Packing Venture for Adventure
Sometimes the epicness of a trip starts when you actually find a way to fit everything into one backpack and maybe even manage to pack only one shoe that can do it all.
Adventure versatility is a big deal to us at KEEN. So when a few of our ambassadors recently took off for different adventures around the globe—and all took our new KEEN Venture hikers with them—we asked them to give us a quick report when they got back.
From an aggressive approach shoe for rock climbing to an all-around explorer in Asia, Venture brought the adventure. Here’s what they said:
DESTINATION: NEPAL
KEEN Ambassador and Fan Nick Greece
Mission: To meet with the KarmaFlights team and discuss upcoming 2019 projects to build new classrooms, add to food programs, and make sure the annual winter coat drive continues.
“Usually I'm anchored down with giant paraglider bags, but I try, when possible, to travel with only a backpack. Bringing laundry soap and doing laundry in the sink makes light travel liberating. With two long layovers in Bangkok and Tokyo, I planned to hit the cities en route and take in the sights, culture, and mainly food of both stopovers. With the Venture shoe, and a pair of flip-flops/Newports, I was prepared to tackle anything that came before me, in almost any temperature and weather I encountered—from airports, to bustling cities, to trails at the base of the Annapurnas.
“The shoes held up to everything I threw at them from back roads of Nepal, to brisk city streets of Hong Kong. Either place I felt at ease and not over- or underdressed, or unprepared. The extra volume in the shoe is great for swollen travel feet, which I had a lot being that it was a 7-day trip that hit Thailand, Nepal, and Hong Kong. I added a thicker KEEN insole when the swelling in my feet went down for a performance fit, and took it out when I got back to the airplane shuffle. Waterproof yet breathable, sporting look, and comfortable in a variety of situations.”
DESTINATION: CHIAPAS, MEXICO
KEEN Ambassador and Fan Ari Delashmutt
Mission: Epic paragliding in a new area.
"On this latest trip, I headed to Chiapas, Mexico, to paraglide. I took one pair of shoes: the KEEN Venture Mids. On one of my flying days, I flew 20 miles west and crossed El Cañon del Sumidero, a stunning 3,000' deep ravine. I flew another 2 hours and ended up landing in a field that forced me to hike 1.5 hours through vines, cacti, and sharp rocks, all while packing my 40lb glider backpack. I couldn't have picked a better shoe. The Venture Mids are supportive enough to be a hiking boot, light enough to go everywhere as a trail shoe and have tons of style for the street at night. They were the perfect one-shoe quiver for this trip. They're my favorite KEEN shoes of all time."
Men's Venture Mid waterproof boot in Blue Nights/Raven
DESTINATION: ZION CANYON, UTAH
Photos by Dan Krauss
KEEN Ambassador and Fan Jeremy Collins
Mission: To create a new route in one of his longtime favorite climbing spots in Zion National Park.
“I have been wearing KEENs on a daily basis for about six years now, and these are some of the finest yet. I recently did a trip to Zion Canyon in my low tops and they worked perfectly. We were climbing and carrying VERY heavy packs. My Ventures were a solid surprise. The new outsole is easily my favorite yet—aggressive, easy cleaning, and durable. It snowed like crazy on the trip, and although my nose was wet, my feet were dry.”
Photo by Dan Krauss
Featuring KonnectFit, our new interlocking heel-stability system for a locked-in feel on steep terrain, Venture is essential equipment for scrambles, ascents, and quick-pace hikes. Explore the collection.
What is your favorite KEEN shoe to pack for adventure? Every KEEN has a story, and we’d love to hear yours. Just tag @KEEN or send your story to fanstories@keenfootwear.com for a chance to be featured. Happy trails!