Keen's Uneek sandals feature a woven cord design, a metatomical footbed and Cleansport NXT for odor protection.
The Uneek's certainly live up to their name, but 'why reinvent the wheel?' I hear you ask, we asked the same question when we first saw them.
The interlocking cords look like they could be abrasive which isn't good on a pair of sandals. Bizarrely though the Uneeks are very comfortable to wear, with or without socks. The lacing system pulls the soft and stretchy cords over and around the shape of your foot, forming around it much better than mesh or leather, which would simply bunch or fold. The way that the cords have been attached to each other allows for lateral movement which feels like a much more natural way to design shoes, ok we're starting to get it.
So, the cords are a big hit but what of the rest of the sandal? Keeping your foot firmly in place is obviously a key item on the agenda for the Uneeks, pair the heel cup with the well-designed upper and lacing system and you get very little heel slip, something that can be quite hard to achieve in a shoe like sandal. Inside, the EVA footbed is more trainer than flip flop with pronounced arch support, clearly Keen know their stuff when designing comfortable footwear and it shows here. The outsole isn't what you would call 'aggressively lugged' but is rubberised and has good enough traction for general travel and sight-seeing duties.
The easy breathing nature of these sandals is given a boost by Keen's Cleansport NXT treatment which helps them stay fresher for longer, perfect for hot climates.
Overall the Uneeks feel like a comfy pair of trainers with added breathability and funky style points so they get a big thumbs up from us.
