KEEN

Austin

Men's

I have owned 4 pairs of Keen Austins over the past 6-7 years. I walk about 3 miles per workday on concrete/pavement. I have also used them as my everyday/runaround shoes. My first 3 pairs of Austins were amazing: 1) Great arch support that lasted roughly 1.5 years each pair. 2) Wide toe box is perfect for my feet. 3) Sturdy construction for the type of abuse I dish out due to my gate. 4) Look and feel good for a long time. Unfortunately, my latest (4th) pair have fallen short on the overall quality I have come to expect from Keen. I have owned them for roughly 10 months and this is what I have experienced: 1) 5 months into usage they started to squeak. This is exceptionally annoying and distracting. I can live with squeak because I am a function guy ... but I don't like it. 2) The arch support has fallen dramatically in this pair. I feel as though my feet are being ripped apart. I still own pairs 2 and 3 for yard work and they are more comfortable than pair 4. 3) I have also noticed the stitching is giving way much quicker than the other pairs. I thought that maybe since I have owned 3 other pairs of the Austins that maybe it was a fluke. It isn't. I discovered my father-in-law has a pair of Austins and has experienced all 3 issues I am reporting. I suspect they have made changes to their manufacturing/quality control practices and the end result is a lower quality shoe. I am very disappointed. I also have a pair of Keen activity sandals that are roughly 6 years old. I have been a loyal Keen customer. With my latest experience, I was hesitant to give Keen my business again and moved to another manufacturer and have been very pleased with the decision. My father-in-law is looking to do the same. I have written them about my experience and have yet to hear back... I sincerely hope they look at what detrimental changes have been made with this product and correct them.

There is something wrong with me. I've never been into clothes or shoes. I usually bought my shoes at JL Coombs in Freeport from the discount rack. Blemished, seconds, whatever. Had a great pair of LL Bean shoes that I resoled and re-soled for a decade. Then my fiancee suggested I get a pair of these hideous looking "Keens". I bought the Austins, black, size 10.5 One year later: I own 5 pairs...I'm turning into the Imelda Marcos of Keens, and I'm a straight guy. I just ordered another pair of sandals, and when the soles started showing wear on my original Austins and they couldn't re-sole them, Keen said I could get another pair. I've never worn anything on my feet so comfortable. I wake up in the morning and I can't wait to put on a pair. How is that for an endorsement?

These were great shoes for everyday use. Two things changed. They stopped stitching the sole to the shoe (starting to use an inferior glue) and the rubber used for the sole wares out in under 6 months. Not worth the money.

Great shoes for people with wide feet - wide through the mid-sole, very roomy toe-box and adequate arch support. For people with abnormally high arches you may want to undo the laces from the top-most set of eyelets for more freedom in movement. I was also very surprised by the quality of the leather upper of this shoe. Very supple! Wears well with most casual pants (jeans, cargos, cords, etc). Overall a great casual shoe!