We purchased the KEEN Women's Newport H2 Sandals so our reviewer could thoroughly test and assess them. Keep reading for our full product review.
When I’m exploring the great outdoors, I like to be prepared for a bit of everything—whether I’m hiking through the rainforest or taking a long walk on the beach. No matter the location, I need a solid pair of shoes to keep my feet comfortable and protected.
Enter the KEEN Women's Newport H2 Sandals, which are designed for hiking, walking, and water adventures. But do they hold up in real life? To find out, I tested them during a recent action-packed road trip. I wore them hiking through relatively muddy, wooded terrain and evaluated them for important features like design, comfort, and value. Read on to find out how they fared.Verywell Fit / Stephanie Vermillion
Design: Colorful options The KEEN Women's Newport H2 Sandals comes in a wide variety of color combinations, including stone and fire red, black and multi-color coral, navy and smoke blue, black and raspberry wine, grey and ocean wave, and magnet and hot coral (which I opted for, here).
These shoes have a closed-toe design. This is especially important for hiking because it keeps me from nicking my toes while rock scrambling. Even better? These sandals have KEEN Patented Toe Protection , which means the outsole wraps up over the toe to keep my feet safe and stub-free. Plus, it’s a nice separation (at least mentally) for any critters I come across while hiking in warmer weather.Verywell Fit / Stephanie Vermillion
Materials: Waterproof but not very breathable One of the first things I noticed—and one of my only complaints—about the KEEN Women's Newport H2 Sandals was their lack of breathability. These shoes are made with entertirely PFC-free materials, but the waterproof polyester webbing made my feet sweat within minutes. Fortunately, the sandals are equipped with Cleansport NXT , a technology that uses natural probiotics to fight odors. I didn’t notice any smells (other than mud, of course!) after my 3-mile hike, so the odor control add-in must do the trick.
The waterproof polyester webbing made my feet sweat within minutes.
The KEEN Women's Newport H2 Sandals are machine-washable—an essential feature given that they’re also great for muddy hikes. According to the manufacturer, you should use a small amount of detergent before washing them on a gentle cycle and letting them air-dry.Verywell Fit / Stephanie Vermillion
Fit: A half-size small The KEEN Women's Newport H2 Sandals are fairly true to size, although the manufacturer recommends opting for a half-size larger than normal. I typically wear between a women’s 8 and 8.5, and the size 8.5 fit perfectly. One major perk in terms of fit is the adjustable lace-fit capture system. This gave me the power to customize the fit of these shoes so they didn’t slide. Plus, my feet sometimes swell after long hikes of 6 or more miles, so it’s nice to know I can expand and contract these shoes based on where I am in the hike, and how long I expect to go.
They’re durable and well-built, and they kept my feet safe and comfortable on a long, muddy hike.
Even without being totally broken in, I didn’t get any blisters from these sandals. This hike was my second time wearing them, and they were still as comfortable—and blister-free—as the first. On my third and fourth hikes, I also finished with zero blisters.Verywell Fit / Stephanie Vermillion
Performance: Comfortable, versatile, and rugged Just-melted snow means soggy hiking trails, but the KEEN Women's Newport H2 Sandals were up to the task. Despite a mile of mud, these shoes kept me safe and upright, which is thanks, in large part, to the excellent traction on the soles.
I was shocked by how lightweight and bouncy these shoes felt for the entirety of my three-mile hike.
The sandals also kept my feet comfortable, with arch support that felt designed to cradle my foot’s contours. The insole is removable, though, if you need to add your own orthotics, like insoles for flat feet . Plus, weighing just 10.5 ounces, I was shocked by how lightweight and bouncy these shoes felt for the entirety of my 3-mile hike.
Price: Pricey but high-quality Unlike hiking boots , I don’t envision wearing the KEEN Women's Newport H2 Sandals very often, which makes the $110 price tag a bit hard to swallow. However, if you know you plan to use them frequently—so your price per wear might be lower—they’re worth it for their high-quality build and comfortable, customizable fit. Plus, KEEN has sales throughout the year, so you may be able to find a steal if you wait long enough!
Competition: Options for every adventure Bogs Women's Rio Diamond Sandal view on Amazon )—another one of our top picks for water shoes —is perfect for those transitioning from light trail walking to, say, a restaurant. These sandals are more muted in style, plus they’re waterproof with adjustable straps for comfort and varying weather conditions. These shoes have arch support for those who need it, and have a breathable build with nylon materials. They’re also priced a bit lower at around $60.
Merrell Women's All Out Blaze Aero Sport Hiking Water Shoe view on Amazon ) isn’t technically a sandal, it’s an alternative to the KEEN pair that’s equally impressive on rugged and rough terrain. The Merrell shoe, also on our list of top water shoes and priced at around $100, was built for creek and water hikes. It has grippy soles for traction, arch support, and a ventilated mesh top for breathability. This pair is designed for use in the water, but unlike the KEEN sandals, they’re not waterproof.
Need some help finding what you’re looking for? Read our list of the best walking sandals.
Final Verdict Don’t hike through water without them!
The KEEN Women's Newport H2 Sandals are now a staple in my hiking wardrobe. They’re durable and well-built, and they kept my feet safe and comfortable on a long, muddy hike. If you have it in your budget, they’re a great investment.