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Friday Favorite: Keen Footwear

October 29th, 2010

When trying to decide what to write about for my Friday Favorites today I looked down and noticed what shoes I was wearing and knew. I had to write about my LOVE for Keen Footwear.

I have 3 pairs of Keens that I’ve acquired over the last couple years and will be replacing a few of my other shoes with Keens when they wear out. I’ve been looking for a pair to replace my gardening shoes (remember those), but I have yet to find a pair.

One of the reasons I love Keens is because of the roomy toe box. I have wider feet, so these shoes are super comfortable and I have no toe squeezing as I have with most other shoes. I also love the way the toe box is protected with rubber, this really helps the shoes look better longer and helps protect your toes, especially in the sandals & flip flops.

Keens are pricey, but they’re worth every penny. They last forever, so they end up being cheaper in the long run than less expensive shoes. The comfort factor is huge as well, my Keens are the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever owned, all three pairs.

I’m a barefoot or free foot person, so sandals and flip flops are my shoes of choice. I’ve found myself lately on our chilly evening walks wearing some wool socks with my sandals so I can continue wearing them as long as possible. Unfortunately I don’t have a pair of Keens to give away today, but I do have the winners from last week’s Friday Favorites giveaway of Al’s Beanery Coffee. Our winners are: Kat from Food, Literature, Philosophy and Susan. If you don’t get my e-mail contact me through the contact button in my sidebar.

What kind of shoes do you prefer, sandals, tennis shoes, no shoes? Do you have a favorite brand of footwear or do you just wear whatever?

25 Comments to “Friday Favorite: Keen Footwear”
  1. […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by mark mile, Susy Morris. Susy Morris said: Friday Favorite: Keen Footwear http://goo.gl/fb/Pl9nt #aboutme #miscellaneous #fridayfavorite #shoes […]

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  2. Free Al's Beanery Coffee | Chiot's Run on October 29, 2010 at 7:30 am

    […] disappointed), you can through his website, his prices are great for organic fair trade coffee! **WINNER chosen – Kat from Food, Literature, Philosophy and Susan. If you don’t get my e-mail contact me […]

    Reply to Free Al’s Beanery Coffee | Chiot’s Run's comment

  3. Kaytee on October 29, 2010 at 8:09 am

    I knew some people that owned Keen’s and loved them as well. I’d love to get a pair, I just need to save up my pennys!

    Reply to Kaytee's comment

  4. Sarah on October 29, 2010 at 8:45 am

    Love Keens. I’m not the biggest fan of their sandals (for aesthetic reasons), but I have a pair of their regular sneakers that are fantastic, and a pair of some light hiking boots that are the most comfortable hiking shoes I’ve ever worn. For sandals my go-to brand is Chaco, though I’m bummed they aren’t made in the US anymore…

    Reply to Sarah's comment

    • Susy on October 29, 2010 at 9:07 am

      Isn’t that the worst when you find out something isn’t made in the US any more. I had a pair of Chacos but they did not fit my feet well and I ended up giving them to a friend who loves them. I like Tevas as well and had a pair of those that I wore for 8 years.

      Reply to Susy's comment

  5. amy on October 29, 2010 at 8:59 am

    I love the Keens…..I have a couple pair of walking shoes and hiking boots…..You cannot wear them out! My favorite shoes are Dansko’s maryjanes and clogs…..My feet feel wonderful in them…..

    Reply to amy's comment

  6. Daniele on October 29, 2010 at 9:00 am

    I love Keen’s! I wore them when I hiked over 1,000 and when I had a problem with one Keen sent me a new pair free of charge. Not only are the shoes great, but the company is awesome too. We have Keen sandals and hiking boots and we love them both. We are a family of Keen wearers and probably will always be!

    Reply to Daniele's comment

  7. LB on October 29, 2010 at 9:30 am

    For tennis shoes, Asics seem to fit me the best, and for sandals, I love my Chacos. I held onto a pair of Tevas from undergrad for years, but I’d worn them in too many lakes and rivers and I couldn’t get them completely clean so they were starting to smell like a swamp. The Chacos are less porous, so I can wear them anywhere and they are holding up great- and don’t smell. I’d definitely recommend Chacos.

    Reply to LB's comment

  8. Sincerely, Emily on October 29, 2010 at 9:30 am

    I also have been struggling to buy a pair of good outside garden shoes. My biggest issue is support. The Keen website says they have good support but I would rather hear it from a person that wears them. I know you said they are the most comfortable shoes you have ever worn, but can you also say they have great support. It is worth the investment if they do (for me). Thanks! Sincerely, Emily

    Reply to Sincerely, Emily's comment

    • Susy on October 29, 2010 at 9:42 am

      I find that for me they have great support, at least for me (although I seem to have mountain goat feet that can take pretty much anything). I find even their flip flops to be more comfortable than sneakers. I often wear the flip flops when I’m going to be walking all day long and my feet are not tired or hurting at night. Mr Chiots has tender feet and he finds his Keen sandals to be very comfortable as well, and he’s not one to go without shoes.

      Reply to Susy's comment

  9. Kelly on October 29, 2010 at 9:37 am

    I’m a fan of Land’s End Moc’s as my shoe of choice. Mostly anything I can slip on, but like you I have wider feet so the larger toe box on the LE Moc’s is perfect for me and they’re a great all-year shoe.

    Reply to Kelly's comment

  10. Mrs. Mac on October 29, 2010 at 10:21 am

    I only wear Born or Dansko closed back leather clogs .. I feel naked without them ;)

    Reply to Mrs. Mac's comment

    • Susy on October 29, 2010 at 10:27 am

      I too love Born, although they’re a bit narrow for my feet sometimes. My shoes I wear for filming are Borns.

      Reply to Susy's comment

  11. Susan on October 29, 2010 at 12:32 pm

    I love Keene’s – I have a pair of their sandals that I wear constantly – with wool socks until snow falls! I am planning/saving for another pair next year. And I am SO excited about winning! I have sent you my particulars ~~ thanks!

    Reply to Susan's comment

  12. amy manning on October 29, 2010 at 12:41 pm

    My feet tend to hurt if I don’t wear Danskos. But I definitely prefer flip flops in the summer.

    Reply to amy manning's comment

  13. MAYBELLINE on October 29, 2010 at 5:42 pm

    Birkenstocks and Crocs for me. I’m going to give Keen’s a try though.

    Reply to MAYBELLINE's comment

  14. Beegirl on October 30, 2010 at 6:32 am

    I have the same red shoes (great for kayaking). Found them at the REI clearance last year.. snagged a pair of Keen winter boots too that are fab too. Have to say though.. I do love my Teva’s for around the house. I think it’s because they are a bit lighter? Dansko’s for work.. But Merrell’s are my fave shoe. Just fit my foot good and comfy!!

    Reply to Beegirl's comment

    • Susy on October 30, 2010 at 6:45 am

      I too snagged my sandals at my local outfitter on clearance. I almost bought a pair of Keen winter boots when were up in Maine, they were a great price on clearance, but I really want a pair of their boiled wool shoes instead.

      Reply to Susy's comment

  15. Lee on October 30, 2010 at 11:48 am

    I don’t like to wear shoes either so I’m either barefoot or wearing some sandals or flip flops. Whenever I have to wear shoes then I go for Mephisto shoes. They are very comfortable compared to other shoes.

    Reply to Lee's comment

  16. Kim on October 30, 2010 at 7:37 pm

    You need new gardening shoes? You’ve gotta get some Sloggers! They wash off great, dry fast and the lining can slip out to wash too. My husband and I keep our outside the back door 24/7 to slip out to feed the animals or work in the garden.

    Reply to Kim's comment

  17. Brittany on October 31, 2010 at 2:39 pm

    I super love Keens! My mom gave me a great pair this past X-mas. They’re so comfortable and last forever. I need the wide toe box, too.

    Reply to Brittany's comment

  18. Corrie on October 31, 2010 at 7:30 pm

    I wanted to mention that you can often find great deals on Keens and other shoes at Sierra Trading Post.

    Reply to Corrie's comment

  19. Richard Kolkovich on November 2, 2010 at 2:57 pm

    I’ve been looking around for a hiking boot that’s not a boot (normal height ankle, (casual) brown leather, basic). Thanks for turning me onto Keen! I just ordered a pair of Alkis w/ laces (after trying another model at a local shop, of course). They felt great, and I can’t wait to break these in. I’ll definitely look at Keen for sandals, too, when my current Tevas give out (though I’m sure that will be awhile yet!)

    Reply to Richard Kolkovich's comment

    • Susy on November 2, 2010 at 4:26 pm

      Great, I think you’ll love them! I had a pair of Tevas that lasted for 8 years (and I hiked many miles in them along with wearing them every day that was above 20 degrees).

      Reply to Susy's comment

  20. Happy Feet and Melonade | Chiot's Run on April 11, 2011 at 4:46 am

    […] barefoot in the house and wear sandals outside. My sandals are always Keens if you remember from my Friday Favorite Post about them. My feet are just so much happier in sandals or flip flops – so they were very happy […]

    Reply to Happy Feet and Melonade | Chiot’s Run's comment

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This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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