Keen Newport H2 Review

Although closed-toe sandals aren't what we typically think of when we picture a sporty and high-performing piece of footwear, there is no denying their utility and performance in the right conditions. With its comfortable footbed, waterproof materials, and protective toe box, the Keen Newport H2 stands out as the premier watersports sandal on the market today. With solid scores in most of our rating metrics, it again takes home our Top Pick Award for a closed-toe sandal.

Comfort

This model scores well for overall comfort thanks to its protective toe box and firm, supportive midsole. Even our testers who aren't keen on the closed-toe design found their feet happy in these. The toe box and instep material of the Newport H2 offer far greater protection from stubbing your toe in a rocky river or getting jabbed while bushwacking. The upper material is neoprene-backed webbing, ensuring every point of contact with the foot is water-resistant and cushioned to prevent chafing. These sandals were more comfortable than expected and saw regular use for daily activities.

Not only does neoprene make for a more comfortable ride, but it also dries much more quickly than nylon and performs better when wet. The rest of the shoe is designed with watersports in mind as well. Plenty of negative space within the upper material helps let water exit the footbed and dry out wet feet. The footbed consists of a dense, closed-cell foam that is resilient in water and very comfortable and supportive — even for high arches.

One notable downside of the closed-toe design is that any sand and silt inside the shoe can get trapped and have difficulty leaving. Hiking through a rocky, sandy creek bed, we had to stop several times to dump out sand or gravel, which was inconvenient.

Traction

While it doesn't have the same Vibram all-terrain grip as some of the top-performing sandals in our lineup, the Newport H2 does have a similar stiff rubber outsole optimized for multi-surface performance. With a sporty, alternating tread design that bites into dry surfaces and small sipes reminiscent of those on winter vehicle tires, our testers were pleased by how well this shoe grips in a variety of conditions and how quickly the sole transitions from wet to dry surfaces.

While the Newport H2 occasionally falters on slick surfaces such as steep sandstone or river rocks, it still provides some of the best wet-condition traction among its competitors. Despite not having Vibram sole material, the Newport H2's rubber outsole feels and performs much like that of a high-end name-brand. The Keen lacks a deep tread and aggressive tread patterns characteristic of trail shoes, and doesn't perform as well as others in mud or through loose, gravelly materials. Overall, however, we were impressed with the Newport H2's traction, especially considering how light and spongy the sole feels.

Stability

Resembling a shoe more than a sandal, closed-toe models typically have the upper hand in overall stability. The Newport H2 has a sturdy sole material that is impressively stiff and resilient for its relatively light weight. We found them stiff enough when jumping across rocks and even used them for a few bike rides. Add a rubber-reinforced toe box and full coverage around the foot, and you've got a trail-ready multi-purpose sandal that can withstand miles of abuse. While there are stiffer, more bomber sole materials, the combination of the sole, toe box, and upper makes this one of the most stable models we've tested.

One potential shortcoming of the Newport H2 is that some users may find it challenging to achieve a genuinely snug and supportive fit. The elastic 'laces' that pull the upper webbing material tight over the top of the foot are comfortable and easy to use, but they might not allow you to crank things down tightly if you have narrow or lower-volume feet. A loose fit could translate to foot slippage inside the shoe on more extreme downhill or sidehill terrain for users who cannot get a comfortably snug fit.

Adjustability

Unlike most other sandals with straps and buckles, the Newport H2 uses a loop of elastic with a cord lock that provides a snug closure similar to that of regular shoelaces. This adjustment system is easy to grasp, but the single tightening mechanism doesn't allow for a truly custom fit.

This metric presents one of the lowest scores for the Newport H2 but is up against some worthy competition. Many other models are highly adjustable, with two or three adjustment points to give the user a more customizable fit, although they can sometimes be tricky to get acquainted with. That's what we like about the adjustment system on the Newport H2: simplicity. Sometimes the no-frills, straightforward approach is favorable. We wish it had even one extra adjustment point so that users with smaller feet could still get a snug enough fit for more challenging conditions.

Versatility

Although it's at home in the water, the Newport H2 still performed well in every field test we put it through, even sandal-unfriendly activities like biking and skateboarding. Our testers agreed that the toe box and greater coverage gave them top-of-foot protection and the confidence to treat this sandal like a bona fide hiking shoe. However, the amphibious nature of Newport H2 is undeniable; it is reliable both in and out of the water.

While the Newport H2 can take you through all kinds of conditions and terrain, the closed nature of this sandal again makes it challenging to remove sand and small pebbles once they've snuck inside. Because of this, it's probably not ideal for the beach or anywhere you'll be walking through small, loose material. Overall, the Newport H2 is highly adaptable in the various scenarios we presented. Worn with socks and pants, you'd even believe you're wearing a street shoe, not a Sport Utility Sandal.

Should You Buy the Keen Newport H2?

The gray area between shoe and sandal doesn't have to be unapproachable. The Keen Newport H2 sets the bar for closed-toe sandals and is a comfortable, capable, and trustworthy option for many types of users. It may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of sandals, but it's worth checking out, especially if you're looking for amphibious adventure footwear. The price point is on par with what we'd expect from a high-quality product from a major footwear manufacturer. While certainly not cheap, this price is fair for the quality of the materials and construction in this sandal, as well as its top-of-the-line performance. It also gives you a one-year warranty if Keen's craftsmanship fails.

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