Girls’s KEEN Newport H2 Mountaineering Sandal Overview

Backside Line

The KEEN Newport H2 climbing sandals might be aptly described as “amphibious.” Perfect for hikers in want of sturdiness, this adaptable sandal-sneaker hybrid performs effectively in each moist and dry environments. That includes a quick-toggle bungee lace system and a grippy outsole, they guarantee a safe match and wonderful traction, even on steep or slippery terrain. The thick midsole supplies exceptional power return, making these sandals a terrific possibility for many who prioritize consolation on prolonged hikes.

Nevertheless, the Newport H2 might not be appropriate for hikers with wider toes due to its cosy match, and the heel strap can turn into uncomfortable throughout extended use. Weighing near 11 ounces per shoe, they’re heavier and bulkier in comparison with commonplace climbing sandals, which limits their practicality for these looking for a light-weight, packable possibility. However, their functionality to function each climbing and water sneakers makes them an interesting alternative for numerous out of doors adventures. You possibly can see extra choices in our ladies’s climbing sandal gear information.

How We Examined

We’ve worn the KEEN Newport H2 for over a dozen path miles throughout a number of brief hikes to guage them for numerous efficiency metrics. We contemplate consolation, stability, sturdiness, traction, ease of use, and weight and packability when testing climbing sandals.

Consolation

Our tester didn’t love the KEEN Newport H2 relating to match and luxury. They felt a bit too slender for her toes (and he or she has a fairly impartial width), each by way of the midfoot and within the toe field, even with the bungee laces adjusted as loosely as potential. Somebody with narrower toes could need to contemplate these, as they’d probably present a safer match than many different climbing sandals. 

The heel strap started to dig into her Achilles tendon after about 1.5 miles, and it actually began to harm after roughly three miles of climbing. It reached some extent the place our tester was continuously stopping to readjust her toes and the straps to alleviate the stress. 

Nevertheless, it’s not all dangerous. We actually just like the midsoles on the Newport H2s: they’re on the thicker facet and are fairly inflexible, however not in a foul method. They don’t take up shock like sneakers, however they supply quite a lot of power return, which makes us really feel gentle and bouncy on our toes. 

We wore these with socks and with out socks; with out them, we observed a blister forming the place the heel strap pressed into the Achilles on each heels. But, regardless of the tightness of the heel strap, we had ample room between the ends of our toes and the entrance of the shoe, which we have been grateful for. We discovered the arch assist on the Newport H2s to be better and extra snug than comparable types, such because the HOKA Hopara 2 and KEEN Rose.

Stability

You gained’t discover many climbing sandals that present extra stability than the Eager Newport H2s. Since these are sandal-sneaker hybrid sneakers, they match very like path trainers in that they’re cosy, safe, and protecting.

For our tester (who has impartial toes), they’re nearly too cosy, so we wouldn’t advocate them to people with large toes. The midsole is inflexible, which reinforces stability however diminishes floor really feel. You gained’t really feel rocks beneath your toes within the Newport H2s. 

The higher is versatile sufficient to allow full flexion and extension of the toe joints, but cosy sufficient to maintain your toes safe even when transferring downhill at quick paces. 

Notably, on account of their cosy match, these may very well be a very good possibility for folks whose toes are inclined to get very sweaty. We wore these on a heat day, and regardless of our toes changing into fairly sweaty, they didn’t slip round within the sandal.

Traction

We wore the KEEN Newport H2 sandals on numerous path surfaces, together with dry, packed filth, unfastened sand, gravel, and chunkier rocks. We additionally took them up and down steep, gravelly inclines on forest roads. They carried out effectively in each state of affairs, even on the steeper, slippery segments. We even ran down vital declines and didn’t expertise any points with slipping or sliding.

Moreover, we wore these throughout just a few on-and-off wet days at camp, the place we spent plenty of time strolling round within the filth and dirt to prepare dinner, play with our canine, and work out. We’re totally impressed with their traction, particularly contemplating the outsole lugs aren’t significantly deep. The rubber is simply that sticky!

Sturdiness

These are definitely among the many high choices for sturdiness in climbing sandals. The outsole and toe bumper are constructed from dense rubber, whereas the higher encompasses a mixture of suede and woven textiles. 

All cloth elements incorporate double-stitching to cut back the danger of fraying or unfastened stitches. Moreover, the bungee laces are thick and sturdy towards fraying. 

The one subject we foresee is with the plastic lace toggle. It’s a reasonably delicate piece, so with continued use, it may break. To this point, nevertheless, now we have encountered no issues.

Weight & Packability

We don’t contemplate these sneakers packable, and we don’t suppose most hikers—particularly backpackers—would both. Weighing almost 11 ounces per shoe, they’re among the many heaviest sandals now we have ever worn. 

Along with their weight, they’re fairly cumbersome and can be cumbersome to pack as a second pair of sneakers. Nevertheless, the intent behind the sneakers is to remove the necessity for packing a water shoe solely.

If it’s heat sufficient exterior, you possibly can merely put on these KEENs for all moist and dry segments while not having a second pair. So, whereas not packable, they may finally enable you to cut back your pack weight on this method.

Ease of Use

Our tester discovered the Newport H2 fairly troublesome to placed on and take off. As a result of there is no such thing as a adjustment level on the heel, she needed to loosen the bungee laces all the best way, and even then she struggled to slip her toes into the sandals.

It was considerably of a battle, she admits, and with moist or sweaty toes, it was even worse. Folks with narrower toes could not have a difficulty sliding their toes by way of the considerably small ankle collars.

Ought to You Purchase the KEEN Newport H2?

In the event you’re a narrow-footed hiker searching for a sturdy, versatile sandal that performs effectively on each moist and dry terrain, the KEEN Newport H2 is price contemplating. Its amphibious design eliminates the necessity to pack separate water sneakers, and its wonderful traction and energy-returning midsole make it appropriate for numerous path situations.

Nevertheless, hikers with large toes or these prioritizing light-weight, packable footwear could need to look elsewhere. For many who worth stability, sturdiness, and a safe match, the Newport H2 is a dependable funding.

What Different Girls’s Mountaineering Sandals Ought to You Think about?

If the KEEN Newport H2 doesn’t fairly meet your wants, there are a number of comparable climbing sandals to select from. These alternate options supply distinctive options and benefits for hikers with completely different priorities and foot sorts.

Eager Rose Overview: Even narrower than the Newport H2, this lighter, extra female different makes use of a easy Velcro strap closure system (versus the Newport H2’s bungee lace with toggle). Whereas not as rugged, it performs effectively on delicate trails and provides ample safety for gentle climbing, informal outings, or water actions.

Ecco Yucatan Overview: The Ecco Yucatan is a traditional climbing sandal identified for its all-day consolation and spectacular arch assist. Its three adjustable straps guarantee a personalized match, making it a terrific alternative for impartial to slender toes. Perfect for warm-weather day hikes, it’s versatile sufficient for city exploration and out of doors adventures alike.

HOKA Hopara 2 Overview: The HOKA Hopara 2 blends climbing shoe stability with sandal breathability. Its closed-toe design and aggressive outsole lugs excel on most trails, whereas the cushioned midsole provides distinctive power return, particularly when bounding downhill. This hybrid sandal is ideal for these needing further safety and traction on difficult, moist, or rocky paths.