Keen Obsidian WP Shoes : Streamlined, Smooth Ride

It's always hard to pick my favorite Keen shoe because each new style I test seems to get closer and closer to my ideal shoe. So, for now, it's the Obsidian WP.

Available in men's and women's sizes, the Obsidian WP is a sweetly styled shoe who's sleek, no-nonsense design gives it a super spy city look -- but don't be fooled by appearances - this is a serious outdoor shoe.

The upper is made out of a black (or gray) mesh, with an asymmetrical lacing system that smartly utilizes nylon loops rather than grommets (I've worn too many outdoor shoes in the past whose metal or hard plastic grommets just dug into the top of my feet when I cinched my laces.) Of course, there's the ubiquitous Keen toe bumper, but it's slimmer - not the bulbous protector from Keens past. All nice, all wonderful from a design standpoint.

I guess I knew that the shoes were waterproof but I never thought about it until I just read the description on the Keen site. I've been hiking and walking in these shoes so many times on rainy afternoons that I'd forgotten that my feet are always dry when I return. I never think of certain features unless they're missing or not working and I pay the consequences. I'm impressed that Keen has made a shoe that's city good looking, waterproof, and breathable.

Another thing I love about this shoe, and Keen in general, is the sole and stability. There's great tread on this non-marking sole, but better still - the shoe is shanked so I get support and a firmer sole that I have ever found in a lightweight trail shoe. The Obsidian WP also has a forefoot plate to protect my foot when I step on stones and tree roots and other pointy objects on the trail.

I actually prefer using these shoes for running over my regularl running shoes because the sole is thicker and firmer. I need that protection for my old feet. For hiking and power walking, the Obsidian WP has been stellar. No break-in period. No blisters. No complaints.

They have a great heel to toe feel because the shoe is so solid and even. With some shoes, all the protection is in the heel or the heel is a bit higher than the forefoot. With my Keens, I feel like my foot is in a neutral position, so I walk or run the way I want to and the shoe doesn't mess with that.

I normally avoid lightweight trail shoes becuase they never give me the sole thickness or stability I need. Thank you, Keen, for a rounded toe box, for a shoe that looks simple but has a lot of work behind it, for enough width for my sorta wide feet, and for a shoe I can wear with jeans (and still look hip) when I walk miles and miles around the city.

Available in men's and women's sizes and in colors: black, gray (Click on links below for free shipping deals.) Note on sizes: I usually wear a men's 9, but found a better fit with a 9.5.

Bottom Line: i love these shoes so much that I didn't bring them on my vacation to CA (where I am doing a lot of walking - in nature and in the city) because I wanted to save them so they'll last longer. I also didn't trust the airline not to lose my bag.--E.D. (Nov 09)

BUY ONLINE : $124.95, Click to shop at onlineshoes.com , also available at: , , .

Manufacturer's Site: www.keenfootwear.com

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