Reviews > Footwear > Sandals > Keen Venice > Jennifer Koles > Initial Report

                        

The Keen Venice is a waterproof performance sport sandal with an open strapping system.

Dimensions: 10 1/4 in x 4 3/8 in (26 cm x 11 cm)

Manufacturer Description (obtained from the manufacturer website): "Inspired by its sibling the Newport, the Venice takes the concept of a performance sport sandal one step further. Providing exceptional traction on mixed terrain, the Venice adds an open strapping system, pairing outstanding ventilation with a streamlined outsole for a lighter ride." Specs: Upper:  Waterproof Leather Lining:  Hydrophobic SBR Rubber:  Carbon Non Marking Features: AEGIS Microbe Shield Treated SBR Lining Washable Waterproof Leather Upper V-Strap Forefoot Capture Design On the care instructions included with the shoes the manufacturer states that the shoes are machine washable with a small amount of detergent on the gentle cycle. On the inside of the sandals the care instructions state:   Washable Footwear Cold Water Wash Separately Gentle Cycle Liquid Or Dry Soap Air Dry Only Do Not Bleach

My Description: The upper portion of the sandal is constructed of waterproof split-grain leather that is double reinforced stitched to the Hydrophobic SBR lining. The Hydrophobic SBR lining is a foam type  treated with a AEGIS Microbe Shield to resist odors and bacterial growth. The foam lining is stretchy allowing the shoe to be more easily donned and doffed.  The lining is soft to the touch.  The sandal is fastened with one pull cord with a lock. The pull cord is stretchy and the fastener/lock easily slides on the cord to make the sandal the desired tightness. At the end of the pull cord is a plastic piece that I grasped with the hand I was not using on the fastener/lock.  There are two loops fastened to the sandal with reinforced stitching. One is located on the tongue of the shoe and the other is located on the back strap. They have reflective accents and are intended to assist with donning and doffing the shoe. The rubber is a carbon non-marking type with siping cuts on the bottom of the sandal. The siping cuts are to provide the sandal with traction.  The sandals have a rubber toe cap to protect the toes from debris and from injury.   To clean the sandals they can be machine washed in cold water (gentle cycle) and air dried.

Prior to receiving the sandals I did visit the Keen website to view the product description and the pictures of the sandal. The website had views of the back, top, side, and sole of the shoe. There was a small product description and some of  the specs of the shoe was listed on the website. After receiving the sandals, I was more impressed with what I saw than the product description on the website. The appearance of the shoe was what I expected, but there were a few additional features that the website did not describe.  The sandals have a rugged look with a rubber toe cap and soles with thick tread. The leather of the sandal is brushed and has a soft feel. The sandal has an open appearance on the sides and the back. After trying on the sandals I experienced a snug and comfortable fit. The sandals felt lightweight and the toe cap did not hinder my walking stride. The leather is fastened to the foam like interior with a double reinforced stitch. The sandals proved easy to don and doff using the loops on the tongue and the back strap of the sandal. When donning and doffing the shoes the side straps stretch and are forgiving to place my foot inside the shoe. The pull cord was tightened for a more snug feel; however, I am able to wear the shoes walking in the neighborhood without the pull cord fully snug. My toes did sweat slightly more in these sandals than other brands that I own and this is due to the toes being enclosed by the toe cap.

Things I Like:

• Ease of donning and doffing the shoes

• Comfort

• Pull cord fastening feature

Things I Do Not Like:

• None found yet

This item will be primarily tested during the summer months (May-August) in the mountainous region of northern Utah. Most elevation ranges in the Utah Wasatch and Uinta Mountain Ranges are between 9,000-10,000 ft (2700-3000 m). The average daytime temperature in these mountain ranges at 9,000 ft (2700 m) during the summer months is 75 F (24 C). The yearly average amount of snowfall is 500 in (13 m) in the Wasatch Mountain Range. I frequently spend 6 nights during the month, backpacking in this area of Utah.

In the early fall months (September) I frequently overnight camp in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park and the Moab, Utah area. The climate in this area is dry during the fall months and the temperatures average 60 F (16 C) during the day. The elevation in this area is generally 5000 ft (1500 m) with ranges of a few hundred feet. 

My backpacking plans this fall (September) also include 2-3 day backpacking trips in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and the San Rafael Swell area of Utah. The elevations in these geographical areas range from 4000-8000 ft (1200-2400 m). These areas are considered a high desert, and consist of rugged mountainous terrain, slot canyons, and are less rugged in the valley areas. The temperatures during the fall months average approximately 60 F (16 C). The area is arid with only 4-6 in (10-15 cm) of precipitation a year. This portion of the testing will involve hiking, some canyoneering (in potential wet areas), and scrambling.

Fit:  Is the bungee pull cord able to be tightened enough to offer needed support and prevent the sandal from sliding? Does the pull cord work its way loose while wearing the sandals? Is there any pressure areas noted? If I get pressure areas or blisters I will determine if socks can relieve this.

Comfort:  Does sand, dirt, rocks, and miscellaneous debris become stuck in the toecap area? When the sandals become wet in the field are they comfortable enough to remain on my feet? How long can I wear them wet? Do I get blisters on the heel strap (test wet and dry)? If worn wet does the toe footbed area dry or remain wet after the tested normal drying time? Do I experience any foot pain? Is my arch supported (I usually wear an arch support in my casual shoes) without wearing my orthotics? When I bump the toecap of the sandal on a rock do I stub my toes? Are all my toes protected by the toecap? Are there any pressure areas from the anchored side straps?

Wear:  Does the rubber wear out quickly in the heel area and on the toecap? Is the rubber durable (do stones and sticks become lodged in the rubber (poke in and get stuck))? Does the rubber crack? Does the pull cord or the plastic piece used for cinching break? Does the pull cord become frayed with use? Does the stitching become undone? Do the anchored side straps break? Does the toecap easily wear or pull away from the leather? 

Care:  The manufacturer indicates that these shoes are machine washable. I will evaluate if there is any cracking, shrinking, or stretching after washing. I will also evaluate if the footbed and the leather is still soft and comfortable to my foot and or touch after washing. Is spot cleaning effective on these shoes with a mild detergent? How long does it take them to dry? Can they dry overnight? If I dry them in the sun does the leather and the footbed become rough (like dried leather)?

Traction:  Do the sandals provide adequate traction on various surfaces (wet rocks, dry rocks, stones, gravel, mud, sand, slick rock (sand stone), grass, dirt, logs)? –I will test each individually. How do they perform while scrambling to rock climbing areas on various types of rock (limestone, quartzite, sandstone, granite)? Can I scramble these rocks in the sandals without the need to don my climbing shoes? Do they provide traction while white water rafting on the raft surface, wet rocks and the river bottom?

Miscellaneous:  Is the rubber non-marking? Does the Microbe Shield prevent odor (especially when hiking in the desert in over 100 F (38 C)) and staining on the footbed? What is the largest pack load I can carry while wearing these sandals and have adequate foot support that there is not discomfort noted? Does the toecap prevent me from catching (tripping) my toes while walking (you know how sometimes with regular sandals the front of the footbed can curl under and you trip)? Are they stylish to wear around town?

Reviews > Footwear > Sandals > Keen Venice > Jennifer Koles > Initial Report