Long Term Report

Keen Taos Sandals
Long Term Report
November 29, 2005

Biographical Information

Product Information

Introduction

Field Conditions

Field Test

Summary

Keen Taos Sandals

Biographical Information
Name	Jennifer Pope
Age	24
Gender	Female
Height	5 ft 7 in (1.7 m)
Weight	140 lb (64 kg)
Shoe size	8.5 US
Email address	Jennifer dot Pope at gmail dot com
Location	Los Angeles, CA
Backpacking Background Newbie. I’ve been a car-camper as long as I can remember and started backpacking in Northern California when I was 16. I'm starting to get back into backpacking after a hiatus during college. I recently moved to Southern California and so far I've only backpacked in the Angeles National Forest but I'm planning on branching out to other Southern California mountain areas; the California desert; and the Sierra in the summer months. I'm a tent camper leaning towards lightweight; but I am a fan of gadgets and I like being comfortable. I also do a mix of short and long day hikes in and around Los Angeles.

Product Information (back to top)
Manufacturer	Keen
Manufacturer URL	www.keensandals.com
Year of Manufacture	2005
Listed Weight (presumably per sandal)	11 oz (310 g)
Actual Weight (size women's 8.5 US, both sandals)	23 oz (650 g)
Upper material	synthetic, webbing, mesh
Lining material	nylon, stretch mesh
Rubber material	carbon, non-marking
Color	Fuzz/Loden also available in bison/red rock (dark gray/red) and midnight/royal (dark gray/blue)
MSRP	$99.99 US
Product Description (from website)	The Taos elevates performance footwear to the next level. It combines the support and function one would expect from a functional trail shoe with the open breathability of a sandal and Keen's patented toe protection. This redefines the meaning of hybrid.

Introduction (back to top)

Since my Field Report, my Keen Taos sandals have still been my primary light hiking shoe. There’s not much new to report in the last several months, the sandals continue to perform as they did when I wrote my Field Report.

Please see my Initial Report and my Field Report for more information on my experiences with these sandals.

Field Conditions (back to top)

In the Long-term report period I have worn these sandals pretty close to home. This includes regular urban use as well as on sandy beaches and the rocky chaparral of Southern California. Temperatures have been mild ranging from 50 to 80 F (10 to 25 C). Elevations range from sea level to a few hundred feet (100 m).

Field Test (back to top)

The sandals continue to perform well for light hiking. I have continued wearing these sandals for short day hikes and I’m satisfied with how they’ve performed.

The issue with the fit of the heel still remains. I still find that the heel feels slightly loose. No amount of lace tightening can get this problem to go away. Luckily it has only caused me a blister on one occasion.

Since the Field Report I have started using an aftermarket insole. I have found that even this doesn’t really solve the heel problem. The insoles work well in the sandals but they are slightly visible through the vents in the sides of the sandal.

For added comfort I have frequently worn the sandals with regular hiking or light hiking socks. I find this looks quite silly, but it makes the sandal more comfortable (though the comfort is fine without them).

I mentioned in my Field Report that there has been some slight discoloration in the leather of the sandals. In the picture below you can see the color change between the sandals just after I received them compared to how they look now. (the picture on the left is the sandals when they were new and the picture on the right is current- yes the sandals have also gotten more tan in color and less green)

Keen Taos Sandals

Summary (back to top)

Overall I think the Keen Taos sandals perform well for light hiking/day hiking use. I would feel comfortable wearing them on trails up to 8 miles (13 km) even over somewhat difficult terrain (but on-trail). I think they are a versatile sandal that I’ve been satisfied with on asphalt to sand to granite slab. I will definitely continue to wear these sandals.

I want to thank BackpackGearTest.org and Keen for giving me the opportunity to test this item.

Read more reviews of Keen gear
Read more gear reviews by Jennifer Pope

Reviews > Footwear > Sandals > Keen Taos > Jennifer Pope > Long Term Report

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