Shoes for Costa Rica
 

Seems a silly post, but thought my recent "revelation" might be useful to someone!

Recently ordered Keens--after thinking about them for a couple of years! We've always just worn our regular walking tennis shoes (you know what I mean), but finally decided we needed to improve our footwear.

Bought my husband some Teva sandals for Christmas and at the same time ordered a pair of Keen Newport H2's for myself. I thought they would be just the thing.

Well, they arrived and I tried like heck to wear them. Wore them around the house for a few days, but the problem is my feet are just too narrow, and they are a rather wide shoe. I had to send them back, but found some Salomon Techamphibians that were perfect for me.

So for all you ladies out there with narrow feet, this is something to consider. I really like the Salomons.

Also I splurged on a pair of Chaco hiking sandals as well. I may find myself wearing them more often than the Salomons, we'll see (don't really care for an open toe down on the Osa). The style is the ZX2--Unaweep.

Shillmac,
I too wanted a pair of Keen's in the worse way. I went to the store to try a pair on and they just weren't comfortable for me either.. I even went back a second time just to retry.. I felt like they were too tight by the toes... I ended up getting a pair of Teva's that are for hiking/water. I am glad I am not the only one.

Not silly, and you're both smart for trying out shoes before a trip instead of buying blindly and being miserable the whole time. I'm a Keener for life - have multiple pairs and have worn them to work most days for nearly 4 years, so obviously they're comfortable for me. :o)

My husband has a leather pair of Keen sandals for kicking around but travels with Salomon Tech Amphibs and swears by them. They don't have enough arch support for me, but are comfortable for him. One advantage is they don't let as much trail stuff in as my Keen H2Os do - small rocks, twigs, etc. Our son Isaac takes his Tech Amphibs to CA, too, because he volunteers extensively in public health and they don't look as spacey as Keens - more like regular shoes. To each his/her own! Happy trails!

Not to sound ignorant, but what are Keens and Salmon?

Try googling for Keen Newport H2O and Salomon Tech Amphibian. They're 2 types of shoes that work from water to trail and they make great travel shoes for Central America.

I love Teva sandals and used them alot in Costa Rica.
I also have narrow feet and they fit very well because all the straps are adjustable.
They are not very stylish but they are really comfortable and wear well.

Do Salomon Amphibs and Keens run true to size? If I normally wear a size 6 in boots or sneakers (with socks), is that the size I sould order?

Salomon Amphibs are only 30 bucks on ebay but I'm nervous about ordering the wrong size...

I too love my Keen's (the Newports and I have another pair that I love...can't think of the name, but I also wear them to work)

Anyway, I bought Kids size, maybe that's why they fit better. I wear a 5 to 6 and the kids size 4 are fine, plus cheaper too!


If this works, here we are in the Osa...we trekked everywhere in them , although we did wear Teva's to dinner etc.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...a/7d8a12d0.jpg

Keens are great for people with wide duck feet like mine! My husband doesn't care for his and got the Salomon Amphibians and loves them.

Shoes and swimsuits-always gotta try 'em on.

Sizing--here's what I discovered:

The Keens run a little small. I typically wear a 9--I know, snow skis. . .!!

I ordered the Keen's in a 9.5. One side felt a little short, but they were so darned wide, no way could I have gone for more length.

The Salomon's I bought a 9 and it is perfect--very true to size. And that is given the fact that I usually purchase a 10 in my regular walking shoes (Aesics, Nikes, etc).

When I went into the the "hiking" store, this is in line with the info the salesperson told me--Keens, order a half size larger, Salomon's true to size.

The Chacos I love because of the adjustable straps. I really think I'll like them better than the Teva's.

Do the open toed Tevas cause problems while hiking? I'm doing a Caravan tour so I don't think we'll be into "serious" hiking areas but probably more groomed stuff.

No, the Tevas are good for hiking most trails. My husband loves his.