Keen Sandals

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Does anyone own Keen sandals? Ae they worth the price tag?

[Tiny]

I've never had Keen sandals - but I have worn the Land Ends (or maybe they were LLBeans) sandals that looked a whole lot like the Keen ones and would give the (LE or LLBs) a high rating. I paid about $50 no shipping for them. Wore them out I wore them so much.

When I didn't find them this year (I think they are Trekkers) I bought a pair of TEVA sandal/shoes that I like alot. Think I paid $65 for them on sale at some store down in Florida... I'm liking the TEVAs so far - they are sturdy, comfortable (don't make my knees hurt and I haven't gotten any blisters from them), and don't look too much like old lady sandals trying to be 'hiking shoes'   I'm in a mostly urban setting - so like them for parks/the urban beach scene. I'm not climbing mountains or hiking where I have to bring out everything I take in...    but I am wearing them for the day...

So, having tried a bunch of similiar styles to the Keen ones... I'd suspect they'd be OK, but you might be able to find something similiar for allittle less...

If you need the prestige that comes from wearing that particular brand - and have the cash I'd say go for it. If you are just looking for the comfort or utility of sandals in that style - I'd probably shop around... there's lots of good choices out there.

[Tiny]

I had LL bean Explore sandals...and this years model seems the same as the past...
I also had Lands End ones but the 'trekkers' for this year are kinda wussy and 'for show'... compared to previous years.   

[steph08]

My brother and SIL wear Keen sandals all the time. They really like them. They even wore them when we went to Disney and were walking many miles each day.

[naturallyfrugal]

I have never worn them, but I have been told they hold foot odor really bad. My dad has a pair and really likes them and he has back/hip issues so comfortable shoes are a must for him. 

[Deleted]

I don't have these but have owned several pairs of Tevas and love them.

[mmhmm]

I wore Keen's exclusively when I worked in the hospital.  I didn't wear the sandals there, but I do have a couple of pair I love.  They're great shoes, IMO.

[thyme4change]

My son just got a pair.  I can't tell you if they hold up, because he has only worn them for a sum total of 9 hours, 2 of which were in the car.  

[Deleted]

DS has keens. He likes his crocs much better. He's four though.

[dividend]

Yes.  Absolutely.  I have the had these for years (I honestly think maybe 8 years?).  I have worn them camping, white water rafting, day-hiking in Hawaiian rain forests and Rocky Mountain National Park, bicycling 60 miles a day for a week at a time, to spin class twice a week for over a year - they're amazing.  They're great in the summers, and in the winter I put the Keen wool socks under them as long as it's not snowing/wet.  If I could only have one pair of shoes, it would be these (from a functional perspective - they're kind of clunky looking).  I will not hesitate to replace them if something happens to them.  Although I can't imagine I'll have to any time soon - they're still in great condition, besides looking a little faded.  

In short, yes, these are the most worth-the-price shoe I have ever owned.

[genericname]

I have had a pair for a couple of years. I bought them in order to go white-water rafting, and they worked great for that purpose. Since then, I wear them a lot when I am going to be out walking for long distances. But - they do get rocks/gravel in them when walking on gravel roads, trails, and such.

[milee]

Chloe, what are you planning to use them for?  I like different brands best for different activities.

For instance, I think the Keens are really durable and do well for wet hiking, rafting, etc., but are very heavy, a little inflexible and not the most comfy of the tough shoes.  The Tevas are more cushioned, flexible and comfy for general hiking, but aren't quite as durable.  Neither Keens or Tevas are as good at sticking to a wet boat as dinghy boots, Sperrys or Vibram 5 finger water shoes.  

One of my best friends wears Keens a lot and we call the Keens her "giant Lesbian boots."  

[Deleted]

I love mine. 

[mmhmm]

So much depends, I think, on what you're going to use the shoes for, and what kind of shoe is best for your individual foot.  I like a deep toe-bed, so Keens are perfect for me.  In sandals, however, that's not really important.

[Deleted]

LOVE.THEM!

Best story I can tell you is hiking a 16 mile RT from Havasupai Falls campground to the entrance to the Grand Canyon and back through a combination of river and trail. They are an older version of the H2 style Dividend shows. I think mine are about 10 years old. They look like crap now because I let them be my deck staining shoes. I have another pair of Keens which are basically leather fisherman shoes. They are pretty comfortable but not as comfortable as the cloth ones.

If you are an REI member wait for their 20% coupon and it won't be so painful.

I scored back in May when the H2s were on sale for $70 and bought a pair for DH. He loves them.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Love 'em too!

i got mine at sierratradingpost.com for about half off.  I have the leather ones, and since they are toe in sandals, I can wear them into the lab.

[Deleted]

I got mine on amazon, off season so to speak... They were on sale but not sure how much...

[milee]

Jul 1, 2013 13:38:52 GMT -5 naturallyfrugal said:

I have never worn them, but I have been told they hold foot odor really bad.

Tell whoever told you that that since they're water shoes, they can actually you know - wash them.  Don't be afraid - put 'em in the washing machine.  Keeps them from stinking.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Thanks everyone. 

We live on the coast, so it's always a little wet here, but never very cold. We hike, bike, and raft in addition to beach combing. We're low level rafters, much more floaters. 

Ive gotten far enough into my 30s that my feet, legs, and back will hurt at the end of a day on my feet. 

I do like the toe on the Keens and that's what's drawing me a bit more to them. 

[cael]

I'm a jerk and was able to get a clearance kids-sized pair on sale for $30 in February for a trip I was taking I love them so far, was on my feet and walking a lot in them in El Salvador and wasn't uncomfortable at all. I also have a pair of Keens hiking boots and I swear by them... I also lucked out on the boots and got them for $12 at an REI garage sale, had been returned because they "leaked". I've hiked in downpours and mud in them, no leaking yet. Will definitely continue to buy Keens footwear.

[naturallyfrugal]

Jul 1, 2013 19:24:53 GMT -5 milee said:

Jul 1, 2013 13:38:52 GMT -5 naturallyfrugal said:

I have never worn them, but I have been told they hold foot odor really bad.

Tell whoever told you that that since they're water shoes, they can actually you know - wash them.  Don't be afraid - put 'em in the washing machine.  Keeps them from stinking.

I believe they did wash them, but the smell just wouldn't come out.  I have a pair of Merrill's that can get a bit stinky despite being washed and I don't have a foot odor problem. I have a sensitive sense of smell, so I would know if I have stinky feet.  

[Deleted]

I love my Merrill's too.

[Formerly SK]

Jul 1, 2013 15:31:49 GMT -5 dividend said:

Yes.  Absolutely.  I have the had these for years (I honestly think maybe 8 years?).  I have worn them camping, white water rafting, day-hiking in Hawaiian rain forests and Rocky Mountain National Park, bicycling 60 miles a day for a week at a time, to spin class twice a week for over a year - they're amazing.  They're great in the summers, and in the winter I put the Keen wool socks under them as long as it's not snowing/wet.  If I could only have one pair of shoes, it would be these (from a functional perspective - they're kind of clunky looking).  I will not hesitate to replace them if something happens to them.  Although I can't imagine I'll have to any time soon - they're still in great condition, besides looking a little faded.  

In short, yes, these are the most worth-the-price shoe I have ever owned.

How funny, I just bought those Keens this weekend!  They fit like a glove. 

[mmhmm]

Jul 1, 2013 13:38:52 GMT -5 naturallyfrugal said:

I have never worn them, but I have been told they hold foot odor really bad. My dad has a pair and really likes them and he has back/hip issues so comfortable shoes are a must for him. 

I never found this to be true, and I wore them for 12-hour shifts, three days in a row, running my rear end off all darned night!  If they were going to stink, they had every right to do so at that point!

[mmhmm]

Jul 1, 2013 22:19:12 GMT -5 oped said:

I love my Merrill's too.

I like Merrills, as well, oped; however, Keens have a deeper toe-bed, so were more comfortable for me.

[Deleted]

I buy them for the GKids annually.  I liked them better when they were leather.  At least they seemed more worth the price when leather.  I don't think nylon webbing should be as costly!  The footbed on the newer ones does seem to hold smell more (they do a lot of river wading).  So far vinegar wash seems to get them back under control.

Got the grown girls Keens a couple of years ago & they still look like new.  One of them walked about 1000 miles around Mexico, so they seem to hold up well.  We are exploring other brands of cushy shoes now since it does seem to make such a difference.