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KEEN Venice Sandals
Field Report - August, 2006
Contents
Reviewer Information [return to top]
Name: Chuck Kime
Nickname: Fuzzy
Age: 40
Gender: Male
Height: 5' 8" (1.72 m)
Weight: 240 lb (109 kg)
Email address: chuck_kime AT yahoo DOT com
City, State, Country: Upper Darby (Philadelphia suburb), PA, U.S.A.
Backpacking Background [return to top]
My family started car/trailer camping when I was about 5. After 17 years in the Army Reserve fine-tuning my packing methodology I was down to a fairly respectable 75-80 lb (34-36 kg) load in my ALICE pack. Advancing age, arthritic knees and injuries have led me to seriously rethink my gear choices, experiment with tarps and hammocks, make some of my own gear, and look closer at my ‘toys’ with an eye for multi-use and light weight. I now have a sub-30 lb (14 kg) 3-season load, and should be able to reduce it well under 20 lb (9 kg) – before food, fuel and water – without much more effort.
Additional Information applicable to this test
Foot size: 9EEEE (US)
Shoe size: 8½EEE-10D (US), depending on cut of shoe
Product Information [return to top]
Manufacturer: KEEN
Model: Venice
Year of Manufacture: 2006
URL: http://www.keenfootwear.com
Listed weight: 13.8 oz (391 g)
Measured weight (size 9½): 12.8 oz (363 g) each, scale accurate to 0.1 oz
Color: Bison (brown)
Other colors available (men): Olive, Black
Other colors available (women): Mint (green), Spectra (pink), Powder (blue)
MSRP: $94.99 US
Features/claims (from web site) [return to top]
- Metatomical Low Durometer EVA Footbed
- Compression Molded EVA Midsole
- Non-Marking Siped Rubber Outsole
- Patented Toe Protection
- AEGIS Microbe Shield (T) Treated SBR Lining
- Washable Waterproof Leather Upper
- V Strap Forefoot Capture Design
Description [return to top]
The Venice has a V-strap design that allows the tongue to float, giving the sandal – and the foot – increased flexibility. The upper is a perforated waterproof leather backed by neoprene throughout. The sandals are pre-laced with a non-removable elastic cord and cordlock. The midsole has a sueded surface and sturdy arch support. The sole is made of a non-marking rubber, and has siping (grooves) cut into it. In the front, the sole material continues up and back over the toes to provide toe protection.
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For a much more detailed description, along with photos, please see my Initial Report.
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Field Testing [return to top]
Our Boy Scout troop camps monthly, generally in the wooded areas of southeastern Pennsylvania and the Pocono Mountains. Almost all of these outings include a minimum of 2 nights of camping, with temperatures expected to be from lows around 45 ºF (7 ºC) to highs around 95 ºF (35 ºC) during the remainder of the 4-month test period. Elevations will range from sea level to approximately 1,500’ (457 m). Our new Scoutmaster has added monthly hikes to our schedule as well. My wife and I, who between us have 3 high ranking boy scouts (ages 15, 15 and 16), are also looking into additional camping without the scouts, and there are possibilities of some AT section hikes (two down – many to go!) in Pennsylvania and New Jersey with my son as he works towards the Hiking Merit Badge.
Since their arrival, the sandals have been on my feet almost all day almost every day. They have proven to be comfortable, supportive, and secure. Now that I have a little bit of wear on the soles I can see the siping that I missed before. There are very small wavy cuts in the sole that allow water to move out from between the sole and the walking surface.
Speaking of walking surface, I have a wide variety to choose from. I work in – and walk through – historic Old City Philadelphia five days a week. I have had the opportunity to walk (wet and dry) on ceramic tile, concrete, polished concrete, blacktop (macadam), brick, slate, granite, polished granite, marble, polished marble, stone, and cobblestone. Not all of these surfaces are found on the trail, but if I leave out the tile, concrete, brick, and blacktop I have a pretty good sampling. I made a point of trying to slip on all of these surfaces, to check the traction available. In two months of walking, including 6-8 really rainy days, I managed to slip on exactly two surfaces: a wet steel manhole cover, and the blacktop lot at an automotive oil change facility. I am very impressed.
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The anti-odor technology in the insole does not work for me. My wife regularly threatens to throw them from the second-floor window into the alley out back if I take them off upstairs, and I will need to be careful she doesn’t throw them in the trash when this test is over. I would consider this a minor issue if they were only ever worn as trail shoes, but I have been wearing them much longer to test durability. I may be forced to relegate them to trail-only use after completing the test, but – as of now – I intend to continue wearing them in the field.
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Things I am/will be looking for:
- Fit. Do they fit me? Is the sizing accurate? Are they wide enough?
- Materials. Is the upper durable? Is it waterproof?
- Comfort. Can I wear the sandals with socks? Do they provide good arch support (and, if not, can other insoles be used)? Do they hold my feet securely while walking/running/hiking?
- Traction. Do they slip at all on wet rocks? How about wet pavement? Do they shed mud well?
- Smell. Do the footbeds develop an odor? If so, can it be washed out?
- Appearance. Can I wear them to work? Out to dinner? Do they ‘work’ with pants? With or without socks?
- Washability. Are there special instructions? Are they easy to follow? Do they dry well? Do they hold much dirt in the first place?
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My findings so far:
- Fit. I am quite happy so far.
- Materials. The sole has some slight wear, but nothing major considering the mileage they have gotten. The leather is getting polish marks from the lacing, but that is to be expected. They are aging quite well.
- Comfort. Good arch support. Secure.
- Traction. I have had trouble making them slip (see above).
- Smell. The footbeds managed to acquire an odor after 3 continuous days of wearing (no socks). The odor washed out, but it keeps coming back.
- Appearance. I have been wearing them everywhere for the past two months, almost always without socks.
- Washability. Machine wash, Gentle cycle. Air dry. After washing, I set them on my dresser overnight. Temp in my bedroom was in the mid-80s °F (28-29 °C), without much breeze, and they were dry in less than 3 hours. These results have been repeated numerous times in temperatures slightly warmer to slightly cooler.
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Things I like [return to top]
- Light.
- Comfortable.
- Supportive.
Things I don't like [return to top]
- They start to have an odor fairly quickly. It washes out, but comes back.
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Thank you for your time.
Chuck Kime
a.k.a. Fuzzy
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