Keen Ventura II Shoe : A Step Back in Time

The first time my neighbor saw me in my awesome, sweet Keen sneaks, he just pointed and said, "Mine!" He's used to me giving him shoes whenever I feel that I have too many (which is often). I laughed and said, "Not until you pry them off my cold, dead feet." Maybe I shouldn't tempt him...

Anyway, I love the Ventura II shoe. It's like a super cool updated version of the canvas sneakers I wore as a kid. The uppers are made out of thick canvas, with soft nubuck leather covering the top, front part of the shoe. The lace holes have larger silver-colored grommets, and the laces are super thick (and you get an extra pair in a contrasting color) and long.

The Ventura II even has the same white rubber edging (with requisite racing stripe to make me run faster, jump higher) as my childhood shoes -- but better because the entire shoe sits in a nice, thick grippy rubber sole. The usual Keen toe bumper is reduced to a mere shield, which works well on these sleek sneaks. So these shoes are sturdy enough for long walks, have excellent traction on wet pavement, and just look really cool.

I tested a men's pair because I have giant, wide feet, but the Ventura II is also available in women's sizes (and in fun colors like jester red). The men's shoe comes in black, pinecone (brown), and army (green). Keen makes several Ventura styles -- including a model with an all canvas upper and a slip-on version.

I think this shoe runs a bit long. I have more room at the end of my shoe than usual. Not sure if it's enough room to go down 1/2 a size, though.

Bottom Line: La la la la love them. I wear them with shorts, skirts, pants. I wear them without socks, with socks, mostly without because it's summer. The first week I had them I didn't even take them off when I took naps.--E.D. (August 08)

Price: $65 at REI, click on a logo below to shop

(women's red on sale for 54.99)

Manufacturer's Site: www.keenfootwear.com