Heatphobe

I will be traveling to Arenal and Monteverde at the end of February--expect to do hiking, kayaking etc. I want to travel light and wonder if one pair of keen waterproof sandels is sufficent for my trip.

hopefulist

I LOVE my Keens - they're all I take to CA anymore (though I've never been to CR) plus a cheap pair of flipflops for beaches and showers. The nylon ones are a better bet than the leather ones even though they say the leather ones are waterproof.

pepper131

I also have a pair of Keens (the slides - a bit more lady-like)... they are all I wore for 10 days getting around the Yucatan - hiking up pyramids and all.

RufusTFirefly

I didn't know what Keens were, so I just looked at the website.

They look cool, but there's no ankle support. I'd think they're OK for the beach or water activities or the street or walking in the park, but you have no protection against a twisted ankle or other potential, vacation-ruining accident.

If you are actually going hiking as opposed to strolling, I'd recommend a light, Gore-Tex hiking boot with some ankle protection. Trails tend to be wet, slick, a bit rough, and hilly.

sandyc

I'm with Rufus. I love my Keens, but when I'm hiking I wear hiking shoes. I was just hiking in CR in January, and some people in my group wore Keens instead of boots and they wore socks with them to keep out the sticks and stones. However, we got a lot of rain one day so they're feet were soaked and cold. Imagine the wet socks! Another day it was bright and sunny, but the ground was muddy, so their feet were covered w/ mud while I was high and dry. Nothing like finding out you wore the wrong shoes and you have 3 hours to go! And like Rufus said, ankle support is very important. If you're going on real hiking trails as opposed to pavement you will encounter lots of sticks, roots, rocks, slippery slopes, wet leaves, etc.

Sandy

hopefulist

For heavy hiking boots are best, no doubt. I also agree that the Keens offer no ankle protection or support. I have logged thousands of miles in mine, though, including some muddy, up-and downhill stuff and they've never let me down. When I want my feet to be dry and warmer I wear light neoprene socks with them. Carrying only a loosely-packed carry-on sized bag is an amazing way to travel and there are compromises involved, though I've never regretted my shoe choices when I've just had the Flipflops and the Keens. By the way, they clean up and hold up very well; I'm wearing mine here at work as I speak and they look practically new after 5 countries, thousands of miles, and over 2 years of almost daily use.

sandyc

p.s. Don't go horseback riding in Keens! I did and my ankles took a beating w/ every step of the horse -- the metal stirrup banging my ankle. Both ankles were purple, and over the next two days they swelled to enormous size. I suffered so you don't have to!

Sandy