Replacement for Keen Austin?
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 62
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From: AUSTINtx
Replacement for Keen Austin?
I've had these 4 years and they are starting to wear out. I looked online recently and discovered they were discontinued and replaced in Keen's lineup with a sandal SPD (don't want that). I have looked at Chrome, DZR, Quoc Pham, etc. but haven't found a worthwhile replacement. I wanted durability along with something I could wear to the office. Not looking for something with an edge or trying make a statement, but rather shoe that would blend in. Any suggestions?
Backup plan is to do with stiff non-SPD shoe.
Backup plan is to do with stiff non-SPD shoe.
#2
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,280
Likes: 322
From: Sherwood, OR
For all-day office wear, I don't think that I would find any cycling specific shoe that is suitable. Either it is stiff enough for riding, or flexible enough for walking. Too much of a compromise for me.
Are you looking for something to wear all day, or just for a few minutes at the start and end of the day to wear "through" the office? If the latter, I would also give Dromarti a look. I don't have a pair, but I know a couple of people who do, and they say that they are extremely durable, and polish up pretty well. The can make a pass through the office without being noticed.
Are you looking for something to wear all day, or just for a few minutes at the start and end of the day to wear "through" the office? If the latter, I would also give Dromarti a look. I don't have a pair, but I know a couple of people who do, and they say that they are extremely durable, and polish up pretty well. The can make a pass through the office without being noticed.
#3
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: AUSTINtx
I bike commute every day and will take trips to happy hour, lunch, outside meetings, grocery store, etc. during the day or on the way home from work.
The Keen Austin was a do everything shoe that thankfully did not look like MTB shoes, so maybe I am asking a lot.
Did see the Giro Rumble VR that looks promising
The Keen Austin was a do everything shoe that thankfully did not look like MTB shoes, so maybe I am asking a lot.
Did see the Giro Rumble VR that looks promising
#4
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 919
Likes: 15
From: South Austin, Texas
Bikes: 2010 Origin8 CX700, 2003 Cannondale Backroads Cross Country, 1997 Trek mtn steel frame converted commuter/tourer, 1983 Univega Sportour, 2010 Surly LHT, Others...
Keen Austin Cycling shoes have been discontinued. I love mine for winter riding here in Texas and when I need to wear and blend in while in cycling shoes. I found my 2nd pair online when I found out they were being discontinued at REI. I keep them treated with Obenauf's Leather Paste, a beeswax product, to protect the leather.
And no, I haven't seen an equivalent shoe out there.
Keep us posted if you find an acceptable alternative.
And no, I haven't seen an equivalent shoe out there.
Keep us posted if you find an acceptable alternative.
#6
Keepin it Wheel




Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,964
Likes: 5,222
From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
have you tried looking everywhere online to see if anybody still has stock you can buy? Like if you are size 8 Nordstrom Rack has one pair left, etc.
The most comfortable shoes I have ever owned are a pair of Keen Jaspers that I got from Salvation Army for $3.50. They were pretty well used, after a few months I had to shoegoo some parts of the sole, but they are so soft! Unfortunately all the new Jaspers have garish color accents, mine are nice and all blue-grey. I wouldn't recommend them for biking though, unless new ones have significantly stiffer soles. Mine are like moccasins.
The most comfortable shoes I have ever owned are a pair of Keen Jaspers that I got from Salvation Army for $3.50. They were pretty well used, after a few months I had to shoegoo some parts of the sole, but they are so soft! Unfortunately all the new Jaspers have garish color accents, mine are nice and all blue-grey. I wouldn't recommend them for biking though, unless new ones have significantly stiffer soles. Mine are like moccasins.
#7
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,280
Likes: 322
From: Sherwood, OR
have you tried looking everywhere online to see if anybody still has stock you can buy? Like if you are size 8 Nordstrom Rack has one pair left, etc.
The most comfortable shoes I have ever owned are a pair of Keen Jaspers that I got from Salvation Army for $3.50. They were pretty well used, after a few months I had to shoegoo some parts of the sole, but they are so soft! Unfortunately all the new Jaspers have garish color accents, mine are nice and all blue-grey. I wouldn't recommend them for biking though, unless new ones have significantly stiffer soles. Mine are like moccasins.
The most comfortable shoes I have ever owned are a pair of Keen Jaspers that I got from Salvation Army for $3.50. They were pretty well used, after a few months I had to shoegoo some parts of the sole, but they are so soft! Unfortunately all the new Jaspers have garish color accents, mine are nice and all blue-grey. I wouldn't recommend them for biking though, unless new ones have significantly stiffer soles. Mine are like moccasins.
Keen Austin Pedal Bike Shoes - Men's - REI.com
#10
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,163
Likes: 6,383
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Keen shoes are bulky on the outside, so they look a size or two bigger than they are. I like them because the toe boxes are oversized.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#12
Keepin it Wheel




Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,964
Likes: 5,222
From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
Conversely, enough pedal surface area spreads pressure sufficient to make any shoe a commuting cycling shoe.
In both cases though, people with out-turned feet (like me) need to also control heel strike. I take a box-cutter to old running shoes and remove the inside flare of the heel. And use 20mm pedal extenders. And position my feet a little outboard. Yes my feet basically go sideways.
In both cases though, people with out-turned feet (like me) need to also control heel strike. I take a box-cutter to old running shoes and remove the inside flare of the heel. And use 20mm pedal extenders. And position my feet a little outboard. Yes my feet basically go sideways.
#13
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 919
Likes: 15
From: South Austin, Texas
Bikes: 2010 Origin8 CX700, 2003 Cannondale Backroads Cross Country, 1997 Trek mtn steel frame converted commuter/tourer, 1983 Univega Sportour, 2010 Surly LHT, Others...
Indeed, agreed. My Keen Austin Cycling shoes are my go to winter shoes in Austin, Tx. Plenty of room for wool socks, including toe box. Wore these through the Ohio winter of 2014 (cold one w/ lots of snow) and they served me just fine as winter cycling shoes while I was working up there. Rode in temps down to -10F or so a couple of times. Kept wool on the feet and beeswax on the leather.
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