Founded in 2017, Kizik makes hands-free sneakers that eliminate the need to bend down or make adjustments when putting on shoes. But you'd never know just by looking at them.
To achieve this effect, the shoes have an integrated stabilizer at the back of the heel so they don't buckle under your foot as you slip into them. They also use tongues that are connected to the interior of the shoes so they don't move around or cause discomfort. This is supposed to make it easy for everyone to wear, whether you have specific mobility needs or you simply like the convenience.
Kizik isn't the only brand to employ technology like this, but it was one of the first to popularize it more widely. The brand's unique appeal relies highly on its aesthetics and sizing; almost all of its shoes have laces, so they just look like regular sneakers, and many of its styles also come in an inclusive range of sizes and widths.
We tested several pairs of Kizik shoes to see if they feel comfortable all day after being so easy to put on. Spoiler alert: they are! In our Kizik reviews below, you'll find our favorite styles for both adults and kids.
Kizik Athens 2 for men
As a collector of many '90s basketball sneakers, I've had my fair share of shoes that are painstakingly hard to put on (Charles Barkley, I'm looking at you!). While I've put up with the struggle for the nostalgia and aesthetic, it is so refreshing to find shoes that have a similar vibe with none of the frustration. The Kizik Athens 2 is without a doubt the easiest sneaker to put on — and it can be done completely hands-free while they're fully laced.
Of course, I've loosened laces to slip my feet into other shoes, but I always find myself pulling the heel on or having to adjust the tongue. With these, I can just step in and go because the heel is structured enough, and the tongue of the shoes doesn't slip around. I also found them to be comfortable and stylish. These are my new go-to sneakers when comfort and convenience are the top priorities. — Amir Ismael, style editor
Kizik Athens 2 for women
As someone who hates tying their shoes, I've been very intrigued by Kizik shoes. I overpronate, so a stability sneaker is crucial. While Kizik doesn't market any of its shoes specifically for pronators, the Athens sneaker has one of the widest and cushiest bases of Kizik's offerings, so that's what I opted for. I love the hands-free entry — that alone is enough to get me to reach for this shoe over other options.
While I hate tying my shoes out of laziness, there's no denying that this design is a huge accessibility perk for anyone who has trouble or isn't able to tie their shoes. I find this pair very comfortable, but not quite as supportive as I'd like for stability. I'll still be opting for my On Clouds for super long walks, but I love these shoes for more casual activity and day-to-day wear. — Lauren Savoie, former deputy editor
Kizik Squeeze It
Any parent knows just how hard it can be to get a pair of shoes on a toddler, especially if they're not cooperating. The Kizik Squeeze It sneakers are designed to take the hassle out of putting shoes on your little one, and they work exactly as they should. You simply squeeze the sides of the shoes, and your kid can easily step into the shoes, securing them on their feet.
Aside from how easily they go on, the design is wide and roomy to allow your kids to move around without bunched up toes. My 2-year-old son has a lot of sneakers to choose from, but since getting his Kiziks, he often asks to wear his "new blue shoes." The only downside is that they come off rather easily, too. There have been a few times I've put him in the car seat to find he's taken his shoes off while I was driving. — Amir Ismael, former style editor
Kizik Monaco
I'm a big fan of the Kizik Monaco sneakers because of the retro styling. With cut-and-sewn panels, hits of suede, and gum rubber outsoles, they can be styled just as easily as some of the more popular sporty sneakers out there.
I tested these after wearing the Athens 2 sneakers for a while, and I was happy to find out that they go on just as easily. The hands-free technology is impressively integrated into the design. You'd have absolutely no idea these sneakers could be slipped into just by looking at them, especially with a traditional tongue and lacing system. — Amir Ismael, former style editor
Kizik Lima
My husband has the widest feet of anyone I know. Even most brands' extra wide (4E) feels tight on him, so I was curious how he'd fare in Kizik's 4E offering. "I was struggling even with extra wides from other shoe brands, and these immediately felt more comfortable," he told me. "I can see this being someone's perfect weekend shoe, though honestly, the fact that they fit my wide feet is the biggest selling point to a fella like me."
He typically clocks 10,000 steps or more a day and did note that the Kizik Limas are very comfortable, but less supportive than his Brooks Ghost Max 3s. I hope Kizik eventually offers extra wide in its other styles, because it's been such a pleasure to see him find a pair that actually fits him comfortably. —Lauren Savoie, former deputy editor
Kizik Juno 2
The Juno 2 boots have a hands-free design that still works despite the tall boot shaft. These winter boots are great to keep by the door if you're frequently stepping in and out through all kinds of weather. They save you from having to deal with finicky laces each time you gear up, as you would with Bean Boots.
They feel more like sneakers than snow boots, according to freelance style contributor Talia Ergas. "The cushioned footbeds makes thee Juno boots comfortable for long walks, and they never felt clunky or awkward while moving," she writes. "The outsole also provides excellent traction, which helped me feel stable on uneven, wintry terrain, including icy sidewalks.
They're also impressively warm. "Inside, the boots are fully lined with 400 grams of thermal insulation (sort of like a puffer coat for your feet), which kept me warm all day while I trekked outdoors the day after a snowstorm," continues Talia. "For hours, my feet stayed comfortable without cold spots or drafts."
The bottom line
In an oversaturated sneaker market, Kizik stands out by addressing a real need. The hands-free design isn't a gimmick — it simplifies the process of putting on shoes, while still feeling incredibly comfortable to wear all day. They're not the most supportive footbeds we've ever tried, but they still have more heel structure than most slip-on shoes.
Whether you're simply over tying your shoes or you have mobility challenges that make putting on shoes difficult, Kizik is a solid option we stand behind (well, in).
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@jkmperu.com.
