Mid WP hiking boots are built for light hiking. The first thing you will love about them when you try them on is how comfortable they feel.  The numerous layers of cushioning are a delight compared to the stiff militaristic feel of other hikers.  No clomping around with these hikers, they are light and faster than you would expect from a mid height hiking boot.

The Bryce WP Mid hiking boots were the first boots that I tackled a difficult hike with right out of the box without breaking them in and had no sores or blisters afterwards. The 10km Centennial Ridges Trail at Algonqin Park (as with most trails) is littered with roots waiting to trip you up, so I appreciated the thick rubber toe guard that protected my toes with ease. 

The colours of the Bryce lineup are quite attractive. The modern browns (such as the Shitake/Burnt Orange or Java/Tawny Olive for Men, or Black Olive/Mineral Yellow and Chocolate Brown/Mandarin Red for Women) with the sole highlights are all eye-catching with the colours reflected in the laces, loops and tongue.

The Men's shoes weigh 553.80 g and the Women's are 491.32 g.

There are some nice touches such as the reflective thread near the laces so that they are more visible at night, and the rough tread, which Keen refers to as 'Lugs', which were solid and quite grippy. I had no issue with wet rocks or the mixed terrain of Fall leaves and muck.

Above the comfortable non-marking sole, keeping your feet dry is the Keen.Dry waterproof membrane. I walked across a stream and was pleasantly surprised to pull out a completely dry sock when I finished. My feet also weren't sweaty and wet on the bottom after a long hike either as the Keen.Dry membrane is also breathable.

I'm really impressed with these boots, and how will I show my boots thanks in return for the trails I explore? The leather uppers only need the occasional application from a leather cleaner and conditioner that you can purchase at most shoe stores.

These boots are up for the challenge of your next light hike. They will protect you from everything such as soggy trails to the unforeseen hazards underneath those Fall leaves and keep your feet safe and dry. The Keen Bryce Mid WP are available for both Men and Women and retail for approximately $160 Canadian.

Update: November 10th, 2013 - Over a year's worth of useage later, and the Keen Bryce Mid WP hiking boots are still my favourite hiking boots. They have stood up to the numerous long hiking trips and hundreds fof killometers that I have put on them (check out my latest trip, the Frontenac Challenge where these boots kept me safe through 160KM of trails). I still smile when I foolishly trip over some unseen hazzard (or plainly visible) and the large toe caps keep my foot from harm's way. I highly reccomend this boots and even after a year, they don't show much sign of wear. Head over to Keen Footwear to learn more.