Gadling gear review: Keen Howser Wool Shoes

by Kraig Becker on

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to wear a sleeping bag on your feet? That’s exactly how Keen bills their Howser Wool slippers, which are designed to be comfortable and warm, both at home or while out and about around town. The shoes more than live up to that billing and make an excellent option for travelers as well.

In designing the Howser Wool slippers, Keen incorporated recycled quilted felt on the outside and super-comfortable microfleece on the inside. The former gives the shoes a unique look that is all their own, while the latter plays a big part in making these slippers something you’ll want to wear everywhere you go. Of course, no shoe dubbed a “slipper” would seem like something you’d want to wear out in the elements, but the Howser’s rubber outsole gives them an unexpected ruggedness that makes them perfect footwear for all kinds of environments.

Travelers will appreciate that the Howser slippers are lightweight and very packable, making them a great choice whenever you’re hitting the road. Better yet, they are very easy to slip on and off, which is much appreciated when passing through TSA checkpoints at the airport. The fact that they are warmer than their weight would imply only adds to their versatility, and the memory foam footbed molds itself to your feet, making them more comfortable over time.

In my mind, Keen has built the perfect pair of casual shoes. After all, who wouldn’t want to wear a pair of comfy slippers all day long? I love how lightweight these shoes are, while still keeping my feet warm and dry in winter weather. Because of this fantastic combination of qualities, I find myself regularly slipping into my pair of Howsers without even thinking about it. Whether I’m running to the store to pick up groceries, or heading to the airport to catch a plane, these slippers have become a favorite option for footwear.

With a price tag of just $65, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more comfortable shoe for the money, and I think you’ll discover that it won’t take long for them to become one of your favorite pair of shoes too.

Keen Airport Way – TSA checkpoint friendly laptop backpack

by Scott Carmichael on

In the outdoor world, Keen may be better known for their amazing footwear, but they also offer an impressive array of bags. One of the newest bags in that lineup is the Airport Way – a stylish checkpoint friendly laptop bag.

The Airport Way is larger than your average school backpack, but it is clearly designed to hold more than just a couple of books and pens. The outer dimensions are 11.5 x 20 x 8 inches, but despite its size, the bag weighs in at just 2.7 pounds. The inner space is immense – after popping a laptop inside it, there is still plenty of space of a couple of days of clothes and other small items.

The inner storage is well designed, and both the front and main compartment has been filled with pockets, pouches and other handy features. On the bottom of the bag is a large non-slip rubber pad.

To use the TSA portion, you simply flip the backpack straps to the front, unzip the rear and unfold it. The straps have to be out of the way because of the TSA rules for laptop bags – if you want to keep your laptop inside its bag, nothing may obstruct the X-Ray machine. The whole process takes under ten seconds to unzip and re-zip. I tried the laptop portion with various computers, and found them all to fit well up to around 16″.

The rear features padded shoulder straps, an air-mesh cushioned comfort back panel and a strap to link the shoulder straps together.

The straps and rear panel are comfortable, and the price is well in line with most other high-end checkpoint friendly backpacks. Best of all, it comes in three colors (black/grey, black/rust and navy/dark shadow). The only thing I found missing on it are side pockets for a water bottle or umbrella.

The Keen Airport Way retails for $130, and is available from Keen or one of its many retailers. I really like this bag – it lets you carry your laptop, without having to look like a suit. With its internal storage space, you can bring everything you need for a couple of days, as well as your computer. Most importantly, the bag feels extremely well made – something that easily justifies its price.

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