A man standing in front of a garden shop
A man standing in front of a garden shop

KEEN-parison: Which Town-To-Trail Shoes?

Trail or town? We’ll never pick just one.

Our best days are the ones that take us through city streets (hitting the farmer’s market, wandering through antique shops, or joining a bike tour) and out into more remote locales (hiking through the woods, lounging by a swimming hole, or doing some outdoor wine-tasting at a country vineyard). If you’re like us, and love bringing one pair of shoes that can do it all, we can help you find the pair that fits your plan.

Each one of these KEEN designs is the perfect fit for a slightly different brand of town-to-trail adventure. Here’s an overview of our go-to town-to-trail shoes:

Town-to-Trail Shoes Best for warm days Slips on/off Best for travel Year-round versatility
Jasper Sneaker     X X
Howser III Slide   X  
UNEEK Sneaker Sandal X X X
Astoria West Sandal X    

 

Here’s more on what makes each shoe special (and what adventure we’d take them on):

Jasper SneakerThe original outdoor sneaker that brings bold color wherever you go. It has the look of a climbing shoe with the performance of an approach shoe. It's a fun all-arounder, for sure. 

Where we’d wear ‘em: Riding bikes all the way out of the city, then hiking to an overlook to catch the sunset.

Howser III Slide: Howser slip-ons are all about comfort. Like, feels-like-a-bedroom-slipper-but-you-can-wear-these-outside kinda comfort. These cozy kicks make any campsite or cabin feel just like home. They have a fleecy lining that wards off that late night/early morning chill. The sturdy rubber outsole is outdoor-approved and even comes with a toe bumper. Available in men's, women's, and kids'. 

Where we’d wear ‘em: Camping in our SUV, then sitting down for brunch in a nearby mountain town.

KEEN Howser slide

Howser slide for men and women (top) also comes in a men's chukka (bottom).

KEEN Howser chukka

UNEEK Sneaker Sandal: Funky and flexible, our UNEEK sneaker sandal for men and women is made of paracord-like cord that adapts to the curves of your feet. Somewhere between a shoe and a sandal, these packable shoes are always travel-friendly (and easy to shake the sand out of). The rubber outsole is razor-siped (which means it has lots of little slits that squeeze out water, helping to prevent slipping on a wet floor or pier). And they look pretty cute with socks, too.

Where we’d wear ‘em: Driving out to the coast and strolling the beach (then the boardwalk).

Astoria West Sandal: An active wedge sandal made just for women, the Astoria West sandal has a modern, feminine shape with a lifted heel. This lifted-and-cupped heel also adds stability during side-to-side motion and puts the foot in a more athletic and dynamic position (for all those action-packed moments). And the webbing upper is quick-drying, so they can easily weather some splashing around.

Where we’d wear ‘em: Kayaking on the river all day, followed by al fresco dining at a local bistro.

Life’s more fun when you can pack as much adventure as possible into every trip. We hope your KEEN shoes give you the freedom to have the best day ever. 

KEEN Astoria West sandals for women

 

More Stories

FAQ: What Are Barefoot-Inspired Shoes?
FAQ: What Are Barefoot-Inspired Shoes?
KEEN.RUGGED: Twice as Durable as Rubber
KEEN.RUGGED: Twice as Durable as Rubber
1 MIN WATCH
innovation making shoes
A Healthy Dose of Impact in 2023
A Healthy Dose of Impact in 2023
1 MIN WATCH
doing good for product
Why Do Goodyear Welted Boots Last So Long?
Why Do Goodyear Welted Boots Last So Long?
Making the Most Adaptive Shoes for Kids
Making the Most Adaptive Shoes for Kids
4 MIN READ
doing good for people
FAQ: Cemented, Fused, or Welted Boot Construction?
FAQ: Cemented, Fused, or Welted Boot Construction?
Building Trails in the Puget Sound
Building Trails in the Puget Sound
3 MIN READ
doing good for planet
Taking Action to Reduce Our Climate Footprint
Taking Action to Reduce Our Climate Footprint
6 MIN READ
doing good for planet