I’ll admit it: When KEEN Footwear contacted me about doing a product review, I jumped for joy. It’s not very often I am asked to review a product I am already passionate about. The reason? If there is a line of shoes that perfectly fits Colorado families on the go, KEEN Footwear is it.

My daughter Hadley attended Crested Butte’s acclaimed Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory donning a pair of KEEN shoes last year. My husband Jamie and I both purchased their Market St. line (casual wear) from R.E.I. and he wears his shoes almost daily.

Mine
KEEN Footwear sent my daughter Hadley and me each a complimentary pair of trail shoes to try out. I christened my Genoa Peak shoes on an early-morning hike at Red Rocks and was delighted with how light and fast they are. What I loved the most: I had absolutely no breaking-in blisters, a rarity for me. In my husband’s words: “It’s like wearing a brand-new pair of already broken-in shoes.”

I think this is his way of brown-nosing KEEN shoes for a pair of his own.

Hers
I’m not one to spend a lot of money on children’s shoes but after purchasing a pair of KEEN shoes last year, I realized that the durability and comfort are well worth the extra expense (prices range from $30-70). Plus, I requested a color that Hadley can pass down to her brother because I know they will last. But the best news of all? Their children’s line is for infants, toddlers and youth with offerings that include water sandals, boots, shoes and sneakers.

Hadley’s experience with breaking in her Targhee shoes was not as smooth as mine. Unaccustomed to the extra support of the higher backing on the heel, she initially whined about discomfort. We gave her socks that provided extra padding and all was forgotten. We explored Crown Hill Park–a wildlife watchers’ paradise–with waterfowl and migratory birds, coyote and fox.

And my kiddo played in the grass.

Biked around the lake.

And hung upside down on the Fitness Trail’s monkey bars.

KEEN Footwear uses a lot of great technologies such as KEEN Dry (a waterproof system that breathes) and KEEN Cush (which helps you walk softly).

But of course kids don’t care about technology, they just care about comfort and looks. In life, you get what you pay for.

And when it comes to KEEN Footwear, the gettin’ is good.

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