Keen Women's Elle Backstrap Sandals review: move from the plane to the trail to the beach in comfort
Meet the reviewer
Jack Wolfskin 3D Prelight Rise 35 backpack : first impressions
We always rate Keen's hiking sandals highly and the Elle Backstrap is no exception. With funky colors and a more classical sandal design, it might look more like a fun beach shoe than a serious contender for the trails, but between it's solid grip and all-day comfort, we'd happily wear this on any active vacation.
The foam midsole is lightweight and thick enough to absorb each step you take, while a slight rocker sole gives a smooth ride, especially for those in need of a little more ankle mobility. Three adjustable straps let your customize them to your feet while a snug fit and arch support means you'll feel pretty stable even on rougher ground.
Specifications
• List price: $110 / €100
• Gender specification: Women's
• Sizes: 5 - 11
• Weight (size 6.5 US, per shoe): 7.7 oz / 220 g
• Materials: Recycled plastic, mesh lining, foam midsole, rubber outsole
• Colors: Golden Yellow/Lichen, Cayenne/Marina, Brindle/Star White, Black/Steel Grey
• Best use: Hiking, active travel
Naturally, we're not necessarily suggesting you hike a 14er wearing these, and they don't offer as much toe protection as models like the Newport H2, but we tested them on the trails and beaches of Corsica and they're perfect for when you want to travel light on an active vacation that involves some straightforward hiking.
The rubber outsoles have decent lugs and while you don't get a lot of trail feel in these, they handle well on slick rocks and the DWR means you can get wet feet and not stay wet. We experienced out-of-the-box all-day comfort in these shoes and love that they use recycled materials and have no forever chemicals.
Keen Women's Elle Sport Backstrap Sandal: in the field
Last summer, I fell in love with hiking sandals thanks to acquiring the Keen Newport H2. I love the breathability they offer on a warm weather hike and the fact that I can get in the water without having to change into my water shoes, then keep walking.
When the Elle Backstraps showed up looking distinctly beachy, I thought it might be a while before I was able to test them out, given that we are in the midst of a never-ending winter here in Scotland. Fortunately, I recently had to head to Corsica for an active adventure and figured that it would be the perfect spot to give these a whirl on the beaches, trails and lakes.
Here’s how they performed:
Sizing and fit
I tested a US size 6.5, which is a half size up from my normal size and they're perfect on my feet. I don't have narrow or wide feet, so I didn't have to fuss around the straps much, but there's quite a good amount of customization possible with the three straps. Best of all, once I adjusted the straps to fit, I can just unstrap the heel to slide my foot in and out without having to mess around each time.
Comfort and breathability
I'm definitely a person who struggles with sandals and fashion shoes rubbing, but I was ecstatic to pull these on and know straight away that they were going to be comfortable for hours. The straps are well padded and I haven't had any chafing anywhere, nor have I experienced any of that burning sensation on the bottoms of my feet after walking for a while like you can sometimes get with sandals.
For my particular feet and gait, the arch support feels really good and while I wouldn't tackle technical terrain in these, I felt quite happy hiking in them on a well-maintained path.
Compared to some hiking sandals, that can be more closed, these ones obviously are very breathable and I didn't get sweaty feet in them either at the beach or on the plane.
Grip and stability
I made sure to test these out on a slick rocks when I did a spot of wild swimming in an icy lake and the rubber outsole and lugs are good, equally so for dirt paths. I think they can handle anything I'd be likely to try walking on in a sandal.
The midsole is really quite chunky with a decent sized drop and a bit of a rocker sole, so I was a bit worried about turning an ankle at first, but instead they deliver a nice, stable ride, even in the sand.
Protection and durability
Compared to my Newports, and some other hiking sandals, these definitely have a bit less protection so I wouldn't wear them for rockier scrambles. That said, the straps are well-placed to provide quite a bit of support around my heel and the widest part of my foot.
It's too soon to tell how long they'll hold up, but they seem to be made of the typical Keen high quality stuff. Rubber does have a tendency to wear away a bit more easily, but then again, I don't exactly plan on wearing these on long treks. Thanks to the odor-control, I don't expect to have to wash them frequently which will help prolong their lifespan.
Keen Women's Elle Sport Backstrap Sandal: the bottom line
These shoes probably won't replace your favorite hiking boots, but what they are great for is summer trips where you're anticipating time on the trails, at the beach and in the water and you don't want to have to pack extra shoes. They're grippy and comfortable enough for walking and funky enough to pair with a sundress in the evening. If you're looking for a sandal that's a bit more technical and a bit less beachy, check out the Merrell Choprock Sieve instead.
