KEEN-parison: Which Shoes for Rainy Spring (or Fall) Days?

KEEN proudly calls the Pacific Northwest home. Its reputation for lush greenery goes hand in hand with its 84” of yearly rainfall. (Here’s an old Oregon joke: “How do you tell a native Oregonian? By the moss growing on the north side of their nose.”) If you live in the Pacific Northwest (or another very rainy climate), you know that mucky, squishy, and otherwise damp terrain can either be a major buzzkill or no big deal; it all depends on your gear. During spring and fall, it makes sense to get yourself a water-shedding pair, and avoid succumbing to soggy-feet syndrome.

But which pair should you go for? Here’s a chart that shows you what four (actually, five) of our fave styles have to offer:

(The WP in some of our model names? You guessed it: it stands for waterproof. If you see a “WP” in any KEEN shoe name, you’ll know it means nice dry toes.)

Ok, but what if you’re not a chart person? Here’s a breakdown on what makes each design special:

Women's Presidio/Men's Austin Shoes: The Presidio (for women) and the Austin (for men) are very similar. They’re both sturdy lace-ups with plenty of arch support and a roomy toe box for a comfy, toe-wiggling fit. The leather upper resists water when you're out in the rain, while a KEEN.DRY waterproof membrane keeps feet dry. Check out women’s Presidio and men’s Austin waterproof styles (also available in water-resistant, non-waterproof styles).

Targhee III Hikers: A rainy-day hike? Bring it on! We love the smells and sounds on the trail, and the lack of crowds! All-terrain and all-weather, the Targhee is a KEEN bestseller for a reason. The KEEN.DRY waterproof, breathable membrane lets vapor out without letting water in, so you can scramble up a mud-covered trail (or just take the dog out in the pouring rain).

RELATED: KEEN.DRY: Waterproof Your Rainy-Day Hikes

Venture Hikers: Kind of like if a hiking boot and a sneaker had a hiker sneaker baby. The Venture is lightweight and sporty like a sneaker but has a locked-in feel and all-terrain hiker outsole, plus KEEN.DRY to lock out moisture while still letting your foot breathe (because feet need fresh air too). Check out Venture in men's sizing.

Terradora Hikers: Another “looks like a sneaker, acts like a hiking boot” design, but this one has a women's-specific fit. The breathable mesh upper is sealed with a KEEN.DRY membrane, so water stays on the outside (where it belongs). An EVA midsole feels nice and springy on rainy-day strolls. Check out the women’s Terradora II WP hiker here.

FACT: We use a PFC-free durable water repellent (DWR) treatment. Water beads up and rolls off your shoe, but without the use of toxic “forever chemicals.” Read more about this safe, more sustainable initiative here.

Rain or shine, nature is always there for the exploring. Having the right rain gear lets you get out there and enjoy some fresh air and exercise. And most importantly, enjoy those dry feet.