REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Optimized for hiking
REASONS TO AVOID
Not protective or warm
Expensive
Traction could be better
Keen Revel IV Polar Review
These comfortable winter hiking boots are more expensive than other similar options
The Keen Revel IV Polar is a comfortable winter hiking boot, but there are better options out there.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
By Jeff Dobronyi ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ February 14, 2025
Contributions From: Travis Reddinger
RELATED: The Best Winter Boots for Men
Our Verdict
The Keen Revel IV Polar is a decent winter boot with great comfort. The footbed is well structured, and the insulation provides a cozy interior. However, these boots aren't particularly warm, and they have a relatively low shaft height, making them more susceptible to water and deep snow than other boots. Their tread pattern could be better designed for more robust traction, and some components make us question the boot's long-term durability. On top of that, these boots are more expensive than other winter hiking boots that perform better. All in all, this is a nice boot, but can't fare well against other footwear offerings in our lineup.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Keen Revel IV Polar | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Winter Boot |  Best Bang for Your Buck |  Best Winter Hiking Boot | Best for Winter Chores and Outdoor Work | |
| Price | $200 List Check Amazon (on sale!) | $159 List Check Price at REI | $130 List Check Price at REI | $150 List Check Price at Amazon | $170 List Check Amazon (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | These comfortable winter hiking boots are more expensive than other similar options | These boots are the total package, with warmth, comfort, a great fit, and a fair price | These affordable boots nearly match the performance of the best models but without straining your wallet | This is a great choice for hiking packed trails, running errands, or winter dog walking | For wet, icy, and muddy cold-weather chores, this rubber and neoprene boot is our first choice |
| Rating Categories | Keen Revel IV Polar | The North Face Chilk... | Columbia Bugaboot III | Merrell Thermo Chill... | Muck Boot Arctic Spo... |
| Warmth (25%) | |||||
| Weather Protection (25%) | |||||
| Comfort and Fit (20%) | |||||
| Traction (15%) | |||||
| Quality of Construction (15%) | |||||
| Specifications | Keen Revel IV Polar | The North Face Chilk... | Columbia Bugaboot III | Merrell Thermo Chill... | Muck Boot Arctic Spo... |
| Maximum Puddle Depth | 5.0" | 7.2" | 7.2" | 5.25" | 13.0" |
| Measured Weight | 3.36 lbs (size 11) | 3.58 lbs (size 11) | 3.43 lbs (size 11) | 2.60 lbs (size 14) | 5.09 lbs (size 13) |
| Measured Shaft Height | 4.5" | 8.0" | 7.0" | 7.5" | 13.0" |
| Lining/Insulation | 200g of KEEN.WARM Recycled P.E.T. | 400g Heatseeker Eco | 200g synthetic | 200g M Select WARM | Fleece, 5mm CR Flex-Foam neoprene |
| Appropriate Activity | Hiking, town | Town, errands | Hiking, town, chores, errands | Hiking, town | Chores |
| Fit Details | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size | Roomy |
| Upper Material | Waterproof leather and mesh | Waterproof leather & suede | Waterproof leather | Waterproof polyurethane-coated leather and mesh | Rubber |
| Toe Box | Rubber | Rubber | Rubber | Rubber | Rubber |
| Outsole | KEEN.Polar Traction | Surface Control rubber | Omni-Grip rubber | Rubber | MS-1 molded rubber |
| Company Claimed Cold Weather Rating | -25 F | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | -40 F |
| Animal Products | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Sizes Available | 7 - 15 | 7 - 14 | 7 - 17 | 7-15 | 5 - 15 |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Revel IV is a comfortable winter boot with good stability, but it falls short in some key metrics compared to other winter hikers.
The Keen Revel IV Polar is comfortable, but not that warm or protective. Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Warmth
The Revel IV Polar uses synthetic insulation to add warmth to the boot. Unfortunately, there are only 200 grams, and our feet didn't stay warm in these boots when the temperature dipped below freezing. Even during our cold-water submersion tests in a local creek, our feet got cold quickly. We don't recommend these boots if your winter involves spending a lot of time outside in the snow or freezing temperatures.
These boots are comfortable for hiking, but the 200g of Thinsulate doesn't provide enough warmth for frigid days.
Weather Protection
The Revel IV Polar is waterproof and didn't let any water in through the seams during our submersion tests. However, the boot and tongue connect only 5.5 inches off the ground, and water begins to seep in around 5" as soon as the water depth reaches the tongue seam. This is lower than other winter hiking boots on the market. If you expect to spend time wading through swamps or stomping through puddles, we wouldn't recommend this boot for keeping your feet dry.
The Revel IV Polar is waterproof up to a submersion depth of 5.5 inches, at which point water starts to seep in through the tongue. Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Comfort and Fit
These boots are comfy! The footbed fit our testers' narrow-to-average feet well, but they also have some room to accommodate wide feet. The lace pattern allows for a wide range of foot widths. The sole has foam in the heel, reducing the stress of repeated impact, and the insulation provides a cozy cocoon for the feet. These are comfortable boots to wear mile after mile, similar to hiking boots.
The Revel IV Polar has a good fit with a lace pattern that accommodates all types of foot widths. Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Traction
The tread pattern on the Revel IV Polar is just ok. The lugs aren't deep, but they are angular and provide a decent amount of negative space. The toe and heel pads have a lot of rubber without much negative space, producing good traction on dry and rocky terrain but not much bite on snow or loose gravel. We wish the traction on these boots were better for use across a wide range of surface conditions.
Traction is decent with 7mm lugs, but they could be taller to prevent slipping.
Quality of Construction
In general, this boot has a decent durability. The seams are mostly double-stitched, and the lace eyelets are metal. However, the boot has a lot of exposed foam around the entire foot, just above the rubber sole. In our experience with footwear that has exposed foam, this material will chip and scratch off easily with normal use when scraped on rocks and branches. Foam is a fragile material but provides good cushioning for comfort, and we are disappointed to see this material on the outside of the boot. Other winter hiking boots have rubber around the entire boot up to the leather upper.
The exposed layer of foam above the rubber sole is a concerning feature. Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Should You Buy the Keen Revel IV Polar?
The Keen Revel IV Polar is a pricey winter hiking boot with a comfortable fit but not much performance in warmth, weather protection, or traction. We think there are better winter hiking boots on the market for a lower price. The Revel IV is expensive compared to other high-performance winter boots on the market, and it doesn't perform as well as some budget-minded competitors. As such, these boots aren't of great value. If they fit your feet perfectly, that might be worth the money; otherwise, we didn't find them worth the price.
What Other Winter Boots Should You Consider?
The Merrell Thermo Chill Mid is a comparable boot that is warmer, more comfortable, and offers better traction compared to the Keen. This lower boot is good for snow that lacks significant depth and offers a good boot for hiking and going the distance. If you think your trek will include deeper snow or colder weather, we think the The North Face Chilkat V 400 is ideal with even greater warmth and weather protection with better traction and durability.
—Jeff Dobronyi, Travis Reddinger
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