Summer footwear

By Vicky Let's talk about feet for a minute. Kids' feet. Kids' feet in the summer. It's so hard to get it right. It's too hot for socks with running shoes. Crocs are a good option, but not great for running in. Some summer camps require closed toed shoes so flip flops are out of the question, not to mention they hurt little toes.  And what if it rains? Again too hot for rainboots, but sandles can get slippery.

I have a solution. The Keen. (No, not as in Capital Keen). A cool name, for a cool shoe.

I first heard of Keens last summer when I saw them on Lara's feet. (Yes! They make adult sizes too!) Then I saw them on her son Kiernan's feet. I would have bought some for Joel but we had already bought his summer sandals.

So what are they? Footwear that offers the support and protection of a shoe, with the breathability of a sandal. They have a rubber toe guard, and an antibacterial lining. No laces or buckles, they have a quick-lock toggle system (much like a bungee cord). They have excellent traction on wet surfaces, and can even be worn in the water!

Why did we buy them? I liked the fact that they were easy to put on (like Crocs) but more sturdy and durable. I liked that Joel could wear them to run around at the park like a running shoe, but that they would also work while playing at a splash pad. Also, I asked him what kind of shoe he would like, and he picked the Keens!

They retail for around $59.99, but are well worth the money. We got our Keens at Kiddy Kobbler Place D'Orleans (follow them on Twitter @KKPlacedOrleans)

Vicky is the mom to 4.5 year old son named Joel and 2 year old daughter named Mieka. You can read her blog at blog Some Kind of Mom. She is also an Independent Stylist with Peekaboo Beans. Visit her on Facebook for more information, www.facebook.com/ottawabeans