Kizik Brisbane Hands-free Shoe Review
These new slip-on shoes from Kizik look as outstanding as they feel
Credit:
Reviewed / Kizik
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Kizik Brisbane
Pros
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Awesome slip-on design
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Variety of sizes
Cons
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Leather heel creases after wear
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When it comes to slip-on shoes, Kizik has been a perennial favorite here at Reviewed thanks to the brand's accessibility for those who, like me, struggle to tie their shoes. I tested a Kizik Athens pair a couple of years ago, and my shoe collection has never been the same. I was so impressed with their comfort, adjustability, quality construction, and genuinely hands-free experience that I have bought multiple styles since.
I even got some Kizik Kids shoes for my three able-bodied children, and they were all disappointed when they finally grew out of them. So, you'll understand why I jumped at the opportunity to try out the new Kizik Brisbane (available at Kizik) design. I was anxious to find out if they lived up to their predecessors, and I discovered some major differences in my testing.
This updated Kizik review has all you need to know.
What we like about the Kizik Brisbane
There are so many colors to choose from
The first thing that caught my eye about this particular Kizik design was its multitude of color options. I chose a bright yellow pair to accompany my red and gold Kansas City Chiefs attire, but this shoe also comes in six other leather colorways and three in suede. These aren't your boring all-one-color shoes. They are eye-catching and unique without being obnoxious. #goals
Kizik has always pushed beyond the sometimes clinical designs of other hands-free shoes. Brisbane, however, is perhaps the best example of this style-focused philosophy we've seen yet.
The Kizik slip-on design is still awesome
Brisbane's heel retains its shape no matter how many times you slip them on.
I've reviewed more than a few slip-on shoes in my day, and I always come back to my Kiziks. My foot slides in easily, and the heel bounces back every time. Every pair of tennis shoes I owned before I discovered this brand would end up with a heel that was crushed from being slipped on and off. I love that every Kizik I've tried retains its shape even after years of use. The Brisbane shoes are no exception.
I love that they still have standard shoelaces. That means they can be adjusted to the perfect fit tied in a double knot, and I never have to touch them again. So often, to be able to slip on shoes, I've had to choose shoes that were slightly too big. I can’t tell you how great it is to wear shoes that look great and fit well. The cosmetic laces may be a detractor for those who require no caretaker assistance, but just one tie should be enough to help you experience the best of Kizik.
They come in standard and wide sizes
This shoe is available in women's sizes 6 through 13 in both standard and wide widths, which may be critical for those hoping to fit Kiziks over braces or AFOs. This is a fairly inclusive range of sizes, and, considering you can also adjust the shoelaces, these shoes should fit comfortably on most people.
This particular style is not offered in the men's shoe section, but it's not an especially feminine-looking shoe, so men could certainly buy and wear them if they can convert their men's shoe size to women's.
The men's Oslo shoe is almost identical in design, but it doesn't have quite the range of color options.
The Oslo men’s shoe is very similar to the women’s Brisbane.
What we don’t like about the Kizik Brisbane
The leather heel gets creases immediately
Some creased leather is probably the only thing that could be better about these new Kizks.
The heel is designed to bounce back with abuse, but unfortunately leather does not. After only a few outings in the Brisbane shoes, the heel leather already looks creased and worn. It's not Kizik's fault that leather creases, but if you're looking for a shoe that maintains its pristine appearance for a long time, you may want to opt for a different Kizik design.
Should you buy Kizik Brisbane sneakers?
Assuming you want comfortable shoes that look great and are easy to put on… absolutely!
These shoes look great, and they offer a hands-free design that's still among the very best on the market.
I've never met a person who enjoys tying their shoes every day. But even if you are that person, Kizik Brisbanes are still very comfortable, good-looking shoes, and you can tie them if you want to. For the rest of us, whether you're disabled or not, the easy slip-on-and-off design is very useful and a much-appreciated feature. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend these shoes to anyone.
This Kizik Brisbane design adds a new sense of flair to the brand’s already impressive lineup of slip-on tennis shoes.
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