KEEN Akita Ankle Booties

This year KEEN moved in an wonderful new direction with wedge boots and booties.  The three new Akita style boots all give you a couple of extra inches of height and add some fashion to your look without compromising KEEN quality and comfort.  I'm so excited about the Akitas, I hope KEEN will carry on with offering options like these for those of us who refuse to wear uncomfortable (unbearable?) high heels but still want to be feminine and gain some height and sexiness.

The tall boots are fabulous, but sometimes it's too hot for a taller boot.  Enter the Akita Ankle Bootie.  They are so cute and dress up a pair of skinny jeans while still being super easy to walk in and almost as comfortable as one of their trail boots.  There is not a lot of ankle support but they still feel just fine to me.  With KEEN, you typically need to size up a half size.  My normal size is 8.5, so in KEENs I get 9's.  They're one of my favorite brands, the quality is excellent, and they keep coming up with wonderful designs. The Akitas would be a fun holiday gift, and if you bought them on Zappos, you'd still have plenty of time to get them before the 25th. 

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KEEN's Sexy New Fall Boots

Fall is here and it's time for new boots.  Keen has something exciting this year, the AKITA HIGH BOOT which gives you some height with a stylish wedge heel.  It's made with cork for increased  comfort, and adds some sexiness while still keeping up with Keen function.  The side zip makes for easy on and off and there's a cute little accent on the back of the heel. 

The Akita is great for skirts, dresses and skinny jeans.  This boot runs true to Keen sizing, a standard 8.5 would typically size up to a 9.  Normally, I shy away from heels, but these are doable, I and was so excited to see KEEN sass it up a bit.  These are great for those of us who insist on being comfortable but still want to look good.  I needed an insole for this to feel right on my arch (I always do with any sort of heel), so don't give up right away if it doesn't feel right, try insoles to make it work for you. The brown is rustic and the black is sleek, perfect for Autumn adventures.  Find them HERE. 

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Keen Silverton Boots for Fall

Need some fabulous boots for Fall?  KEEN's new Silverton Boot is versatile and will take you right into winter.  The beefy Trailhead sole is fortified with KEEN WARM technology which uses charcoal bamboo to insulate and create antimicrobial protection.  They're waterproof and will get you through a variety of weather, including the earlier, warmer part of Autumn without feeling too hot.

They're tall, but not too tall.  On me, they fall a couple of inches below the knee, providing extra warmth and looking great with skirts and dresses.  You can walk all day in these, they would be great for travel for that reason.   I'm thinking Germany in the late Fall, early Winter, where everyone keeps warm but looks oh so fashionable and you walk everywhere.  They're high performance with a blend of high fashion.  Wear them with skinny jeans by day, and a cute black dress at night.

Do size up with these.  Normally I take an 8.5 in shoes, 9's in Keens and with this boot, I needed a 9.5.  They come in black and a yummy java brown.  Why do I love KEEN so much?  Because I can't seem to wear out their shoes!  They last years and years.  Even my six year old who is a rough and tumble kid that's very active and hard on his shoes can't seem to wear them out before he grows out of them.  That's great value and less waste.  KEEN is also heavily involved in environmental initiatives.  Great company, great value and great style!  Find them HERE.

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KEEN ALASKA BOOT (Still Available for Christmas!)

Need an awesome last minute gift?  It doesn't get much more last minute than this for online shopping--Zappos.  You can still get it by Christmas Eve if you order today by 1:00.  How about a pair of cozy winter boots?

KEEN is one of my favorite shoe companies, I love that they use recycled materials, that they are socially and environmentally conscious and that they make good looking quality footwear that lasts.  I'm not a person with a closet full of shoes, in fact I pretty much have just one pair for each type of weather/activity and that's it.  Keen suits my minimalist approach and a good third of my shoes are Keen.  I've had a pair of their boots for about seven years that I've put mega mileage on and they are not even half way through their life span.  This is one of the things I look for in footwear--longevity.  Yes I want my shoes to look cute, but they have to function.  They have to be super comfortable because I walk so much, and the tread has to last.

I don't know what is going on with me this winter but I just can't seem to get warm.  My feet especially, they're freezing, even with double layers of socks.  It is a colder season than usual, and supposedly it's going to get much colder with La Nina.  I say bring it on, I love cold weather and I love the snow, as long as I have the right gear.  Enter the KEEN Alaska Boot.

These Alaska boots are both cool looking and functional in the cold.  You don't need that peripheral pair of "snow boots" that you take off once you get out of the cold and switch into your more fashionable boots.   These may not be everyone's idea of fashion, but they look super cute with skinny jeans and they are not too hot to wear indoors.

They felt a little stiff at first, but they softened up after wearing them in the house for short break-in period.  They have great traction for snow and are easy to get on and off with that toggle and loops to hang on to.  Keens tend to run a half size small, so order up.   Give a functional gift that will keep your loved one warm, or treat yourself!  Find them HERE.

*note to my vegan readers:  While I am not a full on vegan, I try to always choose the most animal friendly option.  I am consistently torn as to which is the more eco and less cruel choice in terms of my shoes.  Are a pair of vegan boots (which--I've yet to find a functional pair for winter purposes) that are made with non biodegradable often toxic materials that are not eco friendly and are made with the industrial destruction of wildlife any better than a pair made with leather which is an animal byproduct.  For me right now, one pair of leather boots, particularly from a company like Keen or Patagonia which does so much environmental work is preferable to several pairs of vegan boots that didn't work out.

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KEEN Weidler Backpack

Keen is one of my very favorite shoe and bag companies.  Their stuff is buy-it-once quality, is super functional and well thought out, uses recycled content, and looks cool to boot.

Check out this new Weidler Backpack.  This is something new for me as it has a side opening/closure, making it easy to access contents while still on your shoulder.  The compartments are an electronic device junkie's dream with plenty of spaces for your camera, ipod, phone, and a padded separate compartment for your laptop.  There's a chest strap for heavier loads, and recycled metal hardware.

Normally I like my gear as plain and logo-free as possible.  A prominent logo could potentially be a deal breaker for me.  For some reason the Keen logo just makes me smile.  It looks kind of like a big toothy grin, it's a happy logo and one of the few that I really love.  The big Keen logo on this pack makes it look even cooler and also makes it easy to spot for traveling purposes.

I think this would be a great pack for cycling or any type of commuting to work.  The recycled rubber on the bottom makes it nice for setting down on the bus or train and the reflector on the bottom makes you a little more visible on your bike.  There are handles both on the top and the side so you can grab it from any angle, and the zippers glide smoothly.

It might be a little better for guys (or taller females) for daily commuting.  I'm 5'5 with a medium frame and the bag hits me below my hips.  It's a little big for me for quickie trips but would be wonderful on the plane or for longer excursions.  It would be great for a weekend (or week-long) adventure.  There's plenty of room for clothes, books, snacks, extra shoes, small blanket, etc.  The Weidler is a great multipurpose bag, find it HERE.  

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KEEN Alameda Bag

The Keen Alameda Bag is an awesome laptop messenger bag perfect for school and travel and daily activities.  I've been using this as an alternative to my backpack and I love it.  It holds a ton of stuff without being unwieldy.

My laptop fits great in the soft padded computer pocket, it holds my food--like a full lunch and emergency snacks, there's a place for a water bottle, and there's plenty of space for a sweater or jacket.  There's a toggle for your keys, padded compartments for electronics like a camera or mp3 player, and I  love the little pocket on the strap which holds my cell phone at close reach.

It's well made and durable and super cute.  There are a lot of details that I really appreciate, such as a recycled rubber bottom, nice for when you're on the bus and set the bag down on the floor.  I like the recycled metal clasp which allows you to adjust the length of the lightly padded strap.   And the outer zippered compartment makes for quick access to necessities like sunglasses or wallet.  The magnetic closure is also a nice touch.  The only thing I'm not wild about is the U-shaped inner zipper because I have to take off the bag to open it.  Not a big deal though since there's that outer zipper pocket for important stuff.

I love the messenger bag look and I love Keen, so I'm very fond of the Alameda bag.  It's a good looking, multi purpose, high functioning bag that should last forever.  Find it HERE.

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Keen Madrid Ballerina Shoes, the Ultimate Travel Shoe

Going somewhere warm this winter? Keen's Madrid Ballerina shoes are the perfect shoe for traveling. You can slip them right off to go through security at the airport and they're lightweight enough for the suitcase. Most importantly--they are very comfortable. I am not one for flats with thin soles--I like a lot of shock absorption in my shoes and want the option of being on my feet all day comfortably, especially while traveling. This cute little shoe fits the bill while still looking feminine. You can wear them sightseeing all day and go right into night with a dress or skirt.

Keen shoes last forever--I have a pair of six year old Keen boots that are still my winter staple. Sizing can be tricky, I always size up a half size with Keen from an 8.5 and it's a perfect fit for me, but I have heard others say they are true to size. If possible, it might be a good idea to try them on first or order from an online store like Zappos which makes exchange super easy and fast.

They would look adorable with a pair of yoga pants and would work well in a business casual office environment...the options are endless. Cluttered closets are no fun, so I really appreciate a multifunctional shoe. They are vegan friendly, come in several different colors, and are cuter in person than in the photo. I can't say enough good things about this shoe, whether you are traveling or reside in a warmer climate, check them out. They are the shoe equivalent to the little black dress.

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