Keen Cheyenne Clog--Beet Red--Review

FlashBack Friday

In 2009, Keen offered us a slipper-shoe-clog. I call them my “shlogs”. In my opinion, they are the melting pot of good but borrowed ideas from great slipper-clog-shoe brands like Halfinger and Birkenstock. Keen tapped the Haflinger look with a woolen exterior and nodded to Birkenstock with insoles made with cork. Keen added their signature toe bumper, some microfleece lining and a non-marking—non-skid outsole and voila!!!.....The Cheyenne Slipper Clog came to be.

I was drawn to the Beet Red color and soft looking texture and was surprised to discover this cozy little clog was made by Keen. Whenever anyone asks me about them they are also surprised that they are Keens. I tried them on and immediately loved the feel of the microfleece lining on top of my foot and the smooth lining of the insole on the bottom—the perfect marriage of shoe to slipper via an easy-on, easy-off clog design. The outsoles have great traction and they are NON-marking....I tested this out on some beautiful blonde bamboo flooring. They are noticeably quieter on hard surfaces than other footwear with such hearty soles, which is great when you want to sneak up on the family pet or loved one:)

I will say that my Cheyenne's did start falling apart a little sooner than I thought they would given that I mostly wore them as slippers in and around my home. Sure, I ran out to the mailbox every now and then but the thin layer of wool started pulling back from the toe bumper and heel cup mighty quick. In my recent research, I discovered many glowing reviews of these clogs that each included a short bit on disappointing durability but their comfort seems to woo everyone's feet into overall positive reviews. I admit that I still love and wear my pair even though they are falling apart. I would say that Keen has made many more durable styles but these little numbers are still my favorite.

Keen no longer makes this model but they have added some new “shlog” models that may entice you to head to your local Keen dealer. If you happen to have a foot smaller than size 7 you can still find the Cheyenne and enjoy closeout pricing at endless.com, onlineshoes.com and amazon.com which may offset your valid durability concerns.

Fitting Notes:

U.S. whole and half sizing. Many slippers and clogs only come in whole sizes so another advantage the Cheyenne offers is half sizing allowing for a better fit if you often find yourself between sizes in “shlogs”. They seem to run “true-to-size” and the 8 medium fits me just perfectly. They also seem to be a true medium width whereas many of the Keeen styles tend to run wide. The removable footbed allows for the use of custom and OTC orthoses and that is a rare find in a slipper and is a lifesaver for those suffering from heel pain. 

Still Keen On Keen-Newport H2 Review

Must Have Monday

I am a sucker for the classics and a good story and the Keen brand has both. Their classic sandal, the Newport, was the shoe that put the brand on the map and was the brainchild of Martin Keen. A sandal created to be grippy on slick (boat) surfaces, comfortable all day on all types of terrain and offer toe protection all while being water friendly footwear for your feet. While Martin Keen has moved on to other endeavors (Mion Brand Footwear) the Keen brand remains intact with its' signature toe bumper and an ever growing product offering. I am often wary of shoe brands trying cover too many categories but Keen seems to be good at making many types of footwear and thankfully did not “lose” their Newport sandal. Us diehards love this reliable sandal...shown here in Living Coral/Neutral Gray.

This is truly the “can-do” sandal that can be worn for many activities and if you live in the Great Northwest you can even rock them with some cozy socks—yeah Keen does make socks as well.

Keen also offers a model called the Whisper for gals who want all the foot coverage and toe protection in a “lower profile” or “trimmer” look. I am guessing Keen is expecting great success with this model by the large choice in color-way and great price point. Both sandals have siping for excellent traction and employ the AEGIS Microshield that keeps your sandals from getting too stinky.

 The Keen Newports are a great choice if you have a medium to wide foot but do remember they run at least a half size short (see fitting notes below) while the Whisper runs pretty true.

The good story about Keen is their continued effort to be “green”, socially responsible, and playful. They offer handbags made from recycled materials and established a new Portland, Oregon production facility that aims to reduce transportation emissions as more shoes are made closer to their market and less being shipped from overseas. Keen pays each employee for 36 hours of community volunteer time every year and regularly contributes to many socially positive programs in the greater Portland area. Keen offers many ways for their fans to have fun and stay engaged with their brand. They offer a regular blog, photo contests and a playful campaign aimed at “Bringing Recess Back” for adults encouraging everyone to get outside!

For the love of trying on shoes and best fit, check out Keen's new spring line up at your favorite local Keen dealer.

If you prefer to let your fingers do the shopping check out Keen's at their website keenfootwear.com and at zappos.com.

Fitting Notes:

U.S. Whole and half sizing. In general, Keens tend to run short and wide but of course styles and fit do vary which is why I recommend visiting your local retailer. The Newport H2 definitely runs short so don't panic if you require a larger size. Be sure none of your toes are touching the toe bumper because this bumper is not going to stretch, soften or “mold” to your feet...it's an argument your toes will not win. The Newport H2 has a moderate amount of arch support blended with great cushioning. There is no removable footbed and it would be a bit difficult to wear them with orthotics unless you have very slim orthoses. I have noticed that the Newport models don't often work for folks with Morton's toe—or the second toe is longer than the big toe. The shape of the toe bumper often runs into the second toe in the size that is appropriate to the rest of the foot. The Whipser has a slightly straighter last which may avoid bumping into any toes.

Down To Earth Rhapsody Bat Multi Review

Must Have Mondays

When it comes to picking out totally comfortable shoes you mustn’t ignore Earth Shoes. Inspired by a master yoga instructor, Earth shoes are aim to properly align the spine and offer excellent foot comfort. BUT!!! Just because Earth shoes are comfortable does NOT mean they are right for everyone. They are an absolute case of “it depends”.

What does it depend upon you ask?

The answer to that question is based entirely on my experience with owning and selling Earth shoes and have had tons of customer feedback. There are folks that will tell you that Earth shoes saved their life while others will tell you they can't stand wearing Earth shoes. I have found that from the “foot perspective” Earth shoes have awesome comfort features like fantastic arch support and delicious cushioning but there is that whole “negative heel bit” that throws the curve ball into whether you are likely to sing their praises or hate them. The negative heel is intended to promote improved posture by setting your heels lower than your toes thereby elongating and straightening your spine. This seems to be well and good for folks who have too much curve in their spine but spells disaster for those who do not have enough curve to their spine. Also, if you have a tendency to lock your knees when you stand straight you may find that the Earth shoes make this bad habit worse.

I found that my feet loved my Earth shoes but my spine lacks the optimum amount of curve and my back gave me grief whenever I wore my Earth sandals. Thus, I no longer wear them but gave them to a friend who adores them.,

There are also times when people make the transition into Earth shoes too quickly. It is wise to wear them a little bit at a time to allow your body to adjust as you will be engaging muscles you have likely not been using regularly. I find that the folks who take to the Earth shoes most quickly are those who already practice yoga regularly. These folks have been working their posture muscles thus making the Earth shoe feel “perfectly natural” to them.

As a side note I have had many happy reviews from pregnant gals who love the counter balance of the negative heel and have found relief from lower back pain. My friend Miss V—pictured here, got her Earth sandals during her first pregnancy and just wore them through her third and loves them.

If you happen to suffer from pain at the forefoot and/or have a Morton's Nueroma you may find that the Earth shoes really relieve pressure and pain since there is very little forward pressure. My co-worker, Miss E suffered from the pain of her neuroma often until she began wearing her beloved Earth shoes.

When trying Earth shoes on it is most important to notice how they feel to your back because most of the time they are going to feel good to your feet. Make sure that if you do get a pair--to ease into wearing them regularly by just wearing them a few hours a day at first. Also, I would recommend wearing them around on the carpet at home for a few hours before committing to them.

The current slide model from Earth is called the Rhapsody (also shown in this post) and has a comfy feel and carefree styling that beckons springtime sunshine. Cross your toes for an early spring!

Because of their unique negative heel, I strongly recommend that you try on several styles on at your favorite local shoe store for the best fit, knowledge and service.

If you do not live near an Earth shoe retailer—make sure you only buy them from online resources that have a clear and fair return policy including free shipping like zappos.com, planetshoes.com and onlineshoes.com.

Fitting Notes:

U.S. Sizing. More often then not they are offered in half sizes and fit fairly true though the closed-toe models seem to run a half size short and the sandals run generous in width. Most models do not have removable footbeds and only accommodate the mildest of orthotics. If you have severe foot or back problems it is wise to consult your health practitioner before wearing Earth shoes extensively.

Well Heeled In Audley...

Flashback Friday

I know I keep saying that I am into comfort shoes and then show you yet another pair of high heeled shoes that are only comfortable relative to “other” high heeled shoes. What is it about the heeled silhouette that draws us in even at the demise of our feet?

With this particular pair, it was their whisper of Betty Boop-esque round-toe styling and peau de soie fabric that lends them an understated dressy look that drew me in. Peau de Soie is a medium to heavy, drapeable fabric with a satin weave and delustered finish. This is a traditional fabric for wedding dresses that is also used for bridesmaids gowns, mothers-of-the-bride dresses and footwear. The dull luster is more flattering to most body shapes and sizes than high luster satins. Also, this fabric does not stretch easily which means the fabric will hold its' shape with lots of wear so don't expect your shoes to stretch—buy a big enough size in the first place.

I was not familiar with the Audley brand but at that moment I was in the throws of a shoe craving that did not include rational thinking...other than “gee, I don't have this brand in my collection yet”--a favorite rationalization of mine when wanting to buy shoes.

I have since discovered that Audley is a small shoe producer out of Spain and began their efforts in 1988. Audley no longer makes this particular pair of heels (thus it appears here on Flash Back Friday) but their shoes continue to showcase architectural elements and edgy designs that appeal to the artistic eye. They do consider comfort to some degree with the materials they choose to use but they are first a fashion brand which is why their styles continue to evolve and once a style is sold out—they are GONE. If you are a fashion hound, I do recommend that you check out their line early every season especially if you like unique designs or simply wish to enjoy some shoe-eye-candy. Their recent fall/winter 11-12 collection includes a darling pair of booties called Emily that look quite tasty:)

As always, I urge you to wear heels sparingly and responsibly. Heels are the frosting of what we wear—don't O.D. on the butter cream dahlings!

There are very few brick and mortar shops in the U.S. that carry Audley but you can always buy them directly from their site audleyshoes.com and a myriad of styles can be found through polyvore.com.

Fitting Notes:

 European whole sizing. By fluke I actually got a 38 ½ but it appears that they no longer make half sizes. I have found that their shoes run a touch long but every season brings new lasts that are bound to fit different from previous styles which makes it a bit tricky when trying to buy online. I recommend that you order 2-3 sizes close to your size so that you can be sure you find the best fit and then return what doesn't work. These shoes are not offered in widths nor do they have removable footbeds which makes them a “they work or they don't work” type of shoe. If you have a hard-to-fit foot avoid“ pump styles and opt for shoes with straps or boots. Refer to my European size chart for best size conversions.

UGG Classic Short-Still A Classic

Must Have Monday

Ugg boots have been around since I began working in the shoe industry. In fact, Ugg boots kicked off their sheepskin boot sensation in 1978 bringing a bit of the world down under to the world over. Sheepskin boots have been in production in Australia and New Zealand since the early 30's but it wasn't until '78 that one  Brian Smith “branded” them and brought them to the Southern California beach scene. Legend has it that the name was derived from the word ugly after one manufacturer's wife commented that she thought they were ugly—ironic, considering they have become a fashion must-have. The word ugg-ugh-ug has long been a common term used for sheepskin footwear in Australia and New Zealand and is the more likely story of how the brand came to be called Ugg. “Comfort” does not get paired with the word fashion often enough and I have to give ten toes up to Ugg for making it happen.

The recent holiday season had me in Orange County, CA visiting family and in Las Vegas for the Affiliate Summit conference and Uggs were everywhere! Paired with unapologetically short skirts and sequins to warm leggings plunging into sheepskin softness Uggs glided across the shoe-scape frequently. The re-sole-able Ugg Classic was clearly the signature style that everyone is wearing. The Classic is offered in a multitude of colors and textures to suit most any whim and the holiday season inspired pairs were covered in sequins.

Ugg's true beauty is in the sheepskin valued for its' ability to keep you comfortable no matter what the outside ambient temperature may be...which is why you will see Uggs on summertime sand and wintertime slopes. They really do keep your feet at constant body temperature and are not too warm in the summertime unless you live in climates where temperatures consistently exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The Classic Short model is offered in 16 color ways that include sequin and denim textures. I love the traditional chestnut and sand colors and admit I am a bit taken by them in black sequins.

Whether you are considering a pair of Ugg Classics for practicality or fashion be sure to buy them at your local Ugg Retailer...half the fun is trying them on and getting the best fit. Uggs are also offered at zappos.com and amazon.com

Fitting Notes:

U.S. Whole Sizing. In general, it is recommended that if you are between sizes that you should buy the size down as the fur lining will compact with wear creating more space inside the boot. I recommend using your best judgment here...your toes should not feel crowded and your heels should move up and down a bit when you have the proper fit. They tend to fit medium to wide feet best and are most comfortable worn barefoot so make sure you are not trying them on with heavy socks. One draw back to the Classic model is that the insoles are not removable or replaceable--on the other hand/foot they do have replaceable outsoles. Ugg sheepskin boots don't truly have any arch support but tend to be notably comfortable as knock-about footwear. If you have a foot that requires arch support you may find that you could add a slim ¾ length orthotic to help out or consider wearing your boots for short stints like a quick run to the market or relaxing around the house.