Verdict from 2 experts and +100 user reviews
8 reasons to buy
- Users in droves couldn’t admire this sandal’s amount of comfort strong enough.
- The KEEN Rose elicited much praise from a considerable number of wearers for its irresistibly posh looks.
- This strappy hiker left a dozen of owners impressed with its versatility.
- A good percentage of hiking enthusiasts found the sandal’s toe guard very protective, despite its rather minimalistic build.
- Dozens of verified purchasers found the sandal’s arch support quite excellent.
- Based on a tiny fraction of consumer reviews, this KEEN footwear requires no breaking in.
- A couple of users considered the sandal’s quick-drying feature a definite plus.
- The Rose gained a recommendation from a professional gear reviewer for its superb traction, whether on dry ground or wet terrain.
3 reasons not to buy
- This KEEN hiking sandal’s hook and loop fasteners deeply disappointed numerous owners for coming off after only several months of regular use.
- Quite a number of those who bought this product were put off upon discovering that its ankle strap may not be loosened only tightened.
- This multi-sport sandal has tight ankle straps, according to a very few.
Bottom line
The Rose by KEEN is a love letter to those looking for an awe-inspiringly fashionable sandal that radiates with feminine beauty and versatility. It is easy to be entranced by its fantastically inspired design. Glamour isn’t just the sandal’s A-game as it also greatly delivers on comfort, fit, and toe protection.
However, it doesn’t come without some criticisms—most glaring among them is its reportedly substandard hook and loop fasteners. Overall, with the allegedly problematic Velcro-like strap out of the equation, the Rose is an elegant hiker that stuns.
Tip: see the best hiking sandals.
Expert reviews:
- 57/100 by OutdoorGearLab
- 90/100 by Barking Dog Shoes
User reviews:
- 4.5/5 by Amazon (+5000)
- 4.4/5 by Amazon UK (+1000)
- 4.3/5 by Zappos (+1000)
- 4.5/5 by REI (+100)
- 5/5 by Swim Outlet (3)
- 5/5 by SportsShoes (3)
- 5/5 by Wiggle
Good to know
-The KEEN Rose has an overall, flower-like design. Its washable polyester webbing upper and hydrophobic mesh liner make it water ready.
-Providing users with adequate underfoot protection and shock absorption is the sandal’s EVA midsole. Its built-in, arch-supportive Metatomical footbed is imbued with Cleansport NXT—a proprietary anti-odor technology. Giving wearers ample grip over rugged trails, on the other hand, is the Rose’s non-marking rubber outsole.
KEEN’s Rose is a closed-toe, fairly true-to-size hiker specially made for women. Its interior is contoured around a female-specific last. It comes in B – standard width and may be had in a number of whole and half sizes. Achieving a personalized fit is possible via the sandal’s adjustable hook and loop closure system.
KEEN engineers opted for a non-marking rubber outsole with the Rose. Its surface is laden with wrinkly protrusions (a.k.a. lugs) that bite into uneven terrain for footing security. It has an extension that goes all the way up to the tip of the hiking sandal’s forefoot section, safeguarding wearers from injury-causing frontal impacts.
Stability, cushioning, and shock absorption are all supplied by the Rose’s EVA midsole. EVA, or ethylene-vinyl acetate, makes this chunky layer not just comfortable but also durable and stress resistant. Encased within it is a TPU shank—a supplementary component that doubles down on support and stability. Additional underfoot cushioning, on the other hand, is care of the sandal’s non-removable Metatomical footbed.
The KEEN Rose’s webbing upper is both tough and quick drying as it is made of polyester. Making it more washer-friendly is its hydrophobic mesh lining. Its synthetic ankle strap is made adjustable thanks to the stitched-on hook and loop fasteners.
-Shoppers looking for more sandal choices from the brand can take a look at the KEEN Whisper and Clearwater CNX.
How Rose compares
