Not Martha
← →

thing I like: Teva Kayenta sandals

The very first time I wore these sandals Scott and I played hookey on a weekday, took a long bike ride, pushed our bicycles three blocks up an impressively steep hill to get barbecue and beer (worth it!) and biked all the way back home. Never once did I notice my sandals, they worked like I’d spent a summer breaking them in. I have fussy old lady feet and annoyingly tender skin so this lack of a breaking in period was amazing.

I bought these to work as a comfortable, functional sandal that doesn’t look too sporty. (At least not here in Seattle where we tend to look like we’re just coming back from a Class 2 hike and/or a shopping spree at REI.) I’ve been surprised at the number of times women stop to ask me where I got them.

The straps on top look decorative but offer distributed support so none of the areas rub or pinch. The sole of these shoes is all business with lightweight and very flexible rubber, you can bend your foot all the way to stand on tippy toe without the shoe giving any trouble. The straps around the ankle aren’t so high that they hit underneath my ankle and they are adjustable with velcro, this is a rare exception to my zero-Velcro tolerance.

There are a few versions of the Kayenta. I have the Kayenta Suede and the Kaytenta Studded. The suede version will probably stand up to getting wet but not soaked. It’s a nice black all over look and the logo is subtle, the sole is lined in suede. The studded version has dark gray rubber soles and the pattern in the straps is actually metallic gold, something that doesn’t come across in the pictures online. The Kayenta and Kaytenta Studded have fabric straps lined with leather. Both the Suede and Studded versions are equally comfortable to me, though I did buy one pair at size 7 and the other at size 7.5 so it’s worth trying a few sizes to be sure. As you can tell I’m really really happy with these and recommend them if you’re looking for an everyday summer sandal that you can walk (and bike) miles in.

· comments [12] · 06-6-2013 · categories:shopping ·

12 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Amy P // Jun 6, 2013 at 7:10 pm

    I’ve been lusting after these sandals since 2008 when I saw other tourists wearing them in Europe. Do they go on/off easily? I have a toddler and an infant so I was considering Birkenstocks for the slip-on factor, but I still like the look of these more.

  • 2 megan // Jun 6, 2013 at 7:16 pm

    Amy – I have got the ankle straps to a point where I can wiggle my feet into the sandals without needing to undo the velcro. It’s a little more work than sliding into Birkenstocks, but I walk out of slip on sandals all the time so I consider it a trade off.

  • 3 heathre // Jun 7, 2013 at 8:56 am

    thank you! i’ve been looking for a replacement for my beloved merrell san remos, so i’ll have to check these out…

  • 4 sara // Jun 7, 2013 at 11:30 am

    I LOVE tevas! I don’t have this particular style, but I have a few of their sandals and two pairs of their tall boots. All of them last forever and are really comfortable (and I am SO picky about comfy shoes). Love!

  • 5 Jennifer O. // Jun 7, 2013 at 12:14 pm

    These look really nice – I think I could get away with the suede ones at work. I’ve gotten way pickier about shoes since I moved to DC and walk so much. Also I have bunions so strap placement is very important. It looks like these would work well.

  • 6 kairu // Jun 7, 2013 at 11:29 pm

    Those sandals are super cute, but what I want to know is where did you get those jeans? Am desperate for a pair of cropped/cuffed jeans that are a little looser than the skinny capris (on me, ankle-length) that I’ve been wearing lately.

  • 7 megan // Jun 8, 2013 at 12:45 am

    Kairu – These are simply Old Navy jeans in the short length that have been rolled up. These are the Sweetheart bootcut. I’m also looking for some summer jeans so I’ll let you know if I find anything I like!

  • 8 Amanda // Jun 8, 2013 at 2:39 pm

    I just bought my umpteeth pair of these, and I agree, they are super comfortable from day one, and they are great for walking without looking too sporty. I’m so glad you wrote about them – I love your “Thing I Like” entries.

  • 9 Julie. // Jun 10, 2013 at 5:09 am

    I have fussy feet too and always love your shoe reviews! I’ve been amazed at some teva summer shoes I’ve had over the years (after swearing I’d never wear tevas because everyone had those awful sandal things in college). Also I bought the teva boots you recommended a while back and they are AMAZING.

  • 10 megan // Jun 10, 2013 at 12:20 pm

    I continue to like Teva, even after they discontinued the awesome flip-flop sandals that didn’t go between the toes. I will wear out all my hoarded pairs some day and be sad.

  • 11 Elizabeth Louros // Jun 10, 2013 at 3:55 pm

    Bought two pairs ( each a different size so I can try on ) on Amazon this morning for me trip this weekend to Costa Rica. About $63 a pair so a good deal.

  • 12 Roberta Anderson // Jun 12, 2013 at 9:33 am

    Thanks for recommending the Kayenta sandals. I was looking for something comfortable to take on vacation and after reading your recommendation, purchased the Kayenta Studded. Very cute and very comfortable!

Leave a Comment