Why am I discovering these shoes?

In December, I was contacted by Kizik to see if I wanted to see a pair of their shoes again during CES 2022. Unfortunately, I couldn’t do CES this year, but the company sent me a pair of Kizik Athens for me to check out. Anyone who’s been to CES knows the value of a good pair of shoes. You can walk for miles at CES, and taking good care of your feet is essential.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Every December, I always buy a new pair of shoes in preparation for CES, and I was surprised I had never heard of Kizik before. The company’s claim to fame is the ability to put on these shoes without tying them up or bending over. Let’s be honest here; I think a lot of us have done this in our current shoes and have pretty much crushed the back ends where they no longer support our ankles. I know I have. So I was intrigued by the Kizik Athens and wanted to see if it actually worked. Read on for the review!

Characteristics

• HandsFree Labs® patented shoe entry technology
• Breathable, removable and washable contoured insoles
• Ridiculously comfortable Rabbit Foam ™ outsole to stay upright on your feet all day long.
• Solid rubber outsole wear pads for added traction
• Adjustable lacing for a perfect fit every time for all sizes
• Available in sizes 4.5 – 15 and width EE
• Clean with a damp cloth, mild soap and water. Pat dry after cleaning. Do not soak.

What’s in the box

Design

The Kizik Athens has a clean and simple design that I really like. The mesh upper is breathable and keeps my feet cool, but I’m concerned that this material will absorb spills and stains more easily than other materials. You can clean them with a damp cloth, mild soap, and water, but you can’t just throw them in the washing machine.

The insoles are washable so you can throw them in the washing machine, and that’s a plus. The outsole is made of something called Rabbit Foam and appears to be solid while providing good support. The “Rubber Traction Pods” at the bottom are pretty and I like that their design leaves no room for rocks to find a place to rest.

The laces are adjustable, so they’re not just there for the show; you can tighten the shoe a bit more if you want. I love the way the tongue is sewn into the upper and not just left to float. The rear trellis-shaped rubber material is part of “HandsFree Labs technology” which allows you to put them on without bending over or struggling with them.

I’m not quite sure what’s inside this tech, but the design works. I was skeptical, but I was able to put them on without a problem and without the back of the shoe being crushed. I put them on and take them out dozens of times to see if I could possibly miss or crush the shoe, but they slipped off without a problem.

Overall, the design of the Kizik Athens is exceptional. I mentioned that you can’t throw them in the washing machine, but there are plenty of other shoes you can’t do that with either. I think this particular color that I have will show dirt and wear out faster than darker colors. At least you can wash them on the surface; it’s useful.

Ease of use

I should think I could handle a pair of shoes at this point in life. Okay, so the shoes aren’t difficult to use. Most shoes are easy to use. The Kizik Athens aims to make shoes even easier to use, and they are doing it.

I’m guilty of leaving my shoes tied and putting them on as I rushed for the door. Most of the time, the backs of my shoes look like they’ve been run over by a car. Over time, this makes the shoe less durable, and it doesn’t look that good either.

The Kizik Athens has this technology that allows you to slide your foot into it while pressing down on the back, but the back regains its shape. I warn you, trying them on for the first time is addicting, and you’ll put them on and take them off at least two dozen times before you’re satisfied.

Overall, the Kizik Athens is very easy to use and the technology the company uses here does what it claims to do.

Comfort

Comfort is a very subjective thing. I have flat feet so it’s hard to find something comfortable for me. These shoes fit well and the 11.5 I ordered fit me perfectly. Due to my flat feet, my foot is also slightly wider than average.

I ordered a size 11.5 but decided not to order the full width because often the widths are too wide. It was a good call because they fit perfectly. There is plenty of room for the width of my foot, and the length is perfect too. The mesh material also keeps things cool which will be nice for the summer.

The sockliner and soles are sturdy and provide good support and a nice, plush ride. Ankle support is good; it could be better, but it’s not horrible, and it’s subjective and based on how your feet and ankles are built.

Overall, I feel like I would be in good hands at CES with these shoes on. I think they would have taken the punishment like a champ.

Prize value

Priced at US $ 119, Kizik Athens doesn’t come cheap. I think they are worth every penny and provide great value and convenience to the user.

Conclude

I think the Kizik Athens are fabulous shoes. They’re well-designed and comfortable, and I love that I can put them on without worrying about breaking the back ends. They are expensive, but most good shoes are, and I think that price is fair and competitive in the market. I can recommend Kizik shoes, but remember that shoes are a very personal and subjective buying choice. Hopefully this review can at least guide you to a choice.

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Last updated January 11, 2022.

Kizik Athens

US $ 119

Nailed it

• Nice minimalist design
• Breathable upper keeps feet cool
• Washable inserts
• Easy to put on
• Comfortable with lots of space
• Adjustable lacing

Need work

• Some colors can get dirty easily and you can’t throw them in the washer
• The price may be too high for some