Keen H2 Sandals - for no-nonsense or fashion sense activity
Written: Sep 13 '09 (Updated Sep 15 '09)
Product Rating:
Pros: Smart design, comfort, fit, durability
Cons: They'll keep you off the fashion show runways.
The Bottom Line: When comfort, fit, durability and convenience trump any fashion notion in your active adventures, the Keen H2 is a choice worth considering.
When my sister-in-law declared my footwear “ugly,” I knew I was stepping in the right direction. After several months in my sandals, I’ve come to not just enjoy them but rely on them for a variety of adventures. The Keen Port H2 sandals are a fine choice for rugged, outdoor activity with an accepted level of style that says casual, contemporary and cool without being militant.
In no way am I conscious of footwear trends or even care about styles. I have a spouse who ensures my shoes are squared away and polished and I have the minimum amount of business sense to know that Birkenstocks probably don’t belong in the executive conference room. However, for “technical” applications – sports, recreation, weather and personal protection – the kind of footwear I wear isn’t just important but critical. Well chosen footwear for activity and repelling nature’s onslaught can mean the difference between having fun while achieving grace and suffering discomfort while failing in the process. I know folks who don’t spend less than $250 on a pair of shoes they use to walk around the office but fret at buying a pair of hiking boots or ski boots costing more than $50. In my case I’d far more tolerate the scorn of fashion-critical co-workers who dismiss my Payless sourced dress shoes than I would tolerate ill-fitting cycling shoes or slip-prone backpacking boots. In the case of my Keen H2s, I suffer no such downsides.
What is the Keen Port H2 The H2 is a lightweight sandal built on a lugged sole with synthetic webbing, a heel strap and elastic cord that adjusts for fit. It includes Keen’s bulbous signature rubber toe guard.
Background and reasons to buy the H2 I own a number of sandals from makers other than Keen and enjoy casual footwear when I’m knocking around town or am involved in short hikes on paved or well-maintained trails. It’s good to get some air on my feet. Occasionally, when I encounter water and more challenging terrain in such sandals, I can falter and the water wreaks havoc on the leather. Also, the typical open toe design of regular sandals leave toes exposed to stubbing and cuts. In the last few years I find myself in a kayak more. Conventional footwear such as sneakers or strolling sandals become ruined and doesn’t perform well.
The Keen H2 addresses these issues well. The following design aspects show how.
The carbon rubber lugged sole is grippy in a variety of situations including wet trails and decks. The lugs wrap up to the sidewalls of the sole providing traction on uneven surfaces.
An open web design drains water quickly and allows air circulation to prevent waterlogged feet.
Synthetic materials all around dry quickly and avoid water retention, clammy feel and rot.
Keen’s toe guard is more than a brand trademark. It effectively shields toes from the slings and arrows of outrageous and painful rocks and other hazards. Its hard form also protects the tops of the toes from falling objects. The significant toe guard is the biggest reason I chose the H2 over competitors. There are a number of copy-cat designs but none have the protection that I see with the Keen. Comfort and Fit Arguments from my sister-in-law notwithstanding, no footwear, regardless of features or style, are worth wearing if they don’t fit well and are uncomfortable. Fortunately, the H2s have a satisfying fit and a number of aspects conspire to assure comfort. Starting with the sole, its two-layer design, a relatively hard and stiff bottom provides support and prevents objects from poking or penetrating from below. The upper layer is a soft, cushy closed cell foam that absorbs shock. The layer is molded into a curved footbed, what Keen calls “metatomical” form that cradles the bottom of the feet and provides sure footing.
A heel strap keeps the sandal in place. A pull-tab stitched securely onto the strap makes it easy to put the sandal on and off. A quick-to-use, single, looped elastic cord lacing draws the webbing together to provide a form fit.
The sandals come in half sizes from 8 through 12 plus size 13 and 14. This is significant in that rather than making a limited set of size steps (i.e., XS, S, M, L, XL, etc.) prospective buyers are likely to find a perfect fit. In the field I’ve had the H2s for a number of months. I’ve worn them on long hikes in urban, park and cross-country terrain. Some of those treks include water crossings and mud. As mentioned, I wear the Keens when I’m kayaking fresh water lakes and rivers. The H2s perform consistently and remain comfortable. A benefit of the synthetic material is that it dries quickly and, thusly, keeps the feet dry.
Where I used to consciously tread each step carefully with other sandals to avoid toe hazards, wearing the Keens with the toe guards let me to focus further down the trail and enjoy the scenery. Certainly the open, webbed design allows pebbles and other detritus inside the sandal but it doesn’t occur as much as I had thought it would. The ability to quickly remove, clear and don the sandal makes the occurrence less irksome.
During kayaking, it’s great to have the proper footwear. If only one were to remain in the boat during an adventure, regular sandals would suffice. However, one necessarily has to wade a bit to launch and to return. Also, there are times when portaging or simply taking a break on a rocky bank makes one thankful for proper sandals. Durability Despite months of use in challenging environments, I see relatively little wear on my H2s. Keen uses a “carbon rubber” sole that supposedly provides greater durability. The webbing material also seems to be impervious to wear. Even the color has held up nicely. Indeed a quick hosing down and scrubbing with a stiff brush restores the look of the sandals to a near new appearance.
Indeed, one can get away with wearing these highly performing sandals in their renewed state to informal, casual gatherings without fear of fashion rejection. A low profile keeps them subdued and neutral.
Also, a cleaning routine should be obvious when the sandals, like any other footwear used for strenuous activities, get funky and ripe. By contrast, my leather sandals are for more subject to developing odors during use.
Value At its now available price of less than $50 (in my case I was able to snag a new pair for less than $20 when my green H2s were discontinued), the H2 provides reasonable value for its smartness of design and build.
Summary The Keen Port H2 is a smartly designed sandal that provides comfort, convenience, fit, protection and durability with a modicum of style, albeit not universally appreciated, that is worth a look if you are seeking a comfortable, capable, do-it-all sandal.
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