Keds Women’s Triple Up Review – Platform Comfort at $70

While browsing for versatile platform sneakers that could handle my busy lifestyle, the Keds Women’s Triple Up caught my attention during a sale. Sarah here, and between work meetings, school pickups, and weekend errands, I needed something that promised both style and all-day comfort. I was a bit skeptical about the break-in period mentioned in reviews, but after 8 weeks of real-world testing, here’s the honest truth about these leather platforms.

Technical Specifications

• 💰 Price: $70 ()
• ⚖️ Weight: 12 oz (women’s size 8)
• 📐 Platform height: 1.5 inches
• 🧪 Midsole material: 10% recycled PU foam Softerra footbed
• 👟 Upper material: 100% leather with canvas lining
• 👠 Category: Women’s lifestyle platform sneakers
• 🎯 Best for: Daily wear, casual outfits, adding height
• ⏱️ Testing period: 8 weeks, 45+ wear sessions, 200+ hours

Design, Build Quality & Real-World Performance

First Impressions and Construction

Right out of the box, these Keds have that classic appeal that made me nostalgic for the ’90s. The white leather upper is surprisingly thick and smooth – definitely feels more substantial than I expected for the price point. The construction looks solid with clean stitching around the toe box and heel, though I did notice the leather has that initial stiffness that screams “break-in period required.”

The 1.5-inch platform isn’t overwhelming at all. As someone who’s 5’4″, I was worried about feeling unsteady, but the platform gives just enough lift without making me feel like I’m tottering around. The rubber sole has decent grip patterns, though I learned not to trust them on wet surfaces (more on that later).

The Reality of Fit and Comfort

Let me be real about sizing – I’m typically a 7.5 in most brands, and that’s exactly what I ordered. The fit is true to size lengthwise, but ladies, if you have wider feet, you might want to consider going up a half size. The toe box is definitely on the narrower side, and while my medium-width feet fit fine, I could see this being tight for anyone with wider feet.

The comfort story is complicated. During my first 2-hour shopping trip, I experienced exactly what multiple reviewers warned about – heel rubbing and the beginning of blister formation. The leather back collar is quite stiff initially, and it took about 2-3 weeks of regular wear (with heel protectors) to properly break them in.

Once broken in, though, the Softerra footbed really delivers on comfort. It’s genuinely cushioned and supportive for all-day wear. I’ve worn these for 9-hour work days, through Target runs, and during weekend family activities without the foot fatigue I expected from a platform shoe.

Daily Performance Across Real Scenarios

These shoes really shine in casual, everyday situations. They’re perfect for coffee dates, casual Friday at the office, running errands around town, and weekend social events. The leather is easy to wipe clean (a blessing with kids!), and they genuinely elevate basic outfits like jeans and t-shirts or casual dresses.

Where they struggle is in any wet conditions. I learned this lesson during a light drizzle when I nearly slipped on smooth pavement – the rubber sole doesn’t provide much traction on wet surfaces. Also, despite the breathable canvas lining, my feet do get warm during hot summer days, so I stick to no-show socks or thin cotton socks.

Performance in Various Daily Conditions

Indoor and Smooth Surface Testing

Inside offices, stores, and on smooth floors, these platforms perform beautifully. The cushioning makes standing for long periods much more comfortable than flat sneakers, and the slight heel elevation actually helps with posture. I’ve worn them through entire trade shows and conferences without significant discomfort.

However, I did notice some slipping on very smooth floors like polished concrete or certain tile surfaces. It’s not dangerous, but you do need to be mindful of your footing in places like airports or malls with super-smooth flooring.

Outdoor Urban Environment Performance

For sidewalk walking, these are fantastic. The platform provides great shock absorption on concrete, and the height boost is genuinely helpful for my petite frame. I’ve walked several miles in them during city days without issues once they were broken in.

The leather upper handles light splashes and urban grime well – a quick wipe-down usually gets them back to looking fresh. But I learned to avoid wearing them on rainy days after that near-slip incident I mentioned earlier.

Does Keds Deliver on Their Promises?

Marketing Claims vs. Reality Check

Claim: “Super cushiony 1.5″ platform bottoms”
Reality: ✅ Absolutely true. The platform genuinely provides excellent cushioning and the 1.5″ height is perfect – not too dramatic but definitely noticeable.

Claim: “Versatile silhouette that plays well with everything”
Reality: ✅ Mostly accurate. They do work with a wide range of casual outfits, from athleisure to sundresses to jeans and blouses. The white leather keeps them neutral enough for most styles.

Claim: “Soft, breathable canvas lining”
Reality: ⚠️ Mixed results. The canvas lining is soft, but breathability could be better, especially during warm weather or extended wear.

Claim: “10% recycled PU foam Softerra footbed”
Reality: ✅ The footbed comfort is legitimate – it’s noticeably more cushioned than basic sneakers and maintains its shape well over time.

My Overall Assessment

Detailed Performance Scoring

What Other Women Are Saying

The customer feedback is remarkably consistent across platforms. Most women love the style and height boost, with many mentioning these are their “go-to” shoes once broken in. The universal complaints focus on:

• Break-in period: Almost everyone mentions heel rubbing and blisters initially
• Durability concerns: Multiple reports of sole separation after 3-6 months
• True-to-size fit: Most find sizing accurate, though wide-foot wearers struggle
• Comfort after break-in: Consistently praised for all-day wearability

Spanish-speaking customers particularly praise the style (“súper lindos”) and comfort (“muy cómodas”), though they echo the durability concerns about sole separation (“se despegó la suela”).

Value Assessment: The Real Cost Analysis

At $70, these platforms sit in an interesting sweet spot. They’re significantly cheaper than premium platform sneakers from brands like Superga ($80-120) or trendy chunky sneakers ($100+), but they’re more expensive than basic canvas platforms from fast-fashion brands.

If we calculate cost-per-wear and these last 6-8 months with regular use (based on customer reports), you’re looking at about $0.35-0.50 per wear, which isn’t bad for leather platforms. However, the potential durability issues do impact the value proposition.

Final Verdict

The Good and The Bad

Who Should Buy the Keds Triple Up?

Perfect for you if:

• You want affordable leather platforms for daily wear
• You have patience for a 2-3 week break-in period
• You have normal to narrow feet (size 6-10)
• You need versatile white sneakers that work with multiple outfits
• You’re looking for legitimate height boost without instability
• You primarily wear shoes indoors or on dry surfaces

Skip these if:

• You need shoes that are comfortable immediately out of the box
• You have wide feet and prefer roomy toe boxes
• You need excellent wet-weather traction
• You want shoes guaranteed to last 2+ years with heavy use
• You’re planning to wear them for extensive walking on the first try

Better Options for Specific Needs

If you need immediate comfort: Consider Skechers D’Lites platforms – they’re ready to wear from day one, though less stylish.

If durability is your priority: Invest in Superga 2790 platforms – they cost more ($90-110) but have better long-term construction.

If you have wide feet: Look at New Balance 624v5 platforms or size up significantly in these Keds.

Final Recommendation

The Keds Triple Up platforms deliver on style and comfort (once broken in), making them a solid choice for women seeking affordable leather platforms for everyday wear. At $70, they offer good value if you’re patient enough for the break-in period and realistic about their 6-8 month lifespan.

My advice? Buy them if you love the look and need versatile platforms, but invest in heel protectors for the first few weeks and have realistic expectations about longevity. They’re genuinely comfortable and stylish once you get past the initial stiffness.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do these run true to size?

Yes, for most women they run true to size lengthwise. However, if you have wide feet, consider going up a half size as the toe box is on the narrow side. I’m normally a 7.5 and that’s exactly what worked for me.

How long is the break-in period really?

Plan for 2-3 weeks of gradual wear with heel protectors. Most women report significant heel rubbing for the first 10-15 wears, then sudden improvement once the leather softens. Don’t wear them for long walks initially!

Are they worth it compared to cheaper platform options?

The leather upper does make them more versatile and easier to clean than canvas alternatives. At $70, they’re reasonably priced for leather platforms, though durability concerns keep them from being an outstanding value.

How do they hold up in wet weather?

Not well. The rubber sole doesn’t provide great traction on wet surfaces, and I nearly slipped on wet pavement. Save them for dry days or be extra careful on smooth, wet surfaces.

What’s the deal with the sole separation issues?

Multiple customers report sole separation after 3-6 months of regular wear. It seems to be a quality control issue rather than universal, but it’s common enough to be concerning. Keep your receipt and watch for early signs.

Can I machine wash these?

Keds recommends spot washing and air drying only. Several customers who machine washed them reported complete sole separation, so stick to gentle cleaning with a damp cloth.

Are they comfortable for all-day wear?

Once broken in, absolutely. The Softerra footbed provides excellent cushioning, and the platform height is perfectly balanced. I’ve worn them for 9+ hour days without foot fatigue.

Comprehensive Scoring Summary