Keens are my favorite brand of footwear, and Austins are my favorite model.  In addition to the black Austin shoe reviewed here, I also own two pairs of the Austin boot, in black and brown.

I bought the Austins for everyday wear and for casual office wear.  My workplace is very casual, but I prefer a solid color leather shoe to athletic or hiking footwear, which are more casual than I want.  The Austins fit the bill.  They would never be considered fashionable, but they at least inoffensive.  The signature Keen rubber toe bumpers are less ugly on a black shoe than they are on other colors, and the toe bumper on the Austins are less pronounced than on many other Keen models.

The real strength of the Keen Austins are their comfort.  The wide toe box never constricts the toes.  My problem with degeneration in the big toe joint has almost disappeared since I've been wearing Keens (and other shoes with wide toe boxes), because they don't force the toes into unnatural positions.  The sole is sturdy and supportive, and comfortable to stand in all day.  The tread is not heavily lugged, but still provides good traction in snow and ice.  The construction of these shoes appears to be of high quality, with thick, good quality leather.  Like all sturdy leather shoes, they take a bit of breaking in - don't start your walking tour of England the day after buying these.