It seems like I've been hearing about Keen sandals from everybody recently, including a bunch of our customers. Their outdoor adventure sandals get so many rave reviews, that I simply had to buy a pair and try them out myself.

I opted for a pair of the Keen Balboa sport sandals, because I liked the look of the design. It's a bit lighter on the strap-work than some of the others, and they still looked like sturdy enough hiking sandals to handle plenty of outdoor activity. I was looking forward to wearing something cooler than my trusty hiking boots as the weather warms up, too.

In reading other people's experiences, I found quite a few people who said they had to order Keen sport sandals a half-size different than their normal shoe size. The only problem was that some needed a half-size smaller, and others needed a half-size bigger! What's a person to do? I waffled on that one, and went straight down the middle, ordering my normal shoe size.

Sure enough, when the package arrived, the sandals were a half size too big. No worries, though, since that gave me a chance to try out Shoes.com's claims of a hassle-free, no-cost returns policy. Now I'm not a person who returns much, just because the hassle and time usually doesn't seem worthwhile. But in this case, they really did make it easy. I just entered the return info online, printed out a pre-paid mailing label on the computer, and dropped the package off for free at the post office.

So... A bit more waiting, and I finally got the shoes in the perfect size for me! Now the fun begins...

First impressions:

The shoes seem to be well contructed. Everything looks sturdy, durable, and well-put together. There's nothing that seems flimsy or skimpy at all. They give the impression of being shoes that someone put a lot of thought and care into.

There's a single strap closure over the top of your foot, with a velcro closure. The toe guard is pretty heavy duty, and could certainly save a little swearing and hopping around if you hit a rock!

The footbed is anatomically shaped, and says it's anti-odor, though I don't normally find that to be an issue with sandals. The bottom sole has rugged treads, and will be able to hold up its end of the deal on a hike.

Wearing them:

They're comfortable! The contoured footbed fit my feet well, and there is cushioning that keeps your feet happier if you're pounding the pavement for awhile.

The inside of the straps is a smooth microfiber material, and it's made so there are no bumps, lumps or seams that can rub and create an irritated hot spot. No breaking in was required, and I had no problems with blisters.

The one downside is that single-strap closure. The shoes fit me well in the back of the foot, but are a bit wide at the front. With the single-strap adjustment across the top, there is no way to fine-tune the fit at the front. The next pair I buy (and I do foresee another pair!), I'd probably opt for a model more like the Keen Newport H2, where the strap arrangement lets you tighten up the front of the hiking sandals too.

All in all, I'm loving these Balboa hiking sandals so far. It's too soon to judge the durability, but my guess is that I'll put a good number of miles on them, and they'll accompany me on some cool adventures!

My rating (out of 5): 4****

Pros:

• Quality construction
• Sturdy, and seem like they'll be durable
• Toe guards protect against stubbed toes
• Soles are rugged, with good traction
• Molded footbed fits the foot very well, quite comfortable
• Smooth interior, with no seams or rub spots
• Free returns worked painlessly

Cons:

• Sizing may be different than your normal shoe size
• The front part of the shoe is not adjustable

Good for:

• Walking or hiking in warm weather
• Anywhere you might get your feet wet, like stream crossings