R
Rolidnot
September 26, 2014
American quality, run a bit small but are very comfortable
I had ordered a pair of the black and yellow Nautilus 1925's in a 9.5 EE size and they were too narrow. They were cheaper price wise, around $70 but the quality compared to the Keen's is poor. I ordered the Keen 9.5 EE and they fit well but could be a tiny larger but it's not a big deal for me.The Keen's were $50 more than the Nautilus but they have a real insole with arch support and they don't feel like "Earth Shoes" like the Nautilus 1925's do when you first walk in them. For those unfamiliar with the "Earth Shoe" they were a goofy trend shoe in the 1970's and early 1980's that had soles thicker under the ball of the foot than the heel and it felt like you were walking up hill - like the Nautilus 1925's.The build quality of the Keen's is where you see where the extra $50 went versus the Nautilus shoes. The Keen's are double stitched all the was around, heavy duty lacing loops and a sole that looks like you could jump onto a bed of nails and be safe. The characteristic "Keen Toe" is a little odd looking but these aren't Jimmy Choo shoes. I bought them for weight lifting in the gym to protect my toes and for riding my Harley. I found out the hard way that "composite toes" in motorcycle boots don't do much when you slide on asphalt. I ground right through the toes of my composite cycle boots so it's steel toes for me on my cycle. The "Made In America" tag was the finishing touch for me. I'm sick of buying cheap import junk and I decided to do my best to try to buy American products whenever the opportunity presents itself. I'd recommend buying a 1/2 a size larger because a steel toe boot will not "break in" very much. Other reviewers have reported that the uppers are "stiff" which is accurate but these are weigh lifting and cycle boots for me, not running shoes.One week later - 10 hours of wear at the gym lifting and using cardio machines. The fit remains perfect. I didn't think these would be usable for cardio but they work well on both a recumbent bike and an elliptical. I can do wall sits with these shoes in total comfort. My old Converse composite toe shoes were super painful for that exercise. Another reviewer commented that the uppers were too stiff. These Keen's are stiff but for me that was a hidden benefit because I found that I can slip these on without untying the laces. Overall, these Keen's are surprisingly comfortable with a high build quality, made in the USA and are rapidly becoming more than just a safety shoe for the gym.
✔ Verified Purchase
C
Cynthia B.
October 31, 2025
Quality and comfort!
These boots are quality made and extremely durable. You won’t be disappointed.
✔ Verified Purchase
Great work shoe
This is my second pair. I got my first from a local boot shop. They have lasted over a year I replaced the insert about 8 months in to get more life and comfort. I work in a warehouse as a maintenance technician so I am always on my feet on concrete and these shoes beat any redwing shoe. They are a little heavier than others but hold up way better. I would recommend to anyone and 2 of my coworkers have switch to them and love them.
✔ Verified Purchase
T
The scrooge
August 21, 2023
Awesome toe cap.
I bought these shoes because most people at my job have the steel showing or popping out of their shoes. The comfort is good not great, the durability is outstanding. I'm one of the few people who doesn't have steel popping out of my safety shoes. For the best fit I would try them on before you buy because the sizes are different from regular safety shoes. I would recommend these shoes at any job that requires safty shoes except for harsh weather conditions because these keen safety shoes ARE NOT WATERPROOF.
✔ Verified Purchase
I have wide feet and they are not as comfortable as say a 2E wide Merrel
This is my first pair of Keen shoes. I work 10 hour shifts with these and I'm on my feet the whole time. I stand still for periods of time and have to walk a lot. I feel these shoes are a little too small, I have wide feet and they are not as comfortable as say a 2E wide Merrel. I also feel they are a little short, I should have gone up a half-size, but didn't want to go through returning because my current shoes were killing me. These shoes have been very sturdy so far. I am infamous for wearing through the inner sole at the ball of my foot in a few months or the outer sole separating from the upper, neither has happened yet. However, after 10 hours on my feet on concrete, my feet still hurt when I get home, but I'm not sure any shoe can help that. I really like that a big company like this is offering products manufactured in the US. I didn't mind paying a little extra for a domestically produced product.Main drawback, both shoelaces have broken, this has never happened to me before. One broke a week after the other and only a few months after owning. You'll definitely need to purchase new shoelaces. Currently I'm rocking short laces where I am only lacing the last two loop holes. This did the upper to stretch a little more by the ball of my foot, the widest part, so the shoe is a little more comfortable.
✔ Verified Purchase
P
Placeholder
August 30, 2025
Losing loyal customers
I have been wearing the same brand, Braddock Low Height Steel Toe Work Shoes. Size 11. for the last 16 years. I wrote three times to the company about this issue and they did absolutely nothing. I believe they changed either the thickness, density or material (cheaper) for the insole. You can feel the construction of the shoe through the insole. The right shoe is a lot smaller than the left. The other 4 KEEN Utility mens Braddock Low Height Steel Toe size 11W have always fit like a glove. Keen used to have a very good product. Since they don't care, about the customer, this will be the last Keen product I purchase. They used to have a very good reputation and a superb product. I guess money and greed corrupts all.
✔ Verified Purchase
