What Is An 'Après Shoe' And Why Do I Need One?
Whether you call it an après shoe, cabin slipper, or camp slide, nothing beats the feeling of slipping into your happy shoe after a day of outside adventure.
It all started with après ski, the French phrase used to describe the after-ski time spent at the lodge with ski boots unbuckled—or better yet, totally off—as you relax after an epic day of turns on the mountain. Naturally, après hike, après bike, après slack, après SUP, and après snowshoe, etc., followed because it always feels good to dial up the kick-back-and-get-comfy factor after going hard—at anything. Particularly for your feet!
At KEEN, we love cozy, and it totally shows in our selection of casual slip-on shoes and slides that do après so well (and they totally work for before and during, too!). Read on for some cozy inspiration on the shoe to pack for every outing and trip, any time of year.
1. Give Your Feet Room to Breathe
After going non-stop, feet just wanna be free. No laces, no buckles. Slides and slip-ons are the way to go. Easy-on feels extra great when you are tapped out, too, or changing footwear while sitting on a truck tailgate or going in and out of your tent.
Our easy-on picks: UNEEK SNK Slide in men's and women's sizing.
2. Take Comfort Anywhere
Being active and being cozy aren’t mutually exclusive. An active moc can be just the thing for lower-intensity activities outside, like walking the dog or exploring a mountain town after a light hike.
Our active moc picks: Women's Targhee II Soho and Men's Brixen Waterproof Low.
3. Like a Slipper
You might have to get out of bed in the morning, but your feet don’t. With wool and quilted slippers that are cush for your feet plus have outdoor-ready tread, you can head right to the brunch line or fetch more firewood in comfort.
Our outdoor slipper pick: Howser in men's, women's, and kids'
4. For Après Ski (or Waterski)
Cozy isn’t just a cold-weather thing. After a day of tropical hiking and water sports, you’ll totally want a warm-weather version of a cabin shoe as you head for the closest hammock. Meanwhile, if you are changing out of ski boots or walking the dog in a few inches of snow, the warmth of a winter clog or boot feels Ah-mazing.
Our après ski picks: Women's Greta Chelsea boots or Kaci II Winter Slip-On, and Men's Anchorage III boots.
Our après waterski picks: Men's and women's Kona flip-flop
5. Did Someone Say Campground Shower?
Perhaps the ultimate way to spend your après time is by soaking in a hot tub or taking a long, hot shower. For that, it helps to have a shoe that you can slide wet feet into as you walk back to your campsite, glamping digs, or hotel room.
Our camp slide pick: Yogui slip-on for men and women
From après ski to all-day comfort