Kizik Athens 2 review

The Kizik Athens 2 is built around one idea: you should be able to put your shoes on without using your hands. Its patented HandsFree Labs Cage heel compresses as you step in, then snaps back and locks the heel in place. Kizik calls the Athens 2 its best seller, and the rest of the shoe is set up for walking: a super-soft, high-rebound foam midsole, a rocker sole for smooth heel-to-toe roll, a rubber outsole with flex grooves, an engineered mesh upper and a padded comfort collar. It comes in Standard and Wide EE widths and is HSA/FSA accepted. The page showed a 4.4 rating from 1,853 reviews, and Kizik offers free shipping and returns. What it lacks is published detail: there is no weight, drop or podiatry certification on the page, and at $139.95 it costs more than the Skechers pick.

Who it is for

people who want to step in without bending down

Price

$139.95 for the men's Athens 2.

Sale price $139.95
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 13, 2026.

Key features

• HandsFree Labs Cage heel compresses, springs back and locks for a secure fit
• Super-soft, high-rebound foam midsole
• Rocker sole for heel-to-toe roll through
• Engineered mesh upper and padded comfort collar
• Standard and Wide EE widths; HSA/FSA accepted

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Hands-free step-in with no laces to touch
• Strength: Rated 4.4 from 1,853 reviews on the product page
• Strength: Free shipping and returns with a risk-free trial
• Weakness: Kizik does not list weight or drop on the product page
• Weakness: No published arch-support or podiatry certification
• Weakness: Costs $39.95 more than the Skechers GO WALK model

Key facts

• Price: $139.95
• Entry: Hands-free Cage heel
• Sole: Rocker sole, rubber outsole with flex grooves
• Widths: Standard, Wide EE
• Rating: 4.4 from 1,853 reviews

Where it ranks

Kizik Athens 2 is No. 4 in our Best Walking Shoes verdict.