Are Keen Sandals Good for Hiking? [Are They Really Good For Hike?]

Whoever thought to create hiking sandals deserves a medal. Hiking sandals are a godsend – they are so light and comfortable that you will love hiking in them. What’s more, they also protect your feet while not causing them to sweat and feel uncomfortable. No thick socks or tight boots are needed if you have a pair of hiking sandals!

Still, you will need to research the best hiking sandals for you. Since there are a lot of great companies that make these sandals nowadays, you will have quite a lot of models to choose from. I recommend looking into the Keen company as they have some of the greatest but cheap hiking sandals.

If you want to learn more about these sandals, you have come to the right place. I will tell you everything you need to know about them before buying a pair. So, stick around to learn more about their characteristics, pros, and cons. Let’s get right into the guide!

Is Keen a Good Brand?

Keep is an excellent brand with somewhat of a long tradition. It began as a family-owned business that has grown into a famous brand being sold all over the US. You can find their shoes in most stores for outdoor gear. I should also add that you can find quite a lot of quality models for half the price of the competitor’s models.

If you visit the company’s website, you will find that they have quite a few categories for you to explore. There are shoes for women, men, and children. You will find them divided into several categories. You can look into hiking shoes, hiking boots, hiking sandals, casual shoes, etc. You can also look into the many accessories they offer, which can come in handy during your outdoor trips.

All in all, Keen is a brand that deserves your attention. If you are on the market for any type of hiking shoe, you can visit their stores or website to look for the model you like best. You can rest assured that you will get the quality, comfort, support, and protection that the company advertises on its website. The way to describe Keen’s shoes is that they are nothing short of amazing!

Keen Sandals for Hiking? Yes or No?

If you ask me whether Keen sandals are appropriate for hiking, I would say YES! They are an excellent choice, and I recommend them to everyone looking to hike during hot weather. Instead of dealing with heavy shoes and sweaty feet, you will be comfortable and protected with the Keen sandals.

To be honest, hiking sandals are the perfect alternative to hiking shoes and boots. Yes, there are a few things to look out for, but you can always read guides like this and be prepared when you need to go hike some trail.

So, what are the things to look out for? With Keen and all other types of hiking sandals, the fit is essential. You will find people saying that you can go half or one size large on your hiking boots or shoes, but the same does not apply to hiking sandals. You need to have a pair that will fit your foot to perfection.

Before you hit the stores, make sure that you measure your feet at home. Check their exact length and width. Don’t be surprised if you find that they are of different sizes or widths – that is normal, but the difference should not be significant. As you measure them, make sure to write down the measurements and take them to the store.

If you are going to a specialized store for outdoor gear, you can also ask the employees to help you measure your feet. This will help you determine the best size sandals for your foot. Look both into the sandals with closed and open-toe boxes. Both are great options, with the former being better for more demanding trails.

Once you find the model, you like best and the size that fits you best, do not be afraid to invest in it. It will be worth it, especially if you often go hiking in the summer. After getting the sandals, you might even go on hikes more often. The sandals will make you so comfortable that you will never have to deal with tired feet again!

What Are Keen Sandals Good For?

Let’s be honest, there are many things that Keen sandals are great for. The most important thing of all is that they are great for hiking. To help you learn more about this great hiking sandal, I will provide you with a list of its best characteristics of these sandals. Let’s get right into it:

They are great for summer hikes – One of the best overall hiking sandals is the Keen sandal. It is created using only the best materials; no harmful materials are used in the making. Most models can be great for regular hikers and trail runners, so you can also get them if you want to run hiking trails.

They offer good support – foot protection and support after very important. Since most Keen outdoor sandals have material up to the ankle, they can offer excellent ankle support and arch support. That is always important, especially if you tend to hike more rocky trails.

They are light – Keen creates some of the best lightweight hiking sandals. You will never feel any pain when wearing these sandals. They are so lightweight that you will feel like walking on clouds. Some compare them to the Chaco Z Cloud, but I consider the Keen sandals a better option.

They can dry fast – who wants to have wet feet during hikes? If your answer is no, then the Keen hiking sandal is perfect for you. Since all materials are such that they dry fast, your sandals will be dry in minutes even if you walk into a stream or some water. It is incredible how fast they can dry and become exactly like brand new!

Are Keen Sandals Waterproof?

They might not be the best sandals for waterproofing, but the Keen sandals can definitely stand their ground. Their waterproofing is good enough to ensure that your feet will not stay in wet sandals all day long.

This is all thanks to the fantastic drainage system and the siped sole. The drainage system ensures that all extra water will have a clear path to follow and get out of the shoe. The siped sole serves as insurance that you will have excellent traction.

You will need good traction if you plan on wearing the sandals in some water. You do not want to slip around and fall, especially if you have a smartphone in your hand or an expensive camera. Instead of risking it, get shoes with good traction and stay safe when walking on all types of terrain.

I should also mention that some hikers choose to wear socks when wearing the Keen sandals. If you are wearing socks for some reason, make sure that you do not go into the water with them. While the sandals can dry fast, the same cannot be said for most socks. So, either take them off or choose an alternative route that does not involve water.

What Makes Keen Shoes So Special?

As mentioned so far, Keen sandals have a lot of excellent characteristics. I could say the same for all their shoes, not putting aside the sandals as a special group. While the previous pros referred to sandals, these will refer to all types of shoes this company creates. Besides the pros, I will mention the most notable cons, so stay tuned for that as well!

Pros

Here are the most notable pros:

Wide models - No one does the hiking shoe for wide feet like Keen. They have wide shoes as well as shoes with wide-toe boxes. If you want to get some wide open-toe hiking sandals, you can find a few pairs on the company’s website. If you want more toe protection, go with the wide closed-toe sandals.

Great comfort and protection - You can rest assured all Keen shoes will give you great arch support and ankle support. Every model of their shoes comes with these characteristics. You can even get a hiking shoe suitable for flat feet. Not all shoes provide comfort and protection for flat feet, but Keens sure do!

Great for everyday hiking - If you tend to go on short hikes, are that not that demanding, you can take your Keen hiking boots, shoes, or running shoes. These are all great options for day hikes. Still, you should be aware that separate hiking boots are suitable for longer, more demanding trips. Those demand an investment, while you also have to wear them with quality hiking socks.

Provide support - Whether you have narrow feet or wide feet, shoes from this company will always provide you with the needed support. All models are designed with the utmost care and attention to detail. This is why Keen’s shoes are so popular and beloved by beginner and experienced hikers.

Cons

As with everything in life, there can be space for improvement. The same goes for Keen and their amazing shoes. After all, they are amazing, but you can always argue that they can be made better. So, let's see what are the things the company needs to look into:

Average quality - Most models this company offers come at lower prices when compared to competitors. If you are willing to pay the extra bucks, you might be able to find shoes that have better quality. With Keen, you will have to rely on shoes with average quality at best. I urge the company to do its best to improve their shoes or create new models with better quality.

Mediocre waterproofing - I mentioned before that these shoes have good waterproofing, but it is by no means the best. You will be able to rely on hiking boots and shoes to keep your feet dry, but the running shoes will not do the same. Especially those that have netting on the front will absorb the water and keep your feet moist until you take the shoes off.

Not for advanced hiking trails - Most of the hiking boots from this company can do well on advanced hiking trails. The same cannot be said for the rest of their shoes. They are more suitable for day hikes on shorter, less demanding trails. So, keep that in mind the next time you prepare for a hiking trail.

Where Are Keen Hiking Shoes Made?

Keen hiking shoes are made in the USA – to be specific, in Portland, Oregon. Instead of assembling their shoes overseas, this company decided to create one of the most modern American factories. They use the factory to make all types of shoes mentioned in this guide. So, you can get some of the best hiking sandals without relying on overseas shipping!

The company originated from Portland and is still primarily focused in Portland, despite being quite successful for a couple of decades. That is a good thing since there are a lot of hikers who want to support local American brands. If you are one of those people, Keen can be the perfect company for you to invest in.

Wrap-Up

A few companies are as good as Keen when it comes to hiking footwear. Keen has you covered whether you are on the market for open-toe sandals, closed-toe sandals, trail running shoes, hiking boots, or any other type of shoe. You will get sandals suitable for hiking and everyday wear for half the price of competitor shoes like Teva sandals or Chaco sandals.

So, do not hesitate to get a pair of Keens. If you have ever worn sandals from this brand, please let me know your experience. Share your stories in the comments, and I will read them as soon as possible!