Keen Kids Shoes Review

[Gifted shoes in exchange for a review]

I am always on the lookout for shoes that are both comfortable and supportive for the kids, and at this time of year being breathable is a big bonus. The kids have been putting a pair of Keen shoes through their paces for a couple of weeks now and both really like them! Athena actually wore them to school last week as it was ‘sports week’ so they were allowed to wear sports clothes and she picked these to wear over her trainers or plimsolls as they’re more comfortable.

 

They’re like a trainer/sandal hybrid and I am really impressed with them! Athena has been wearing the Moxie Sandals, picked predominantly for the glittery soles, but also because they’re in a lovely lilac colour that will go with everything.

Arlo chose the Seacamp II style, which are very similar to Athena’s but designed to be worn in water as well as on land. Both styles have moulded insoles to support the arch and growing feet in the right positions. He has really wide feet (an H fitting) so I was worried that they would be too narrow or that they would pinch but due to the clever elastic toggle you can make the shoes as snug or as loose as is comfortable – and the kids can do this themselves!

They are perfect for active little kids who are on the go constantly, there’s no tripping, worrying they’ll fall off, no tricky buckles or tough laces… they pull on easily and adjust quickly with the velcro strap and toggle.

The features that make these shoes so versatile are:

• Flexible rubber sole for climbing, running and clambering.
• Air flow design that lets air circulate but doesn’t let little stones in – this was a godsend on our many beach trips on holiday!
• Closed toe – so no snubbed toes and no scuff marks that you get with open toed sandals. It also means they are school-uniform-policy friendly (for us anyway!)
• Easily adjustable
• Machine washable
• Lots of colours available in all styles.

Searching for the right shoes is easy with a well designed Keen footwear website, you can define by size, colour, activity and type of fastening.

My only quibble is that they don’t do all-black styles that I could buy as school shoes – because the more enclosed styles would be perfect with their flexible soles and rubber toe caps! There is a junior range starting at size 13 that has a lovely pair of black mary-jane style shoes that would be great for Athena to use as school shoes once she is a size 13 – she’s currently a 12 so not long to go!