Our verdict
The Keds Kickstart Pennant shows that Keds, as one of the oldest brands out there, simply knows how to launch a winning design. The baseball-themed design of Keds Kickstart Pennants is eye-catching and something new, and many users agree. The shoes also boast of a comfy construction, a high-quality make, and a perfect fit width-wise. Add a very low price point into the mix, and you’ve got one heck of a deal.
Pros
- Right-out-of-the-box comfort
- Fun and sporty style
- Fit (width) is just right
- Functional
- Collects compliments
- Well-made
- Well worth the money
- Easy to clean
- Durable
Cons
- Runs big
Fun and sporty style
updated 6 Jun 2023:
- You are into sneakers that feature Ortholite footbeds that keep your feet comfy and smelling fresh.
- You want a comfortable shoe that is made up of durable parts.
Size and fit
Keds Kickstart Pennant shoes are a women’s exclusive. The measurements offered for these athleisure kicks range from 5 to 11 with some half sizes until 9.5. The sizing for the kicks run big although the fit is spot on. Some users recommend going down a half size to a full size for a more accurate measurement.
There is usually a 1.5 size difference between men’s and women’s shoe sizes. However, since these kicks run large, men who wish to sport them may opt to only go up by one size or just a half from their regular shoe measurement.
The fit can be adjusted using the round laces in the shoes’ six-eyelet lacing system.
Style of the Keds Kickstart Pennant
Never strike out again with these on your feet. The clean sporty styling of these kicks makes it easy to style them with just about everything in your everyday wardrobe.
Take the shoes to the games by pairing them with tattered jeans and a short-sleeved sweatshirt. They’d also look good with a t-shirt dress for going out with friends. You can also do denim shorts and a blouse. The list is endless.
Kickstart Pennant sneakers are offered in two colorways: off-white canvas with red stitching on the side or blue denim ticking with white stitches.
Notable Features
Fans of America’s favorite pastime will agree that these baseball-inspired kicks are indeed striking. And no, we meant striking as in ”impressive,” not the other baseball meaning. The curved baseball-stitching on the side immediately attracts attention, particularly in the white colorway with its red stitch accents.
But shoes should not rely on excellent styling alone. We’re happy to say that in this case, Keds does not. Kickstart Pennant shoes feature Ortholite footbeds that are treated with odor-blocking and anti-microbial tech that keep your feet comfy and smelling fresh.
History of the Keds Kickstart Pennant
Keds was founded in 1916 by the U.S. Rubber Company. Initially, the company wanted to use Peds, which means feet in Latin, but someone else was already using it, so the business decided to go with Keds, a Native American word that means moccasins.
The brand’s first design is the Champion, which is considered to be the first mass-marketed sneaker with a canvas upper. By the early 1920s, these were being worn by amateur to pro athletes, from college-level ones to Olympians.
Keds decided to diversify in 1949 by introducing a line of sneakers designed solely for athletes. The company called this Pro-Keds and kept the Keds line as a women’s only range.
From the 1950s up, Keds enjoyed immense popularity with the female shoe market for its clean and minimalistic footwear that you can style with anything. It also helped that Keds had brand endorsers such as Taylor Swift and Mischa Barton pushing its products.
In 2016, Keds rolled out the Kickstart silhouette. This canvas model was so successful that they soon released other iterations such as the Kickstart Pennant and a few collabs.
Additional Info
- Keds Kickstart Pennant shoes feature durable canvas uppers, textile linings, and textured rubber outsoles.
- Each shoe (not pair) weighs about 283 grams.
