KEEN Utility Speedworks Work Sneaker: Lightweight Safety

Keen Speedworks Work Shoes Bring Safety, Comfort, and Functionality

Keen Utility has been present on our Best Work Boots list for a number of years. The brand is particularly proficient at making comfortable, lightweight boots and other jobsite footwear. When it comes to work sneakers, one of the benefits is a smaller, lightweight design, and that’s exactly what we see in the Keen Speedworks Work Sneaker. I took them for a spin to give you my experience from a women’s footwear perspective.

Keen Speedworks Work Sneaker: Design Notes

The Keen Speedworks sneakers feature cement construction to support a lightweight design. In fact, each shoe weighs just 0.86 pounds (13.76 oz), which is impressive considering that weight includes a carbon fiber safety toe. Carbon fiber is up to 15% lighter than steel, so that contributes to the lightweight form factor.

A feature we’ve been seeing more and more lately in work shoes is a fully non-metal design. This comes in handy for those who frequently need to pass through metal detectors in high-security areas or have workplace requirements for that feature. Instead of metal lace fasteners, the laces are threaded directly through the shoe lace cage material, as well as plastic hardware toward the top of the tongue.

Speaking of material, the Speedworks also feature a mesh liner along the sides and toebox for added breathability, keeping your feet cool while you work.

Keen employs a ton of proprietary technology with all of their footwear, and several of those features are present with these sneakers. These include a Keen.ReGen+ midsole, which provides up to 60% energy return when walking, as well as Keen.LockFit heel stability to keep your feet and ankles locked in place.

Fit and Comfort

I normally wear a size 10.5 to 11 in women’s shoes, and I tested out the Speedworks in a size 11. The fit is pretty spot on, with enough room to move around in the toebox while keeping my feet and ankles secure.

Keen’s LockFit technology works in tandem with the KonnectFit heel-capture system for a secure, locked-in feel. I really noticed this the more I wore them. Even as the laces naturally became slightly loose over the course of the day, I never felt like the shoe offered any less support.

I do, however, wish that Keen offered a soft-toe version of these shoes, since those who opt for work sneakers often don’t require the same safety toe protection provided by most work boots and shoes. However, I will say that the safety toe stopped being as noticeable the more I wore the Speedworks. The lightweight design of carbon fiber is a breath of fresh air compared to a heavier steel-toe design.

Safety Features

• Heat-resistant rubber outsole rated up to 572°F
• Carbon fiber safety toe
• EH and ESR

The Keen Speedworks work sneakers are equipped with a variety of safety features we like to see in work shoes. The rubber outsoles are heat-resistant, withstanding surfaces as hot as 572°F (300°C). They’re also EH (Electrical Hazard) rated and electric shock resistant in case of accidental contact with live electrical circuits.

Colorways and Sizing

The Speedworks have several colorways for both men’s and women’s styles. The one I am reviewing is the Skyway/Black women’s option. I appreciate the brighter colors, which offer a nice contrast to the black and brown saturation dominating the work boot market.

Men’s: Sizes 7 to 15, with half sizes from 7 to 12

• Black/Steel Grey
• Magnet/Black
• Ochre/Black

Women’s: Sizes 5 to 11, with half sizes from 5 to 10

• Skyway/Black
• Thistle/Black

Keen Speedworks Work Sneaker Price

These shoes retail for $145 for both men’s and women’s styles, and you can find them directly through Keen. Select sizes are also available on Amazon. Keen backs your purchase with a 30-day trial and free returns, so if it’s not the right fit, there’s no fuss.

The Bottom Line

There are many reasons why you’d opt for a work sneaker instead of a work boot, and Keen nailed all of them on the head with the Speedworks shoes. They deliver plenty of airflow and offer impressive safety and comfort levels. The main draw is their lightweight design, which is supported by a plethora of Keen’s other technologies to make these sneakers an enjoyable wear.

If you work in fields like manufacturing, distribution, retail, or other jobs that keep you on hard surfaces most of the day, the Keen Speedworks Work Sneakers can help you avoid the hassles of bulkier work boots.