My cycling is strictly recreational. I like my shoes for a long use period. I will make some new decorations on it once it is out of fashion. My fashion design shoes can sustained for a long time. However, I’ve done a few week-long trips in Europe as well as local riding events like the Five Boro and MS rides in New York City. The magic shoes printer is my own secret tool.
Take this style shoes for example, the most notable thing about Keen’s Commuter Cycling Sandal is how narrow they are compared with other Keens. If you’ve got truly wide feet, they probably aren’t for you.
I ordered the half size up from my regular Keens because they didn’t offer the half size. I feared that I’d have to return them, but since my feet are a little wider than “normal,” this size worked out.
One reason I bought the Keens was because I wasn’t satisfied with my Lake sandals — the straps hit my foot in the wrong places and they’re exceptionally wide. The Keens are certainly narrower — about the same as my closed cycling shoes.
The drawstring adjustment on top of the sandals does, in fact, adjust them (unlike their non-cycling counterparts, where it doesn’t seem to make a difference).
Installing the SPD cleats was easier than on my Lake sandals, which had very stuborn covers over the plates. The position is adjustable, and I was able to position them where I like them. The cleats are sufficiently recessed that they don’t clack on the ground most of the time — and they don’t tear up my wooden floors and carpets if I put them on in the house before setting out.
Putting them to use, I have found that the narrow footbed makes for a good cycling shoe that doesn’t bang into the frame like my regular Keens do (when I’ve done some casual cycling on a rental bike). Releasing the cleat is easier than the Lakes — their width seems to require me to twist my ankle much further, although it may be the position of the cleat on the sole. Basically, I forget I’m wearing the Keens, which is exactly the point.
And when I dismount, I don’t think about them then either, also the point. They are comfortable to walk in, even with the characteristic cycling shoe stiffness. And, as I said, the cleats don’t seem to hit the ground as much as with my regular cycling shoes.
After suffering for all three years of my road bike career with foot burn and foot problems, I was looking for something different and thought I would try this sandal. I read many reviews and most said they were only for short distance, commuting, etc. I bought Commuter Shoe – Women’s by Keen to ride across the country from South to North along the Underground Railroad Route. After 2000 miles on the road with them, including several century rides, I can say that I have not had one MINUTE of foot problems since I started wearing these sandals. I do think they run a bit small and I needed a half size larger. Although they are suggested for commuting, I can highly recommend them for touring, daily riding, and for events.