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Product Showdown

aka Shoe-Jitsu, Shoe-mo Wrestling, Shoe Duel, and a number of other witty names we couldn't decide on.

Keen Charleston Lace

Battle Stats

  • Total Wins: 35
  • Total Losses: 21
  • Wins vs. Competitor: 1
  • Sales Rank: #20002
  • Video Description View the Video Description for this product! (Please note that the color shown in the video may no longer be available.)
  • Built specifically to fit a woman's foot, the Charleston Lace is both classic and contemporary.
  • Waterproof nubuck & suede upper that hugs your foot.
  • Soft leather and moisture-wicking textile lining.
  • Metatomical EVA footbed.
  • Non-marking, direct inject PU outsole reduces adhesive use and lowers the shoe's environmental impact.
  • Weight: 10.2 oz
  • Product measurements were taken using size 7. Please note that measurements may vary by size.

Average Customer Ratings (based on 32 reviews)

Overall: (4 Stars) Comfort: (4 Stars) Style: (4 Stars)

Posted: 2008-09-12 10:41:08
Reviewer: Barbara from NYC
Overall: (4 Stars) Comfort: (4 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Start with the good stuff: this is an exceptionally handsome shoe, with the sleek, simple lines of an everyday casual rather than the goofy "design features" that deface most sneakers. The olive color is a great neutral, and the subtle orange stitching is a nice autumn touch (though it's going to be impossible to replace the olive/orange shoelaces). It's not a full fledged walking sneaker by any means. There’s not enough support or cushioning, at least not for me, but I find it comfortable for walks of a mile or so. Beyond that, I need soft arch supports and a heel cup to soften the heel strike. The strange thing is the sizing, which will not come as a surprise to anyone who has ever worn Keen shoes before. I wear a 10.5AA and have pancake-flat feet. I purchased an 11B, which was as close as Zappos had. This shoe feels like a 10 narrow. Really narrow A mystery, since the other Keens I own need padding and tight lacing to stay on my feet. I feel that I lucked out with these, but anybody who wears a true medium width is going to be unhappy unless they size up. I wish Keen would get their sizing on a consistent track so their shoes could be ordered with more confidence.
Posted: 2008-09-29 06:13:02
Reviewer: Anonymous from New York, New York
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Happy Dance for Weird Feet - I'm the world's fussiest, hardest-to-fit, hardest-to-please shoe buyer, but: I LIKE THESE SHOES A LOT. Looks: I chose the olive color, which is a single tone throughout, making the shoes look more like sleek casual shoes than clumpy sneakers. The orange stitching is a subtle accent and the olive is a great neutral that works with tan chinos, jeans and black pants. (It's going to be impossible to replace those olive-and-orange laces, though.) Fit: Keen is notorious for unreliable sizing, but these seem right on target. My feet are really too narrow for their standard B width, but the laces allow me to snug them up nicely. Great toe room. Comfort: The Keen signature footbed is pretty good, but a little more arch support would help prevent over-pronation. The insole is easily removable so I could substitute full orthotics, but instead I use a special heel/arch support that improves the fit and makes the Charleston an excellent walking shoe. Plenty of cushion and a thick rubbery sole adds to the comfort.
Posted: 2008-09-30 16:12:35
Reviewer: Anonymous from Virginia
Overall: (4 Stars) Comfort: (4 Stars) Style: (4 Stars)
Okay - not as good as my other Keens! These shoes were just okay. I thought they had very little padding between my foot and ground, though, especially when I removed the footbed and wore them with my orthotics. They looked okay, but I was worried about the suede part getting messed up - even right out of the box it was already showing wear.
Posted: 2008-10-01 14:55:39
Reviewer: Anonymous from Minnesota
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (4 Stars)
Solid, good fitting shoe - Accepts my half orthodics on top of the sole insert and still fits and ties, securely around my ankles. The sole isn't as wide as many styles are. It is a neat looking shoe. I need to wear tie shoes to have the support I need in a shoe. I so often wish they could be pretty, more dressy looking shoes. This shoe is not pretty, but it is good looking! I am happy with the shoe overall.
Posted: 2008-10-26 16:31:12
Reviewer: Janet from Fort Collins, CO
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Awesome shoe!! I have so many foot problems and I have tried so many different types of shoes to provide me the most comfort and support. I was looking for a casual shoe and was thrilled that these came in my size 12 foot! Now these are the only shoes I wear most of the time. Some days I may start out wearing a different pair but end up putting these on for comfort and support. I will look for Keen shoes in the future as they are great. Thank you!
Posted: 2008-11-03 07:48:16
Reviewer: Katie from Florida
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (4 Stars)
Walking shoe - I needed a comfortable shoe to wear around work and this filled the bill. Very supportive. Laces come up to the top of the foot.
Posted: 2008-11-09 14:05:32
Reviewer: from The Windy City
Overall: (4 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Good alternative for narrow feet! I love Keen shoes but a lot of them are too wide for my narrow feet, so I got this lace-up style and they were a great choice! I love them! They felt comfy right out of the box - no breaking in time. This is the kind of shoe you end up wearing all the time!
Posted: 2008-11-14 21:27:52
Reviewer: Kaja from Chicago
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
GREAT! The MOST COMFORTABLE non-sandal type shoes I've had in about a decade! They also look great. I got the black and like them so much I wanted to order them in another color, but Zappos no longer have any in my size. I have a long, narrow foot and the B width adjusted great because it's designed great to be adjustable. They also accommodate my 3/4 length orthotics. The sole has great traction. Almost no break in period.
Posted: 2008-11-24 07:34:41
Reviewer: from Urbana, IL
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Nice! These are a little narrower, and more stream-lined than the usual Keen shoe. They do not offer as much support, but are still way more comfortable than any shoe I have that is not named Keen. My usual size is 8.5, but as with many Keen shoes, I ordered a 9 and that was the correct size. I am not able to put my orthotics in these as they are a little too narrow for them.
Posted: 2008-11-25 08:30:56
Reviewer: Jennifer from Sonoma County, California
Overall: (4 Stars) Comfort: (4 Stars) Style: (4 Stars)
Not *perfect* - but I'm very happy with this shoe - I ordered these for work - as I needed something that would keep my feet dry if I had to walk outside in the rain. They are pretty comfortable, and decent looking (I got the brown ones). I don't particularly like the way the black part comes up and over the toe - it's not symmetrical, and it kinda bugs me. However, it's been useful as I can hit the toe of my shoe on things and not scuff up the shoe. Reasonably comfortable, I can wear them all day at work (office job - not on my feet most of the day) and be fine. Only rubs a little bit at the heel of my right foot - but that may be because that foot is a little bigger - so it fits slightly differently. Whatever the cause - it's not enough to cause discomfort, or blisters. Overall - pleased with this purchase.

Bostonian Akron

Battle Stats

  • Total Wins: 45
  • Total Losses: 49
  • Wins vs. Competitor: 0
  • Sales Rank: #1918
  • Video Description View the Video Description for this product! (Please note that the color shown in the video may no longer be available.)
  • Enjoy polished leather uppers with deep and rich finishes with the Akron from Bostonian®.
  • Quarter panel leather lining prevents irritation by keeping the feet cool and dry.
  • Leather-lined padded footbed massages the foot with each and every step.
  • Steel shank delivers support in all the right places.
  • First/Flex Construction ensures flexibility and shock absorption for all-day comfort.
  • Thermoplastic rubber (TR) outsole provides classic styling and flexibility.
  • Imported.
  • Weight: 13 oz
  • Product measurements were taken using size 8. Please note that measurements may vary by size.

Average Customer Ratings (based on 200 reviews)

Overall: (4 Stars) Comfort: (4 Stars) Style: (4 Stars)

Posted: 2000-07-27 21:43:50
Reviewer: Gene E from Port Arthur, Texas
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
My second pair! I have enjoyed my first pair of Bostonian Flex. I am going to start my second pair! It's a great shoe.
Posted: 2002-01-10 08:59:00
Reviewer: Anonymous from Georgia
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Great shoe -shopping for my 2nd pair. The most comfortable, real dress shoe I've worn. After more than two years of daily wear, I tried having mine re-soled, but it didn't work -the flexible sole is the key. 'Off to find my next pair online; the store here is out of my size...
Posted: 2002-02-09 13:36:52
Reviewer: Anonymous from New York
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Great shoe. This will be my 3rd pair. Great looking shoe, shines good, light, flexible, very comfortable for walking long distances in airports.
Posted: 2002-02-16 13:06:40
Reviewer: Anonymous from Long Beach, California
Overall: (3 Stars) Comfort: (2 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
They look great, don't they? I've had these pair of shoes for almost two months and they're really great looking. But, after a whole day of wearing them, my feet ache.
Posted: 2002-03-29 09:53:53
Reviewer: John B from York, PA
Overall: (3 Stars) Comfort: (3 Stars) Style: (4 Stars)
Look good - too long for break-in. I'm pleased with the look - they shine well, and I've received compliments. Unfortunately, I thought they would be like other Bostonians I've purchased and break in quickly. I made the mistake of wearing them on a trip and raised blisters on my heels. Now that I've worn them consistently for six weeks, they are broken in and comfortable.
Posted: 2002-04-06 13:31:15
Reviewer: R. W from Macon, GA
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Excellent shoes. My first pair is 18 months old. I sent my wife looking on the Internet and she found them in less than a minute. Got the first pair from J. C. Penneys, but they no longer carry them in the catalog. Glad to find them now!!
Posted: 2002-06-26 07:21:51
Reviewer: Anonymous from Texas
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Once again. I seem to hard on the leather sole but the shoe hold up fine. Time for my third pair.
Posted: 2002-07-26 15:32:57
Reviewer: K. H from ca
Overall: (4 Stars) Comfort: (2 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
i am just out of law school, dad and i both bought a pair to wear with our suits. they look great. we were in court all morning. with a lot of standing, back at office in afternoon during confrence call, dad knew that my feet must be hurting because his was. he was usually ok standing all day, he pulled my shoes and missaged my feet, i think i am goig to go to rockport.
Posted: 2002-10-01 14:43:40
Reviewer: Anonymous from New York, NY
Overall: (3 Stars) Comfort: (2 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
These shoes look great! However, after wearing them to work for several days my feet are killing me. 'Can't wait to get them off! They're not for anyone who has to be on their feet all day. Maybe for meetings or church.
Posted: 2003-11-04 14:37:39
Reviewer: Anonymous from Ligonier, IN
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Good strong wearable dress shoe -

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