| Tweet |
So, like many people, I’ve got flat feet. With flat feet comes special challenges and one of those are the lack of good sandals and flip-flops that provide enough cushion and support to keep my knees, ankles, hips and back happy. After using the Keen Newport Sandals for the past year, I can say they are some of the better sandals for those with flat feet.
The thing that blew me away about the Keen Newport Sandals was that right out of the box, they fit perfectly with no rubbing or hot spots. That rarely happens–even with regular shoes. I thought that with all the open webbing, there would be one spot, somewhere that would cause undue chaffing. Well, Keen’s delicate attention to detail proved me completely wrong.
The soles on the Newports are super grippy in all conditions. They remind me of the last set of tires I bought from Les Schwab. They convinced me that I needed to have the tires “siped”. And, I gave in. The result? I had an extra-grippy set of tires in all conditions. So, translating that to shoe-speak, the Newports have what I would call a “siped” sole. They not only have the standard knobs and ridges found on every all-terrain sandal, but they are carefully sliced cross-wise so that the sole conforms to wet or dry terrain like Spiderman on the Empire State Building.
The Newports are comfortable for all-day adventures and obviously at home in wet conditions. Whether wet or dry, the Keen Newport Sandals are my sandals of choice. They are not perfect… I do wish they had a slightly taller arch support. As they are, the arch is fairly small (but larger than most), so if I’m walking on cement most of the day, my knees and ankles feel the pain.
As an added bonus, the anti-microbial insole prevents the Keen’s from smelling like my 7-th grade locker–Keen thought of everything.
I dig the all-terrain ability of the Newports, the grippy soles, comfortable feel right out of the box and the super-protective trademark Keen toe-guards.
Buy Now: Search for Keen Newport Sandals
;)
Howdy-
I am commenting to report the sad news that I missed out this year. My two buddies both bought the Verdict with Fritschi’s from Black Diamond. I tried, but found the deal they got had expired. So we all went up on an epic day at Solitude – seriously epic – face shots every turn . . .all day. And these two midwesterners were nipping at my heals all day. I was fighting to keep my tips up. I decided to give the Verdict a try and I was amazed as how light and well balanced they were. My buddies reported that they were good in crud and decent on groomers. They both only ski inbounds (with aspirations of one day going OB), and they both ski the Verdict in-bounds every day. Bottom line – I won’t wait this year to pick up a pair for myself. But I might look at the new Marker AT as a possible binding. Cheers.
The first time that I set eyes on a Keen sandal was back in June 2004. I had always wanted this sandal -even before it came out I had envisioned a sandal that I could run, slog, and vent with. Instantly I knew this was the sandal for me. I hate Tevas, Chaco’s , etc becasue I am always worried about damaging my feet. Whether wet at running rivers at Hoback, dry in Fiery Furnace, or tired hiking to Ampitheater Lake these Keens never failed – never gave a blister – and are still going strong. My first trip with the Keens was to Jackson Lake in 2005. Hiking around with my son in the Kelty pack I actually had people stop me and take pictures of my shoes – they too saw and instant classic and couldn’t wait to give it a try.
Tristan — do you find they are generally wide or narrow? What about arch support? I also had wondered about the stink factor with a leather-ish style and relatively enclosed sandal — any foot stink?
I have fat toes and a skinny heal – think Duck feet. I have never felt arch ache with them. And regarding stink, I ususally wear socks with them for serious hikes. Sans socks the rest of the time. I have washed them about once a year, and the leather is still nice enough – and non-stinky – to wear them casually. I could gush and gush – I would love to have about five pair, but the first pair I bought still looks new and smells stink free.
Nice…with the other guys talking about them so much, and your good rec here, I’m starting to think I’ll have to pick myself up a pair.
Cheers,
Brig
my only problem is whenever I’m on a trail that has small gravel or rocks they are constantly getting in and I’m constantly trying to kick them out or having to stop and take off the sandal to brush the bottoms of my feet off. Next time I’ll definitely go for the closed heel version.
Good comment, Jeff… Yeah, I notice that a lot when I’m at the park with my daughter. I’m always digging out sand or gravel. I think that’s something that will happen with nearly all sandals though.
I love my Keens. I wear them almost every day to work plus when I’m out hiking on my days off. My feet say “ahhh” when they slide in. The only time my feet hurt in them is usually after the first 15 miles of a serious hike, but I’m pretty sure that would happen with anything. Gravel, etc. does get in from time to time, but they are super easy to pull off & put back on. I get them dirty fast at work, but even after several machine washings, they still look brand-new. I have slightly high arches, but no pain thus far… I highly recommend them. My mom & my grandmother both got a pair, they love them too. Great product… Looking forward to my next pair.
Where can I find men’s Keene sandles in R.I.???
Did you check out the Dealer Locator here:
http://www.keenfootwear.com/find_dealer.aspx
Otherwise, you can always buy them online through any of our partner merchants:
http://www.gear.com/s/keen+newport
I am looking into these and it looks like on the sole of the shoe there are screw heads, maybe a size #10 Phillips. What is that for? Can you remove the soles? And do they loosen? That is my only concern before buying these.
I’m not so sure what you’re referring to, but these outsoles don’t have any screws on them at all. Just rubber and more rubber.