11 Best Keen Water Shoes And Sandals (2024)

Last Updated on October 29, 2023 by Nicole

Warm weather offers a chance to enjoy several outdoor water activities. As tempted as you might be to grab your flip flops or slides to enjoy these experiences, they are rarely the best choice for safety or comfort. Instead, you need to wear proper water shoes or sandals designed with the specific activity in mind. Fortunately, Keen water shoes are some of the best water shoes and sandals for boating, paddling, wade fishing, hanging at the beach, moderate hikes and more.

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How These Reviews Are Organized

In this article, I have reviewed five of the best Keen water shoes for men and women, three of the best water sandals for men, and three for women. I discuss their features, provide key information, and highlight each activity for which each shoe is best suited or better avoided. Keep in mind that on most occasions, I am not saying that you can’t use them for those other experiences, only that there are better options available.

In the Buyer’s Guide, I take you through terminology and technology used by Keen in their design of waterproof sandals and shoes so that you have a clearer understanding of what they mean. In addition, I discuss key differences among all the Keen water sandals to help you choose which shoe might be better for your intended uses.

Other Options

As you will see, Keen supplies excellent footwear for activities in and around the water. However, if you want to explore other kinds of footwear, I’d recommend the following:

• 8 Best TEVA Water Shoes And Sandals: Cool And Comfy – TEVA is another leader in sandals. This article list other styles of water shoes with Teva’s own footwear technology for some excellent choices.

• 14 Fantastic Columbia Water Shoes, Sandals And Boat Shoes – Columbia produces water shoes, sandals and boat shoes with its own phenomenal footwear technology. In particular, Columbia offers a large range of boat shoes designed for boating and fishing, including shoes with midsole ports for air or water flow.

• 11 Best Merrell Water Shoes And Sandals – Merrell offers amazing hiking and outdoor footwear. They have taken the best of their outdoor technology and incorporated it into water shoes, waterproof sandals and slip on shoes for excellent options with lots of comfort and superb traction.

• 10 Best NIKE Flip Flops, Slides And Sandals – Sometimes you just need a great pair of comfortable flip flops or slides for the beach, pool, or walking around town. Many manufacturers do not offer cushion or support in their designs, but Nike has a fantastic selection of ones that do.

Best Keen Water Shoes For Men And Women

The best Keen water shoes have quick-drying uppers that are breathable and easy to clean. They have excellent water repellant outsoles with first-class razor siping traction for steady footing on slippery surfaces. In addition, their designs allow water to easily escape.

Keen waterproof sandals supply excellent comfort features such as cushioned insoles for shock absorption, contoured footbeds, and arch support. Different style and color options cater to everyone’s taste with customizable features for your ultimate comfort. 

The following Keen water shoes are available to both men and women. The shoes are identical in design but come in different colors, pattern and sizes. 

Keen Newport H2 Sandals For Men

Keen Newport H2 For Women

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Keen Newport Retro Sandals For Men

Keen Newport Retro Sandals For Women

Features

• Secure bungee fit lace system for an adaptable fit and easy to take on and off.
• Closed-toe patented design.
• Razor siping and multi-directional lug patterns for excellent traction.
• Non-marking rubber sole.
• Toe rocker to propel natural walking gait.
• Machine washable water-resistant polyester webbing upper with quick-drying lining.
• Metatomical EVA midsole that cradles the foot with excellent arch support.

Key Differences

• Newport Retro includes Cleansport NXT – an antimicrobial treatment to curb odors.
• Newport Retro runs a half size small.

Other Information

• Free from PFC chemicals.
• Non-removable footbed.
• Comes in several colors and patterns.
• Available in half sizes.

Intended Uses

• Suitable for:
  • long walks in the city or hikes on moderate trails.
  • walking on slippery rocks or surfaces at the river, lake, or ocean;
  • travel;
  • water sports like paddling, rafting, or kayaking;
  • sailing or boating;
  • wade fishing.

• Better options available for:
  • beachwear – sand will get in;
  • challenging hikes – not enough protection from sticks and other hazards on trails.

Conclusion

Keen Newport H2 water shoes are one of Keen’s most popular shoes. They are lightweight waterproof sandals that offer superb traction when walking on rough or wet surfaces.

These Keen water shoes have been designed with comfort and support in mind. They include a footbed that cradles the shape of your foot and strong arch support. The EVA midsole supplies excellent shock absorption and they do not require breaking-in, which means no blisters, tightness, or chafing. In addition, the bungee lace system ensures a secure and even fit over the top of the foot.

The thick rubber enclosed toes make them ideal for wade fishing or walking over rocks or prickly surfaces under water. The deep lugs and razor siping on the tread also makes them a great choice for all kinds of boating or paddling. They have many features to make them comfortable and secure for walking and some hiking.

However, with the openings around the foot, these Keen water shoes would not be the best for hiking over challenging terrain or in difficult weather. There is not enough protection for the whole foot. In addition, while they have lots of features that would make them a good choice for the beach, their design would allow sand to easily seep in which would be annoying and uncomfortable.

Keen Clearwater CNX Sandals For Men

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Keen Clearwater CNX Sandals For Women

Features

• Multi-directional flex grooves in the outsole for a barefoot feel.
• Shaped insole offers natural underfoot support, including some arch support.
• Washable polyester with quick-drying mesh.
• Non-marking rubber outsole with razor siping technology.
• TPU stability shank.
• Slight toe rocker.
• Bungee quick lacing with heel and lace tabs for easy on and off.
• EVA midsole for cushioning and shock absorption.
• Rubber toe box over toes.

Other Information

• 4mm heel drop.
• Less roomy consistent with a barefoot experience.
• PFC-free materials.
• Lightweight.
• Available in a range of colors and half sizes.

Intended Uses

• Suitable for:
  • moderate hikes;
  • walking on slippery rocks or surfaces at the river, lake, or ocean;
  • boating;
  • water sports like paddling, rafting, or kayaking;
  • swimming;
  • wade fishing.

• Better options available for:
  • long or challenging hikes;
  • beachwear (sand a nuisance).

Conclusion

These Keen slip on shoes offer excellent features for those who are seeking a lightweight waterproof sandal with excellent flexibility. There is only a 4mm midsole drop ensuring that your feet stay more connected to surfaces. In addition, the multi-directional flex grooves on the forefoot of the outsole mean that the front half of your feet can bend and shape to the terrain over which you are walking or scampering.

In essence, these Keen water sandals are giving you as close to a barefoot experience while still providing comfort, support, and protection.

They supply the signature rubber toe protection. There is a midsole shank to prevent the whole shoe from torquing. Plus, the tread includes razor siping for superb traction on wet surfaces. For convenience, the bungee lacing system allows you to secure the sandal to the shape of your foot and evenly distribute the pressure over the top of your foot.

As for comfort, these Keen water shoes have an EVA midsole for shock absorption and a contoured footbed with some arch support.

Keen Kona Flip II For Men

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Keen Kona Flip II For Women

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Keen Kona Flip II Retro

Features

• Thick non-marking rubber outsoles for excellent grip.
• Anti-odor Cleansport NXT to reduce odors.
• Quick-drying lining.
• Easy to clean polyester webbing upper.
• Metatomical footbed design – engineered for excellent arch support and to mold to shape of the foot.
• EVA midsole for cushion and to absorb impact.
• Available in a wide range of men’s and women’s sizes including half sizes

Other Information

• PFC-free water repellants.
• Lightweight.
• No razor siping on outsoles.
• Come in limited colors for men. More options for women.
• Half sizes available.

Key Differences:

• Kona Flip II supplies anti-odor Cleansport NXT to reduce odors whereas Kona Flip II Retro provides Eco Anti-Odor for natural odor control.

Intended Uses:

• Suitable for:
  • the beach;
  • city walking and running errands;
  • travel.

• Better options available for:
  • all outdoor adventures on land or a boat, or in water.

Conclusion

As far as flip flops go, these shoes offer a lot. They have a molded Eva footbed that cradles the foot and supplies excellent arch support. In addition, they have a thick sole with shock absorption for comfort and offer good traction on wet surfaces. These features are often absent on other manufacturers’ flip flops.

Although these Keen slip on shoes supply superb features, they do have limited uses when looking at outdoor activities, water or otherwise. There isn’t any way to secure the shoes to the foot so any kind of excursion that involves walking over uneven terrain should be avoided. Similarly so, they are not the best option for water activities that require stability such as boating or wade fishing. And of course, if you tried to swim in them, they would simply float away.

Keen SOLR Sandals For Men

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Keen SOLR Sandals For Women

Features

• Lace-lock bungee system for a quick and secure fit and easy adjusting;
• Soft EVA midsole cushioning with some arch support.
• Quick-drying water-resistant TPU upper and lining.
• Low-profile and flexible design for ease of movement and improved surface contact.
• Non-marking rubber outsole.
• Aquagrip rubber outsole with Aqua Stop zonal siping – excellent traction on wet surfaces.
• Closed-toe rubber toe box.

Other Information

• Runs slightly narrow.
• Lightweight.
• Half sizes available.

Intended Uses

• Suitable for
  • Paddling;
  • boating;
  • wade fishing;
  • walking on slippery surfaces at the river, lake, or ocean;
  • swimming.

• Better options available for:
  • long or challenging hikes;
  • beachwear – sand a nuisance.

Conclusion

The SOLR in Keen SOLR water sandals stands for “Sea. Ocean. Lake. River”. They have been specifically designed to handle a wide variety of water activities without having to purchase water shoes for a specific sport. This makes it one of the best Keen waterproof sandals.

The rubber toe box supplies lots of toe protection and adds durability. The upper is lined with quick-drying material and the EVA midsole provides ultimate cushioning and shock absorption. Significantly, the thick rubber outsole has superb zonal siping to wick water on wet surfaces thus providing superb traction.

Built for adventurers, these Keen waterproof shoes are low profile to allow you to feel connected to the ground or boat surfaces for improved stability and flexibility. To that end, they supply some arch support but not as much as the Keen Newport.

Best Keen Water Shoes For Men

Keen Newport Sandals

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Keen Newport Hydro Sandals

Features

• Razor siping and deep lugs for excellent traction.
• Bungee style secure fit lace capture system.
• Non-marking rubber outsole.
• Bungee lace system.
• EVA midsole with metatomical footbed with superb arch support.
• Hydrophobic mesh lining.
• Rubber toe box overlay for protection.
• Toe rocker.

Other Information

• Comes in muted colors.
• Half sizes available.
• Lightweight.

Key Differences:

• Newport has a leather upper whereas the Newport Hydro is made from synthetic. Both are waterproof and machine washable (like all Keen water shoes).
• The leather will dry slower than the synthetic.

Intended Uses

• Suitable for:
  • long walks in the city or hikes on moderate trails.
  • walking on slippery rocks or surfaces at the river, lake, or ocean;
  • travel;
  • water sports like paddling, rafting, or kayaking;
  • sailing or boating;
  • wade fishing (Hydro option).

• Better options available for:
  • beachwear;
  • challenging hikes – not enough protection;
  • swimming.

Conclusion

The original Keen Newport shoes came out in 2003. Over the years, it has adopted more sophisticated footwear technology as it has become available. However, it looks remarkably similar today.

Other than materials, there is very little difference between these Newport men’s water sandals and the Newport H2 and Retro sandals for both men and women first discussed in this article. You would be able to pair the leather option with a nice pair of shorts or pants and head out to lunch or dinner, in addition to wearing them on all-day adventures. Other than that, which one you choose would be a question of price, sizing availability, and color choices.

Although technically you could wear your leather Newport sandals into the water to wade fish or swim – in fact the leather has been fabricated so as not to crack, shrink or stretch in water – I would choose another Keen water shoe if you see yourself consistently doing these activities. The wet leather would be heavier and dry slower than synthetic options.

Keen Targhee III Open Toe Sandals

Features

• Waterproof and durable leather upper.
• Quick-drying lining.
• Multi-directional lug pattern provides superior traction.
• Non-marking rubber outsole.
• Flex in the forefoot for increased contact to surfaces. 
• Dual-density EVA footbed for extra cushioning and shock absorption.
• Excellent arch support.
• Features a heel-capture system for a secure fit.
• Three points of adjustability around heel, at ankle, and over forefoot for custom fit.

Useful Information

• Available in earthy-toned colors.
• Offered in half sizes.
• Not machine washable.
• Leather requires ongoing maintenance to maintain its appearance and remain waterproof.
• Reflective strip at back and on outsoles for visibility at night.
• Lots of room in forefoot.

Intended Uses

• Suitable uses:
  • long walks and moderate hikes;
  • all-day city wear;
  • travel;
  • beachwear;
  • walking on slippery rocks or surfaces at the river, lake, or ocean;
  • boating.

• Better options available:
  • paddling;
  • challenging hikes;
  • swimming;
  • wade fishing.

Conclusion

Keen adapted one of its bestselling hiking boots into a sandal. Accordingly, you find a very durable and comfortable shoe with lots of shock absorption and cushion. It fits very securely to your foot through the three adjustable velcro hook and loop enclosures. In addition, the tread supplies deep multi-directional lugs for stability on all kinds of terrain, including slippery ones.

Technically, this is not a water sandal. As seen elsewhere in this article, Keen designs and manufactures a whole range of footwear that is better suited for constant exposure to water. However, if you are seeking an all purpose outdoor adventure shoe that offers features that make it safe and effective when exposed to water, then this good looking sandal is a great option. However, the open-toe sandal design means that you run the risk of stubbing your toes if you plan to walk or wade through rocky streams or rivers.

Keen Targhee III Open Toe H2 Sandals

Features

• Multi-directional lug pattern on tread for superb traction.
• Non-marking rubber sole.
• Eco Anti-Odor control.
• Lightweight EVA footbed for shock absorption with arch support for comfort.
• Quick-drying polyester webbing upper and lining.
• Two adjustable hook and loop straps for a personalized secure fit.

Other Information

• Lots of room around the forefoot.
• Most Keen water shoes can be machine washed. However, these Keen water sandals can not. Instead, gently brush the footwear with a soft, damp sponge. If it gets stained, you should treat it immediately with a gentle cleaner. When drying, do not put them in the dryer or near any kind of heat.

Intended Uses

• Suitable uses: 
  • boating;
  • beachwear;
  • travel;
  • city wear;
  • walking on slippery rocks or surfaces at the river, lake, or ocean;
  • long walks and moderate hikes.

• Better options available for:
  • challenging hikes – not enough protection for foot;
  • wade fishing.

Conclusion

These Keen water shoes offer similar features to the Targhee III Open Toe Sandal discussed above. However, there are some key differences.

First, the fundamental one is that the materials used in this H2 version make it an ideal water sandal. The upper is a quick-drying polyester webbing upper.

Second, anti-odor control has been added to the H2 version, again making it more suitable to being in and out of water, and dealing with hot sweaty feet.

Third, they have different care instructions. H2 can not be machine washed and stains need to be removed quickly by hand and with an appropriate cleaner.

Keen Targhee III Open Toe H2 are some of the best Keen water shoes. They offer excellent features that can take you not only on most water adventures but also on long walks or moderate hikes. For any more challenging hikes, I would recommend a closed toe shoe. These would be comfortable and secure on your foot, but would not offer protection to the tops of your feet or your toes from any hazards on a trail.

Best Keen Water Shoes For Women

Keen Venice II H2 Sandals

Features

• Non-marking rubber outsole with good traction.
• Quick lace capture system and adjustable heel strap for a custom fit.
• Toe rocker to proper forward when walking.
• Rubber overlay over toe box for protection.
• Midsole stability shank.
• Washable and breathable polyester webbing upper.
• EVA midsole for cushion with metatomical footbed with excellent arch support.
• Cleansport NXT anti-odor protection.

Useful Information

• Water repellant is PFC-free.
• Available in half sizes.

Intended Uses

• Suitable uses:
  • long walks and moderate hikes;
  • city wear;
  • walking on slippery rocks or surfaces at the river, lake, or ocean;
  • boating;
  • wade fishing;
  • paddling;
  • swimming.

• Better options available for:
  • challenging hikes;
  • beachwear (sand a nuisance).

Conclusion

These are one of the best Keen water shoes for women. They supply the lace capture system for a quick and secure fit to the individual shape of your feet, as well as an adjustable hook and loop enclosure around the heel. For stability, the midsole shank ensures your foot does not torque while walking. The rubber overlay over the toe box offers durability and protection for your toes while you enjoy your outdoor adventures.

They provide excellent comfort with a footbed that cradles the shape of your foot and strong arch support. The thick outer sole and midsole cushion offer good shock absorption while walking. The traction is good, the materials are breathable and quick-drying, and the anti-odor feature will keep you feeling fresh after a busy day enjoying the outdoors. 

These Keen water shoes are intended to give you more support with the thick outsole and midsole shank rather than closer contact with surfaces that a flexible forefoot and a low drop heel would provide (see Keen Clearwater or SOLR).

Keen Astoria West Sandals

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Features

• Non-marking rubber outsole.
• Stability midsole shank.
• Eco Anti-Odor control.
• Upper contains recycled plastic bottles.
• Aquagrip rubber with Aqua Stop zonal siping for maximum traction on wet surfaces.
• EVA midsole for cushion and shock absorption with arch support.
• Quick-dry lining.

Other Information

• Good option for wide feet because of adjustable straps.
• Designed to fit unique features specific to a woman’s foot.

Key Differences:

• The enclosed toe sandal includes the rubber toe overlay to protect the toes, and the open toe sandal does not.
• The open-toe sandal features three Velcro fasteners for an adjustable fit while the enclosed toe sandal supplies the bungee lace strap system for a secure fit.

Intended Uses

• Suitable uses
  • all-day casual wear;
  • long walks and moderate hikes;
  • paddling;
  • boating;
  • walking on slippery rocks or surfaces at the river, lake, or ocean;
  • travel;
  • beachwear (open toe sandal option only);
  • wade fishing (enclosed toe sandal option only).

• Better options available for:
  • challenging hikes.

Conclusion

These women-designed Keen water shoes offer all the comfort, security, stability, and fit expected from the best Keen water shoes. However, this time, instead of shrinking down a shoe designed for a man to a women’s shoe size, these water sandals have been configured to fit the unique features of a woman’s foot. Accordingly, fit and comfort reach new levels here.

They are both good-looking shoes that would compliment any athletic or casual outfit. As to which one you should choose, you would need to consider for what you intend to use them.

As indicated above, there are lots of activities for which they would both be excellent choices. However, if you want to wear them at the beach, I would opt for the open-toe version. Similarly, I would choose them if you want more control over your fit.

On the other hand, if you need to protect your toes doing activities like wade fishing, you should choose the enclosed toe option.

Keen Whisper Sandals

Features

• Quick drying polyester webbing uppers.
• Anti- odor control
• Multi-directional lug pattern for grip.
• Quick lace capture system.
• Stability midsole shank for support.
• Rubber overlay over toes.
• Toe rocker to propel forward motion.
• EVA footbed with contoured footbed with arch support.

Useful Information

• Designed specifically to fit women’s feet.
• Half sizes and lots of colors and patterns available.

Intended Uses

• Suitable for
  • long walks and moderate hikes;
  • paddling;
  • boating;
  • walking on slippery rocks or surfaces at the river, lake, or ocean;
  • travel;
  • wade fishing;
  • paddling;
  • boating.

• Better options available for:
  • challenging hikes;
  • beachwear.

Conclusion

These women-specific Keen water shoes are attractive and versatile shoes that take you on your outdoor adventures and then, out to lunch or dinner. You can pair them with any athletic or casual outfit and be extremely comfortable and supported.

They are made from a quick-drying washable polyester upper that is equipped with anti-odor control. The footbed is contoured with plenty of arch support. The thick sole and EVA midsole cushions and supplies shock absorption and the outsole provides deep lugs for a stable walk no matter the terrain you find on your summer adventures.

Keen Evofit 1 Sandals

Features

• Lace-capture system for a quick and secure fit to shape of the foot.
• TPU reinforcement for durability.
• Multi-directional lugs with razor siping and Aquagrip for ultimate traction.
• Cleansport NXT for odor control.
• Quick-drying synthetic upper.
• PU midsole for comfort.
• Removable metatomical footbed with arch support.
• Rubber toe box for protection.
• Toe rocker to help with natural walking gait.

Other Information

• Sock-like adaptive upper.
• Lightweight.
• PFC-free water repellant.
• Half sizes available.
• Limited color selection.

Intended Uses

• Suitable for:
  • long walks in the city or hikes on moderate trails.
  • walking on slippery rocks or surfaces at the river, lake, or ocean;
  • travel;
  • water sports like paddling, rafting, or kayaking;
  • sailing or boating;
  • swimming:
  • wade fishing.

• Better options available for:
  • beachwear – sand will get in;
  • challenging hikes – not enough protection;

Conclusion

Water-loving adventurers will do well with this shoe. It is one of the best Keen water shoes currently on the market. 

Featuring moisture-resistant EVOFIT fabric, these Keen water shoes are breathable, comfortable, and mold sock-like to the shape of your feet. Together with the lacing system, you get a secure fit that comfortably connects your foot to the midsole and outsole to give stability on uneven surfaces. The traction on the outsole is exceptional with deep multidirectional lugs and razor siping technology to grip surfaces and expel water.

As for comfort, the midsole in these Keen sandals absorbs shock and propels you forward. The metatomical footbed cradles the foot and provides superb arch support. The sock-like collar supplies softness and the anti-odor control keeps your feet smelling fresh even after a long day of activities.

Previous Winner: Best Keen Waterproof Sandals

Currently, these Keen waterproof sandals are not available. However, they may come back in stock and when they do, they offer excellent features for a fantastic water shoe.

Keen Venice II H2 Sandals

Features

• Non-marking rubber outsole with good traction.
• Quick lace capture system and adjustable heel strap for a custom fit.
• Toe rocker to proper forward when walking.
• Rubber overlay over toe box for protection.
• Midsole stability shank.
• Washable and breathable polyester webbing upper.
• EVA midsole for cushion with metatomical footbed with excellent arch support.
• Cleansport NXT anti-odor protection.

Useful Information

• Water repellant is PFC-free.
• Available in half sizes.

Intended Uses

• Suitable uses:
  • long walks and moderate hikes;
  • city wear;
  • walking on slippery rocks or surfaces at the river, lake, or ocean;
  • boating;
  • wade fishing;
  • paddling;
  • swimming.

• Better options available for:
  • challenging hikes;
  • beachwear (sand a nuisance).

Conclusion

These are one of the best Keen water shoes for women. They supply the lace capture system for a quick and secure fit to the individual shape of your feet, as well as an adjustable hook and loop enclosure around the heel. For stability, the midsole shank ensures your foot does not torque while walking. The rubber overlay over the toe box offers durability and protection for your toes while you enjoy your outdoor adventures.

They provide excellent comfort with a footbed that cradles the shape of your foot and strong arch support. The thick outer sole and midsole cushion offer good shock absorption while walking. The traction is good, the materials are breathable and quick-drying, and the anti-odor feature will keep you feeling fresh after a busy day enjoying the outdoors. 

These Keen water shoes are intended to give you more support with the thick outsole and midsole shank rather than closer contact with surfaces that a flexible forefoot and a low drop heel would provide (see Keen Clearwater or SOLR).

Buyer’s Guide To The Best Keen Water Shoes

Keen includes a lot of its own footwear technology in their water shoes. Here is an explanation of some of the key terminology.

Aquagrip rubber

• Is a type of rubber specifically designed to gain traction in wet environments.

Aqua Stop Zonal Sipping

• Is a design that helps wick water away from underneath outsoles.

Cleansport NXT

• The use of pro-biotic or live micro-organisms to eliminate fungi or bacteria which causes odor.

KEEN.ALL-TERRAIN rubber outsole

• A special type of rubber that is effective in multiple environments and various terrains.

Multi-directional lug pattern on outsole

• Different tread patterns on the outsole for exceptional grip.

TPU stability shank

• Firm supportive structure that lies between the outsole and insole and fitted under the arch area to stop the whole shoe from torquing when walking.

Metatomical Footbed Design

• Insole that is anatomically designed around the shape of the foot with special emphasis on the first metatarsal joint (big toe).

Razor siping

• Rubber outsole design which squeezes out water from the tread just like a tire, to add traction and prevent slipping on wet surfaces.

How To Compare Keen Water Shoes

Sometimes it is overwhelming to look at a website and see several shoes in a category, all of which seem like they would work for your needs. However, when you look closely at the shoes, you can see there are differences. You are not sure why and whether those differences are important for your intended use of the shoes.

The best Keen water shoes are not any different. Here are some of the features that you should be examining.

Outsoles

Generally, the thicker the outsole, the more cushion you will get (although with advanced footwear technology, that is not always the case). With Keen water shoes, comfort is derived from many factors such as contoured footbeds, arch support, and EVA midsole cushion, in addition to the thickness of a outsole.

A thick outsole offers protection from sharp objects underfoot. If you are planning on spending lots of time outside, on trails or in rocky waters, this is an important consideration. Keen offers several water shoes with thick outsoles. Keen Newport range is an iconic example of that.

However, the thicker the sole, the higher your body of gravity and the harder it would be to keep your balance on slippery or wavy conditions. If you are planning to use your Keen water shoes to stand on boats, you will need to keep this in mind.

Keen offers water sandals with thinner outsoles with lots of flex in the forefoot so that you can have more stable contact to surfaces, like the deck of a boat. Please see Keen Clearwater CNX and Keen SOLR water shoes for examples of those.

Toe Protection In Keen Water Shoes

Keen is an industry leader in designing and supplying water shoes with the rubber overlay over the toe box. This is a significant feature for anyone who will be doing any activity where your toes might get hurt. In particular, walking over rocks in water when you may not be able to see below the water. They also are a good choice if you will be walking on uneven trails. If you trip, you want to have toe protection. Open-toe sandals do not offer this defence.

Arch Support

The best Keen water shoes supply arch support. If you are spending the day on your feet, having arch support is important for your overall comfort. Most Keen water sandals offer excellent arch support with their metatomical footbed. If you are looking for less arch support, avoid these shoes and pay close attention to the side silhouette of the shoes. You will want to see less height increase in the middle of the shoe between the forefoot and the heel.

Toe Rocker

A toe rocker is when the front of the shoe is lifted off the ground in a curving direction. If a shoe has a toe rocker, then its design is meant to mimic the natural forward motion of walking. Our heel strikes the ground, then the foot rolls forward from the heel to the toe, and then, we push off with the toe. The more lift and curve to the toe rocker, the bigger the forward propulsion that the shoe helps to create.

If you are looking for more stable shoes, then you will want less of a toe rocker, if any.

Care of Keen Water Shoes

All keen water shoes, except the Keen Targhee III H2 Open Toe sandals, are machine washable. That also includes those uppers made from leather. They are remarkably easy to clean and care for, and make an excellent choice for busy lives.

Keen Targhee III H2 Open Toe sandals require a bit more work – hand sponge – but are still straightforward and easy to look after.

Most other Keen shoes are not machine washable.

Last Word

Keen offers a number of superb water shoes and sandals. They supply comfort, stability and support, and most are attractive and stylish. Regardless of your outdoor water adventures, Keen has a shoe that will make it better and safer.