Bottom Line
When it comes to designing a boot for both winter and hiking, the KEEN Revel IV Polar shines in both categories. Its leather upper provides solid weather resistance, durability, and style. We love the durable features on this boot – like all-metal eyelets, lace hooks, and a thick rubber toe cap to protect our feet from bumps and impact.
Testing these boots with a narrow foot, we found the fit to be a little on the wider side. Those with narrow feet will need to tighten these down exceptionally well – or focus on other winter boots we recommend. The resulting long laces are often in the way and easily come untied. If you have a wider foot, these are the boots for you.
Though the boots’ relatively low shaft height is not ideal for deep snow, we found that the leather upper provides excellent weather resistance and warmth. We loved using these on a variety of activities from hiking to snowshoeing to chores. They kept us comfortable, warm, and dry every step of the way.
Quick Specs
KEEN Revel IV Polar
Best Winter Hiking Boot for Men
Price: $190
Weight: 3 lbs
Insulation: recycled synthetic
Height: 8 in
Pros
- durable
- warm
- great weather resistance
Cons
- break-in time
- not as tall as some winter boots
Comfort
When taking the Revel IV Polars out for their first few hikes, they were very stiff and inflexible. The leather took longer to break in than others we tested, resulting in some discomfort for the first 20-30 miles of use. From then on, the boots fit much more comfortably with the leather yielding to crease comfortably in the flex points.
Through our testing, we found that these boots are designed with wider feet in mind. Those with narrow feet may find themselves slipping from side to side in the boot. We found ourselves having to tighten these boots down tightly to get a secure fit. This resulted in excessively long laces to tie. The round laces often came untied, and we found this to be a hindrance to long hikes when having to retie the boots multiple times per outing. Winter adventures with wider feet may find this insulated boot more comfortable than our narrow-footed tester.
Warmth
At first glance, it’s hard to see how the KEEN Revel IV Polar boots have much insulation. Except for some padding and 200g synthetic insulation in the shaft, the material does not seem thick enough to provide enough insulation for cold weather. Having tested these from single digits to above freezing, we can say that these boots work well across a broad range of temperatures.
Revels work best for aerobic activities where increased body heat will keep your toes warm. They lack the dead space and thick insulation for low output activities in cold temps. However, their two hundred grams of synthetic insulation provide enough warmth for higher output activities. For those hiking and doing winter activities, these boots work best from ten to thirty degrees paired with a winter sock.
Traction
The tread on the KEEN Revel IV Polar is versatile enough to use across most surfaces and conditions. We found that these boots provided the best traction on trails with a variety of dirt and rock as well as packed snow. We were particularly impressed with these boots walking on rocky outcroppings as the lugs bit against the edges of the rock, providing secure footing.
Though the tread pattern of the boots does have some negative space, the traction suffered in looser terrain. Powder snow felt loose and slippery in these boots, and gravel was marbly and hard to get a purchase in. Without sharp edges on the lugs or the edge of the boots, it is difficult to kick adequate steps while ascending steep and loose terrain. These boots worked best on trails with packed snow and dirt where the lugs gripped excellently.
Weather Resistance
The leather and upper materials of the KEEN Revel IV Polar are exceptionally weatherproof providing excellent weather resistance in many conditions. KEEN paired its proprietary waterproofing with a water-resistant leather exterior for moisture protection. Wet snow, low puddles, and slush never made it through the material, and they held their weather resistance without wearing out during our testing.
Their biggest weakness, however, comes in their relatively low shaft height. Compared to other winter boots we tested, the KEEN Revel IV Polar has one of the shorter shaft heights, especially for a dedicated hiking boot. We easily overran the height of these boots in deep snow. Of particular concern is the boot’s integrated tongue, which stops well below the top of the shaft. While this boot is not one to be taken out in shin-deep puddles or wallowing through deep snow, its weather resistance is more than enough for most scenarios. With built-in gaiter attachment points, it’s easy to keep your feet dry with the addition of gaiters.
Durability
The leather of the KEEN Revel IV Polar has taken a beating and keeps on delivering excellent warmth and weather resistance. We’ve added several scuffs and abrasions to these boots, and they have held up well without any rips, tears, or pulled seams. We appreciate some of the details put into this boot to increase their durability – like full metal lace eyelets riveted into the leather, reinforced pull tables, and double-stitched leather seams. Built with a burly toe cap, the boots have withstood being kicked into rocks, roots, and logs multiple times without obvious signs of wear. We’ve even used these boots for winter work like splitting wood and love their long-lasting versatility. Though the boots exhibit several creases and wrinkles, that has only contributed to their appeal and comfort as the leather has broken in while maintaining its integrity.
Should You Buy the KEEN Revel IV Polar?
The KEEN Revel IV Polar shines as a boot for someone who wants the durability and look of leather without any of the bulk and weight of traditional leather boots. For being a wider-built shoe, the Revel IV Polar is lightweight enough for all-day hikes. Those with narrower feet may need to tighten these boots down exceptionally tight – or check out winter boots with narrower fits, such as the Salomon X Ultra. We love these boots’ durability, and the uppers are exceptionally warm and waterproof. The downside is their low shaft height isn’t ideal for deep snow. We recommend this boot for someone hiking in a mixture of dirt and shallow snow who wants a comfortable and reliable boot for many miles.
What Other Men’s Winter Boots Should You Consider?
Our Men’s Winter Boot Guide has several great options tested and reviewed by our Alaska-based gear analyst.
The North Face Chilkat V 400 Review – With a taller shaft height and more cold-weather performance, the Chilkat V 400 is fit for most winter adventures.
Merrell Thermo Chill Mid – Designed similarly with a mid-height shaft but lighter weight and better traction, the Merrell Thermo Chill Mid is a solid winter hiking boot.
Blundstone Thermal – If you love the look and performance of a leather boot but want something a little less technical, check out the Blundstone Thermal. It brings winter performance to an iconic style.
