Keen Astoria West Women's Sandals - Naval Academy/Reef Waters - US8

Material Quality:Sturdy, DurableColour:Red, BeigeOrdered 11/24, completed 12/5 with excellent customer service. This purchase was for my elder parents, and one of the item size was wrongly chosen. Seller was very responsive and helpful in allowing me to return the item, and arranged for another delivery promptly at a fee. Many many thanks for this wonderful customer service. Parents like it very much as comfy and safer for current rainy weather, with toe box protection. Will buy again!

Beautiful shoes, terrible foot pain

Love the look and feel of these shoes. However the spongy sore seems to have made eye pain from my joint hypermobility syndrome flare up to the extent my feet have been excruciatingly painful. I guess the combination of a spongy some and wobbly joints just brings out the worst of my pain. I’ve had to abandon them after only a few weeks of wearing them. Disappointed because I understood them to be supportive with high arch, but they aren’t supportive to my feet. Cost me a lot of money and not sure I would be able to but Keen again despite them fitting well and looking great. 5 stars fir looks and initial comfort, 0 stars for support and long term comfort leading to crippling pain that I now need to pay a podiatrist to see to help get the pain under control.

Footbed is different

Let me start by saying, I have always loved my Keens! I have several pair and I’ve never had any problem whatsoever. However, this last pair I purchased is just different. The foot bed is not the same. The only difference I can see is the word “eco” is in front of anti-odor anatomic footbed. I can wear my other keen sandals all day and even golf in them, but these hurt my heel. Please go back to your original footbed or advise on what I should do.

Good fit for narrower feet

I tried two models of Keen water shoes. These fit narrower but do not have full rubber bumper across the toe. They worked well for a trip to Hawaii. They protect the feet, have some arch support and do not slip around your foot when wet. They are not the grippiest, I slipped on a narrow wet trail of mixed sand and plant debris. To be fair a lot of other people had problems there in all sorts of footwear. It was just a shock as they had been so solid most places. Clean up ok.

Highly cushioned, secure-fitting, robust sandals

These are fantastic sport sandals for all sorts of activities. A couple of things stand out: they fit very securely so you can adventure confidently, and they are highly cushioned and so you have to get used to being a couple inches taller when wearing them!These water sandals are in fact open footwear, but I got them in late winter and there was still about a foot of snow on the ground. I ended up wearing them several times for show shoveling and walking around on the snow, and miraculously, my feet never got cold, even being outside in mid-30s weather with a medium hiking sock for a couple of hours. So I guess these are snow sandals as well! The hiking tread on the soles had great traction on the snow and ice. Even when I was slipping and sliding a bit, the ... MoreThese are fantastic sport sandals for all sorts of activities. A couple of things stand out: they fit very securely so you can adventure confidently, and they are highly cushioned and so you have to get used to being a couple inches taller when wearing them!These water sandals are in fact open footwear, but I got them in late winter and there was still about a foot of snow on the ground. I ended up wearing them several times for show shoveling and walking around on the snow, and miraculously, my feet never got cold, even being outside in mid-30s weather with a medium hiking sock for a couple of hours. So I guess these are snow sandals as well! The hiking tread on the soles had great traction on the snow and ice. Even when I was slipping and sliding a bit, the sandals fit very securely and did not shift on my foot.In terms of fit, I wear a size 11 and these are true to size. With many types of hiking shoes and boots I need a wide width. These are a medium width, but fit me perfectly, and the great thing about the way the sides are designed is that a bunion I have developed on my right foot was right between two straps, so the sandals were perfect.In terms of comfort, these have remarkable cushioning. They are rather high, and since I usually wear 'barefoot' style shoes with little to no drop from the heel to the toes, when I first put these on I felt like I was standing on 2" lifts. But once they were both on I felt balanced and secure and they just hugged my foot like a glove.In terms of properly fitting these to the foot, the lacing system consists of a stretchy cord and a plastic slider. You can customize the lacing tightness to your heart's content up and down your foot to get the most secure fit. I like this neat and self-contained system and was able to use it effectively to make the sandals hug my feet. If there was one thing that I might suggest, it would be to add adjustability to the heel strap; it fit well but there were a couple of times I might have liked to tighten it a bit, depending on the sock (or lack thereof). Using the laces I was able to make up for this and fit the sandals securely.In terms of look, they are sporty and great looking. I have the gray with coral pink laces and they go with everything. I really really like these sandals and look forward to many fun adventures on the trail and even in the snow.

NOT SLIP RESISTANT!!!

I give one star only because of the cushioned comfort of the sole.I'm not an avid hiker so I rely on descriptions and reviews, however, I do and have hiked on all types of terrain. This was my first purchase of this type of water/land sandal. I purchased these so I didn't have to pack my hiking boots and water shoes and for the sole purpose of a hike up a summit in Belize as well as exploring the ATM cave where you’re wading through a rocky river and climbing up rocks inside there. I needed/wanted a multi purpose shoe/sandal that would provide cushioning comfort, support and provide traction both on land and in the water. This sandal claimed to do all that! I did not purchase this shoe from KEEN.com.I first purchased these through Nordstrom. I'm a true size 7 with ... MoreI give one star only because of the cushioned comfort of the sole.I'm not an avid hiker so I rely on descriptions and reviews, however, I do and have hiked on all types of terrain. This was my first purchase of this type of water/land sandal. I purchased these so I didn't have to pack my hiking boots and water shoes and for the sole purpose of a hike up a summit in Belize as well as exploring the ATM cave where you’re wading through a rocky river and climbing up rocks inside there. I needed/wanted a multi purpose shoe/sandal that would provide cushioning comfort, support and provide traction both on land and in the water. This sandal claimed to do all that! I did not purchase this shoe from KEEN.com.I first purchased these through Nordstrom. I'm a true size 7 with med width and my heel seemed to keep landing on the back edge of the sole and for the price I didn't want to risk it becoming a problem and there was not a larger size to try, so I returned them.Please note the description:Astoria West Water Friendly SandalKEENPrice$115.00–$120.00FREE SHIPPINGGet a $40 Bonus Note when you use a new Nordstrom credit card.Comfort combines with versatile utility in this adventure-ready sandal that features a grippy non-marking lug sole for enhanced traction in and out of water.I then went on with my search, but as luck/algorithms would have it or so I thought, an online outdoor apparel site popped up with the same exact shoe on sale for almost half off and at a half size larger, Score! They arrived, they fit and were very comfortable even though I did have to get used to the footbed feeling a little rough and I have tough feet.I was happy I found mal purpose shoe.My experience with the women’s Keen Astoria closed toe sandal.I have never been so upset nor have I written a complaint like this in my life! Who tested these and by what method?! I needed a quick drying closed toe sandal with cushion and searched and tried many comfortable ones, but was swayed by the number of reviews, descriptions and the known durability and affective-ness of this brand of shoe and these shoes in particular with the assurance of their slip resistance traction for land and water over many sites. The shoe cushion is very comfortable to walk around a town maybe dry dirt in and a stream, but that’s it!I wore these wading through the river they were fine, climbing over and on wet rocks not great. Then I hiked uphill on a winding mountain path just under 3 miles where parts of it were muddy, rocks here and there.. (not like I was hiking the Inca trail in the rain on a journey… only to fear for my life with every step I took. These shoes literally ruined my hiking experience as well as the person's I was with because we had to watch where each of my footsteps were placed…planted, so as not to slip and fall, but that proved futile! I slipped and fell very hard, it was unavoidable and in another attempt scraped my arm because I had to catch and hold on to a tree, to keep from falling down a steep jungle ravine!!!These ARE NOT slip resistant! These shoes have absolutely no traction what so ever!The mud/dirt fills in the crevices on the bottom and they literally become skis. Seriously, at one point, I put my feet together and let myself slide like I was on skis just to get through a small section that’s just how much “lack” of traction there was not to mention how dangerous these shoes are. We’re not talking sink holes, deep mud, glistening smooth path, we’re talking mud, rained on dirt, some mossy rocks and small to medium sized river rocks here and there. Ridiculous!!! I twisted and bruised the muscle below my rib cage reaching for something to catch me. I bruised my hip and knee with the hard fall!! This created a huge interference with the rest of my trip because of the pain from wrenching my muscles trying to plant my feet to keep from sliding and from the eventual fall!!! I attempted to scrape off the bottoms, but I couldn’t keep one foot from slipping, so I could scrape out the crevices from the other one. also, it required digging the packed dirt and mud out with a stick which when on a downward path and not much to hold onto is nearly impossible to do. I was with my daughter and she couldn't believe what we...I were dealing with. We would have been laughing at this insanity, if it hadn't been so dangerous for us. It sounds unbelievable I'm , but believe me, it's humiliating to me just writing this, but I would never want anyone else to experience what I experienced.

Poor customer service

So, during the big end of the year sale, I purchased the Women's Astoria West x Outdoor Afro, in a size 9. Then I get an email saying " Woops," not in stock. While they're still on sale, I keep checking the website for two weeks and the site still says, one size 9 still in stock.After they were on sale, they went up to 84.00 or some price close to that and now there are two size 9's in stock. Do you think Keen would honor the sale price since I did try purchasing them during the sale...HECK NO THEY WOULD NOT! Now they're on sale for 58.99 plus I have to pay 10.00 dollars for shipping and tax, so now I'm paying 28.00 more for the same sandals I tried purchasing during the end of the year sale. So thank you Keen for valuing your customers and your great customer ... MoreSo, during the big end of the year sale, I purchased the Women's Astoria West x Outdoor Afro, in a size 9. Then I get an email saying " Woops," not in stock. While they're still on sale, I keep checking the website for two weeks and the site still says, one size 9 still in stock.After they were on sale, they went up to 84.00 or some price close to that and now there are two size 9's in stock. Do you think Keen would honor the sale price since I did try purchasing them during the sale...HECK NO THEY WOULD NOT! Now they're on sale for 58.99 plus I have to pay 10.00 dollars for shipping and tax, so now I'm paying 28.00 more for the same sandals I tried purchasing during the end of the year sale. So thank you Keen for valuing your customers and your great customer service! Yeah, I was being sarcastic.I've been buying your sandals for years and I have NEVER been so disappointed in your customer service until this incident.

Too narrow. Too little online support.

I am a longtime Keens purchaser for hiking boots and trekking sandals. I have a wider foot but the medium width in Keens have always worked for me - I appreciate the sturdy and supportive footbed of most Keens shoes for women. I assumed the WOMEN'S CNX II would have the same footprint as my Keens outdoor sandals, but they were much narrower and wouldn't support my foot. Unfortunately, the Keens' website didn't have helpful reviews that might have informed my purchase. While I remain a fan of Keens footwear, I am hoping this review helps others in purchasing decisions. the WOMEN'S CNX II was a wonderful sandal - well made and attractive. I just wish I had more customer support before the point of purchase, when after purchase, in email support from the company told ... MoreI am a longtime Keens purchaser for hiking boots and trekking sandals. I have a wider foot but the medium width in Keens have always worked for me - I appreciate the sturdy and supportive footbed of most Keens shoes for women. I assumed the WOMEN'S CNX II would have the same footprint as my Keens outdoor sandals, but they were much narrower and wouldn't support my foot. Unfortunately, the Keens' website didn't have helpful reviews that might have informed my purchase. While I remain a fan of Keens footwear, I am hoping this review helps others in purchasing decisions. the WOMEN'S CNX II was a wonderful sandal - well made and attractive. I just wish I had more customer support before the point of purchase, when after purchase, in email support from the company told me this was a shoe built for narrower feet.

Uncomfortable and unsupportive - but gorgeous with a wonderful mission

For water shoes I have always loved the Newport - I bought my first pair in the early 2000s and have been a loyal KEEN customer ever since. And as a Black outdoorswoman I was STOKED when I saw these shoes, partnering with OutdoorAfro.Unfortunately, they are not like the Newport water shoe. I tried for weeks and weeks to get comfy in these shoes and to no avail.My criticisms are twofold.1. The elevated heel wrecks havoc on my bad knees. A high heel is a terrible idea if you have knee / joint issues, which I do. I silenced my doubts about buying these because I figured since it was KEEN and it's a hiker-sandal-watershoe that the raised heel would be ergonomical. A helpful addition somehow. Sady, it just causes me intense pain on even the shortest of hikes. Much ... MoreFor water shoes I have always loved the Newport - I bought my first pair in the early 2000s and have been a loyal KEEN customer ever since. And as a Black outdoorswoman I was STOKED when I saw these shoes, partnering with OutdoorAfro.Unfortunately, they are not like the Newport water shoe. I tried for weeks and weeks to get comfy in these shoes and to no avail.My criticisms are twofold.1. The elevated heel wrecks havoc on my bad knees. A high heel is a terrible idea if you have knee / joint issues, which I do. I silenced my doubts about buying these because I figured since it was KEEN and it's a hiker-sandal-watershoe that the raised heel would be ergonomical. A helpful addition somehow. Sady, it just causes me intense pain on even the shortest of hikes. Much like higher heels on boots and dress shoes do.2. The webbing is not that flexible and pinches or cuts in at weird places along the side and top of my feet. It's constricting, with little give or flex. The design of the openings seem to place fashion over function. The cutouts all over the top and sides of the shoe look really cool, but are not comfortable for any kind of serious hiking. I found it to be painful, distracting, and allowied for lots of little rocks to get in with no way to easily get the rocks out. With Newports I just shake my foot or sweep a finger inside to scoop out whatever got in. The numerous holes on these sandals are too small for that so I have to stop and actually take off the whole shoe to shake out debris. Multiple times on every hike. As a lover of Newports and Chacos I know rocks getting in just happens. But if getting the rocks out is such a hassle, it makes outdoor adventure shoes a pain.If you don't have knee / joint problems and can wear an elevated heel in other shoes (dress shoes, boots, etc.) I'm sure you'll be fine. But - if like me - you're a diehard KEEN fan because, in the beginning, every shoe had a big wide toe box with what felt like golden orthodics inside - I'd skip these. Factor in the oddly placed cutouts that bite into the top and sides of my feet and allow lots of rocks in, and my feet are killing me after every hike.The sandals are stunning and the mission of OutdoorAfro is so powerful, so I'm SUPER sad these didn't work for me. I would love be able to wear something this cute all the time! These sandals look amazing with skirts and dresses, I get compliments the few times I've worn them. AND the purchase supports OutdoorAfro! But comfort trumps fashion every time for me. I guess I'll gift them to someone in my life who has zero knee problems and doesn't really hike much or go out on the water.

Yes, they can be used with orthotics

I was told by Keen that I could not use orthotics with these sandals, but they were wrong. It's easy to lift out the inner sole and make room for orthotics. There's even a well to hold the heel of your orthotics so they don't slide out. Of course, then you lose that nice, cushiony insole that's such a joy to walk on and get your hard orthotics instead, but if it keeps my feet frrom getting too knotted up, I'll take the punishment. I love the color of these--blue with a little green it. I also love the narrower look of these shoes, with a healthy size toe box, but not an oversized one. These probably wouldn't work as well for wide feet as many of the other Keen styles. I do wish they'd do the toe guard in black and just have it go across the toe in a fairly balanced ... MoreI was told by Keen that I could not use orthotics with these sandals, but they were wrong. It's easy to lift out the inner sole and make room for orthotics. There's even a well to hold the heel of your orthotics so they don't slide out. Of course, then you lose that nice, cushiony insole that's such a joy to walk on and get your hard orthotics instead, but if it keeps my feet frrom getting too knotted up, I'll take the punishment. I love the color of these--blue with a little green it. I also love the narrower look of these shoes, with a healthy size toe box, but not an oversized one. These probably wouldn't work as well for wide feet as many of the other Keen styles. I do wish they'd do the toe guard in black and just have it go across the toe in a fairly balanced way. The v-cut is better than the bumper style that emphasizes the big toe, but you don't really need the V. However, it's better than that ridiculous bumper that wraps around the big toe.