Anyone who knows me well, knows that I hate shopping. This means that I don’t buy anything new until there’s a real need to do so.
Keens: My old and new Keens
That’s the case with my beloved Keen Newport H2 sandals. I bought my first pair three years ago before a trip that included some hiking and cave-tubing in Belize. Since then, I’ve worn these shoes nearly everyday - summer and winter. They’ve been to Belize. They’ve trekked around Honduras and the beaches of Mexico. They’ve become stuck in the mud while clamming in Georgia. They’ve walked the canals of Venice, and ridden bikes through Tuscany. They’ve been whitewater rafting, kayaking on the Colorado River and a ton of lakes. They’ve been hiking and trekking all over Colorado. And they’ve been on more dog walks than I can count.
So, now that the seams are busting, the tread is totally worn, and pieces are starting to come off, it’s with a tinge of sadness that I retire my faithful Keens. But with endings come new beginnings and last night I bought a new pair of Keen Newports. My original pair was green, and this time I wanted a blue pair, but the only color REI had in stock in my size was brown. I wasn’t too excited about the brown, but they are quickly growing on me.
So, what makes these shoes so special? For starters, they are incredibly comfortable. I originally purchased them for activities where my feet might get wet, like kayaking and rafting, but soon discovered (much to the chagrin of my wife) that they are the most utilitarian shoes I’ve ever owned.
They are the perfect water shoe. Since they are made of nylon and rubber, they dry quickly. They have an easy to adjust tightening cord so you can tighten them on the fly. They are easy to get on and off and you don’t have to worry about messing with buckles and laces.
One of the things I like most about these shoes is the closed toe. This makes them great for hiking and scrambling around rocks.
The shoe is designed in such a way that it hugs your foot, cradling it from all sides. There’s a hefty heel strap that keeps the back of your foot secure. But there’s enough space to allow air and water to move freely.
The only complaint I have about this is that it’s easy for little pebbles to get in, and then you’ve got to do the hokie pokie to get them out.
They are also ideal traveling companions. They squish pretty flat in your luggage and are easy to get on and off for security.
When I hear the word sandals, I think of flimsy shoes with a couple straps holding your foot down and for that reason, I don’t call my Keens sandals. These shoes are not at all flimsy.
So, if you’re looking for a new pair of shoes that will take you were ever you want to go, do yourself a favor and at least try on a pair of Keens. If you’re like me, you’ll never want to take them off.
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