KEEN-parison: Which Sneakers for Skipping into Spring?

Is it sneaker weather yet? Everyone’s springtime looks a little different; in some places it’s wet and mucky, in others it’s warm, dry, and gentle (and, like the song goes, sometimes it snows in April). We always look forward to that day in spring when the temperature finally feels mild enough to say “so long” to bulky wool socks and insulated boots. When it’s finally time to put away all the winter gear and opt for something lighter (and cuter). There’s something about slipping on some colorful socks and then lacing into a pair of sneakers that always makes us feel so free and easy.

Here’s what we think: a sneaker should be comfy, because otherwise, what’s the point? KEEN sneakers start with a secure heel fit and space for toes to spread out, even with our more contoured fit. That way, you’re prepared for walks, bike rides, and even some dancing (you know, in case a block party breaks out).

Shopping for a fresh pair of sneakers? We have a few favorites to recommend. But which pair should you pick? Check out this handy chart:

(Worth noting: they all have Eco Anti-Odor for natural odor control, because if there’s one thing no one likes, it’s smelly sneakers.) Want to hear more about what makes these pairs so great? Read on:

Lorelai II: This women’s sneaker has a sleek, minimal look that definitely qualifies as smart-casual (we love these with jeans or a jersey dress). The leather upper is made with environmentally preferred leather from Leather Working Group-certified tanneries (they reduce chemicals to help preserve and protect our water). Under your foot, the KEEN Luftcell midsole is loaded with thousands of teeny air bubbles for a lighter-than-air feel. Choose between a lace-up or slip-on (pictured above).

Elsa Lite: The women’s Elsa sneaker is a KEEN favorite, and we’re really excited about this new update. The Elsa Lite sneaker has a Better Cotton Initiative canvas upper with a super lightweight, flexible feel (for all that strolling and flower-picking you’re gonna do). It's fused without glues for longer-lasting construction, and it has a KEEN Luftcell midsole that’s light and comfortably cushy. There’s also a version with a felt upper for a touchable texture and a winter-to-spring transitional feel (The felt is made with 50% recycled wool –– even better the second time around!).

Highland Arway: The men’s Highland Arway felt sneaker brings together outdoor DNA with in-town versatility. We took our original men’s hybrid outdoor sneaker and gave it a wool-blend upper for a clean, classic look. Like Elsa, it contains 50% recycled wool for a lighter footprint. Bonus: we include two laces, so you can go neutral or add a pop of color.

Jasper: The Jasper (pictured below) has an out-of-the-ordinary look and popping color combos inspired by climbing shoes. It has an extra-long lacing system that extends all the way down the toe. That means you can adjust the laces for the perfect fit across all parts of your foot (folks with wide or hard-to-fit feet tell us the Jasper is one of their faves). We make the Jasper for both men and women, so feel free to match with your main squeeze (or your best buddy).

UNEEK SNK: The cousin of the UNEEK hybrid shoe, the UNEEK SNK sneaker gets its comfortable, adaptive feel from an upper made of flexible round cord. Oh, and that cord? It’s made from recycled, post-consumer plastic that used to be water bottles. (We just love giving perfectly good plastic a second life instead of sending it to the landfill.) Made for men and women, the UNEEK SNK comes in a closed version for more coverage and an open version that lets the breeze in.

KEEN tip: We wear our open UNEEK SNK shoes with socks in the springtime, then go barefoot once spring turns into summer. Multi-use, multi-season shoes are our favorite!

We wish you a happy spring sneaker season, filled with lots of sunny days at the park and trips around the farmer’s market. And when spring turns to summer, trade those sneakers in for a trusty pair of sandals or river shoes