I have to start this off by admitting I am entirely biased with this article. I am in love with Keen shoes and I wouldn’t have it any other way. They are amazingly comfortable, incredibly durable, as rugged as it gets, and very well designed. My Keens have never let me down, and I am incredibly biased against the other “so called” hybrid shoes and sandals.

A hard core traveler and globetrotter is only as good as his or her shoes. They carry you where you want to go, and they go places and do things that most items of clothing would rather not avoid. I have taken my Keen shoes through the jungles and rivers of Guyana, across the beaches of Playa Del Carmen, and to the streets of New York City, and never once have the let me down. Six months in Guyana takes a toll on almost anything personal item you own. Shoes all the more so!

I started out with a pair of Teva sandals that I spent a fortune on and that promised to be everything you could want in a hiking sandal. Unfortunately I was sorely disappointed when within a couple months the literally fell apart. Thankfully a good friend gave me a pair of her Keen’s and I’ve been in love ever since. Not only did they hold up under extreme conditions, they outperformed any other shoe out there. I firmly believe every globe trotter should own and proudly sport a pair.

Now I left this particular pair of sandals in Guyana with a dear family who couldn’t even afford to buy shoes for all their kids. But since then the company has released a full lineup of shoes that all look amazing for any situation you could find yourself in!

The Keen Footware company itself opened its doors in 2003 and offered hybrid performance shoes that had both style and quality. Turns out those two qualities are NOT mutually exclusive. Just rare! Since then they have expanded their product lineup to more casual and sports shoes, but they have stayed true to their look and standards.

All of their shoes are extremely comfortable. They have things like ergonomical enhanced broken-in metatomical lasts and tectured footbeds for support and a foot massage. I don’t know what exactly that means, but one thing I do know is that they are comfy! The coolest part is that since each and every shoe is so rugged and stylish, you can wear them on the trail or in the bars of Manhattan and nobody will be the wiser!

If my experience in Guyana proves anything, Keen footware can take all the punishment you can dish out. They would be great for kids who tend to be rather... rough on their personal effects. Even if you have a wide foot (like me) and finding shoes that fit right is a nightmare, you can always find a Keen that will fit thanks to their bungee cord lacing that will fit even the fattest of feet.

Keen sandals are machine washable and are treated with a special Aegis Microbe Shield which helps to keep odor down and prevents them from staining and deteriorating as fast. The leather uppers are not only waterproof, but a lot of work has gone into making sure they will not crack, shrink, or stretch out when you wash them. Of course you still have to take care of them so they can take care of you. Some of the shoes are even vegan and environmentally friendly, so you can wear them guilt free

So in conclusion, if you can’t find a keen shoe that works for you, you aren’t looking hard enough. These little guys can meet any challenge you throw at them and with all the styles you have to choose from your biggest problem will probably be just choosing one! Give them a shot, I promise you will fall in love!

There are many different styles of the Keen Hybrid Shoes, here are the four main styles and a small selection of our favorite shoes from each category.

This style ranges from athletic shoes to heavy duty hiking sandals. Trailhead shoes are super versatile since they look good on the streets or off the beaten path. They are lightweight and heavy duty to handle a good deal of abuse, and they are super comfortable, and give lots of support so you don’t feel like taking them off half way through and massaging your poor feet. Their sandals can handle salt water like a breeze and heavy duty trekking through wet conditions.

Here's a few Trailhead shoes we really like:

The Blvd shoes look sexy and get you from point a to point b in style. You have a very versatile shoe here that is both casual and stylish while also rugged and urban. You can get these guys in a ton of different styles from heavy duty boots like Timberlands to lace up shoes and even clogs.

Take a look at these sexy styles:

Waterfront shoes are where it all started. Originally intended for sailing and beaches, these shoes are made for the waterman lifestyle. If you plan on walking on the beaches of Mexico or gliding across the high seas on a sailboat, don’t leave these shoes at home. Waterproof, slip resistant, protective, and treated to prevent foot odor and deterioration you really can’t go wrong with a pair of these sandals! You can find them in flip flop form or more enclosed sandal form.

Don't get caught in a wet situation without one of these:

These guys are good enough for any stylish cafe, chic bar, or patrolling the streets of Paris with confidence. Waterproof uppers, comfortable food beds and low profile outsoles make these guys the natural choice for the stylish globe trotter.

Be a discerning traveler with these guys: