What Are the Best Shoes?

Ah, shoes. I love 'em! I have been opinionated about shoes for a long time. Going back some three decades.

A few shoe company's have been my favorite over the years. As you might imagine, the criteria have changed as time has passed. Today, there is no one shoe model I love most. Rather, it is a brand -- a very cool brand, I might add. And the brand I adore -- the main reason I adore them is they strive to make functional shoes for people who want to get outdoors, and take good care of the outdoors at the same time -- calls itself a footwear company (and not a shoe company). I know, I know. That's all branding, but I love these shoes.

So, what are the best shoes?

IMO, the best shoes are "Keens" -- shoes made by Keen Footwear.

• The shoes are great in the outdoors.
• They look cool!
• Keen strives to follow a sustainable business model.
• All pairs of Keens offer two great, fundamental features -- comfy, odor fighting, patented footbeds, and killer protection for your toes (a handy hiking feature).

• Discounted Keens are hard to find.
• The company's trail running shoes all leave something to be desired (but the perfect trail running shoe is a tall order).
• Some say the wide toe box found in most Keen shoes is too wide (I loved it after about an hour of getting used to it).