For over a year I’ve been searching diligently for a particular style of sandal, and today I thought I’d found them. I was wrong, but in the process made another, perhaps more interesting, discovery.
A while back I saw an ad for a pair of Sperry sandals in a vintage magazine. I neglected to note the date, but I’m sure it was from the late 1950s or early 60s. At any rate, the sandals were leather soles and a leather strap but with a rope thong that went between the toes. Sort of like what you see in the photo above.
I spotted these sandals the moment I entered the thrift store. It was one of those moment when the first thought of “Finally!” quickly gave way to “Close, but , no.” In other words, that little voice warned me before I even reached the rack that these were not the Sperry sandals I’d been searching for. There was a definite lack of the quality I’d expect to find in a pair of vintage Sperry shoes.
And I was right. The sandals were made by Kino, which rang a very vague bell, but which I really could not place where I’d heard of or seen them. They were leather, but the materials and the construction were obviously not high end. Still, they were cute summer thongs, in a style I’ve been wanting and they were very lightly worn.
So why didn’t I buy them? They were too big.
I was curious enough to see what I could find out about them, and a quick Google did not disappoint. Kinos are made in Key West, by the same family that has been making them since 1966.
Roberto “Kino” Lopez had owned a shoe factory in Cuba, which he left behind in 1962 when he left the island and the Castro regime. Four years later he took his savings and a small business loan and opened a small shoe making factory in Key West. The sandals are made by hand, using the same styles and patterns they have been making for three generations now. You can watch as the craftspeople make the sandals which are for sale in the factory shop.
On the website they have a page showing the sandals, but there is a notice that they are not taking on-line orders at present. I do suspect they will fill a phone order in case anyone wants to try. The prices are pretty tempting, and while I can’t vouch for them, the reviews on Yelp are very good.
The Vintage Traveler 
They are great sandals. I’ve got around 20 pairs. Two pairs are at least 15 years old
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Kinos are awesome—-They are a sandal you can wear all day long,
and not have tired feet. Very well made and last for years !!!!!!!!!!!
Don’t delay—get your first pair today and see for yourself !!!!!!!!!!!!
Dreamshopper
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I am in Key West for the weekend and am headed to Kinos this afternoon. The shoes are fantastic and I have at least 15 different colors. When we travel, people all over recognize them–so they are good conversation pieces. My favorites are a bronze textured pair and I’m hoping they have those today…I have worn my pair out. Order some online if you can’t make it to KW…you won’t be sorry!
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Maybe I ought to just make the sacrifice and make the trip down the Key West.
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i was born and raised in KW bought my own pair in the 70’s for 4.16! I still have a pair I bought 20 years ago, worn, and comfy but my favorite pair of the 15 I own… you won’t regret it, unless you only buy 1 pair….
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I LOVE my Kinos!! I still have and wear a pair I bought in 1988 for $7.00
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I like Key West Sandal Factory Sandals better than the Kino imitation made in cheaper materials.I order Key West Sandal Factory Sandals online at keywestsandalfactory.com
I love the Ultra line in all of the great Tropical colors…I own 7 pair!
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Kino sandals are well worth the rive to Key West. Among the sheer beauty of Key West itself, pre-seasonal storms (of-course),Kino’s make the best sandals I have ever own. I used to wear flip-flops from Old Navy, and sneakers, and never anything else. It annoyed my mother to death.
My mom came back from her cruise to Key West one day years ago, and brought a pair of Kino’s to my room. She said, and I quote, “Throw away all of your flip flops. If you don’t like these sandals, you can take them back to Key West yourself!” and threw them at me. Being a teenager at the time I responded with one of those “I don’t care, i’m not throwing away my flip flops.”
I came home from school the following day, all of my shoes were gone except my Vet sneakers and Agriculture boots!!
I didn’t wanna wear cow-poo covered boots to school all day, and my Vet sneakers couldn’t get scuffed. Needless to say, I had to wear the Kino’s to school, and loved them! I have a few pairs now and will be getting more!
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I have been a fan of Kino sandals since the early ’80’s when I began travelling to Key West, I have them in almost every style and color and since I live in Florida I get the opportunity to wear them often. I find them to be a very good quality and last for a long time. While not Sperry’s I would recommend Kino’s every day of the week and you certainly cant beat them for the price
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Thanks for the recommendation!
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I had a pair I bought in 1977 in Key West at the store. My new dog chewed them up in 1998 or I’d still have them. Bought a pair in 1999 and am still weating them (Lilly Style). I bought another pair and they’re up in the closet. Will probably never have to use them (unless I get a new dog again)! Best buy ever!
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My wife has worn Kino sandals for over 36 years. They are very well made and stand up to time, she can’t kill them and she wears them almost every day in the spring & summer into the early fall.
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I bought some Kinos in 2008 and they are my most frequently worn shoes. When my husband was in KW last month for a marathon I sent him to Kino and had him pick up more for me, some for my daughter, and a pair for my sister as a gift. Very reasonably priced leather sandals and best of all…MADE IN AMERICA!
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You know, I post about a lot of products, but I don’t think any have gotten the level of reviews that Kino has.
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So excited! On our way to Key West and will definitely by a pair (or more) of Kino sandals! I bought several pair many years ago and can’t wait to have new ones!!
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I have been wearing Kino sandals since the early seventies and they are the best fitting sandals I have ever owned. They last forever and I get so many compliments on them when I wear them out. I just ordered yet another pair and can’t wait until they arrive. You can’t go wrong on the price or the craftmanship!! Donna
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I really need to try these. Thanks for the recommendation.
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I just got some and I do not believe they run true too size …
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Hi !!!
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Love Kinos have been wearing the thongs for 20 years and nothing compares for wear or comfort. Great for Florida, tropics, sub-tropics and boaties, you can walk through rain puddles and where them on coral. Leather (???) I have always known them to be a lined a vinyl but great quality and durability.
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FINALLY!!! Someone else who realizes that these are NOT leather!
I seem to be the only other person on the planet that has noticed that the “leather” has threads running through it…that fray on the edges! I’ve never known leather to fray! LOL!! It annoys the heck out of me to see everyone, including Kino’s themselves, saying these are leather…they are cute, and I have plenty of pairs, but they are NOT leather, and that’s why they are $13.00! 😀
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I agree they are not made like the original Key West Sandal Factory Sandals which you can order online.But you get a good imitation for $13.00 in a cheaper material which still look similar to Key West Sandal Factory Sandals.
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Hi All – Just off the Key West Sandal Factory web page and wondering who really came up with style first because they are the same. Yes Kino – vinyl and Sandal Factory – leather. One thing about the Kinos is you walk through rain puddles and on reefs and they are fine to walk in wet and dry quickly. One thing to consider for Florida lifestyle and boaties. I think I would get pairs from each and use the Sandal Factory one for dress up and the Kinos for daily wear (walking through the grocery store parking lot in a down pour) and beach play.
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Key West Sandal Factory was est.1932 about 40 years before Kino. I was told the owner of Kino started at Key West Sandal Factory then made a cheaper version to sell people that got off the boats souvenirs. I believe both brands are a good value, but as I get older I appreciate the better materials found in the original Key West Sandal Factory.
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My puppy, Sasha, really liked my Kino sandals so much she ate one. Only the leather of course–she goes organic. So now I will order a new pair online. Sadly they don’t have a choice of yellow like my originals.
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Soy de P.R. me encantaron sus sandalias. Compramos unas cuantas y volvimos pero estaba cerrado y ya nos vamos. Tratare comprar x su web.pero el envio sale costoso. Hoy a las 7 salimos para Jax
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So if I wear size 8 1/2 then buy a 9?
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Ok. I have to reply also. My mother is a native of Key West and everysummer we returned to visit family and I have worn Kino sandals for years. I wear a large size and Kino would make customized sandals for me. Cant tell how much I appreciated cute shoes as a teen. I have a pair that are 25 years old, and still wearable. Love! Love my kinos…..
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We still prefer the original Sandals from Key West Sandal Factory over kinosandals…We buy them online at Keywestsandalfactory.com
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I’ve had a pair of Kinos that a friend bought for me on a trip she made to Key West, probably between 10 and 15 years ago. They are DEFINITELY leather, so I don’t know what you guys are talking about. I am wearing them today and decided to order a replacement pair because FINALLY after close to 15 years, the soles are almost completely worn out. I have the Australianos and from the top, they are still perfect. For the money, this is probably one of the best bargains on earth for sandals.
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I love the Ultra and Duval sandals from Key West Sandals Factory. …You can purchase them online at …www.keywestsandalfactory.com They are the “Original” Key West Sandal Factory. KENO Sandals are nice though for $11.00 a pair….but Key West Sandal Factory at about $45.00 makes the real sandal with better materials/craftmanship..Both are great value for what you pay….It’s more about what you can afford to pay…I can remember when I could not even afford a pair of Kino’s…But today I invest in better footwear and mattress…For the comfort/quality reason I prefer Key West Sandal Factory over Kino the newer company.
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My neighbor in Cape Coral FL told me about Kino Shoes – I found the store and very happy about it – I bought a pair just like the brown one shown but in blue – I love them – want another pair – husband bought a pair also – we will be back
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I went to the factory this past weekend
I m well satisfied with the price an comfortable padding n the sandals i think u will enjoy them a lil off on the sole but being ✋ made i gv kinos a A
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