I’m a total sucker for a Keen hiking sandal and the more eye-catching the better. A good few years back, I remember being a big fan of the yellow camo patterned Keen EvoFit One – a marmite shoe if ever there was one – and I’ve always been firmly in the ‘for’ camp in regards to the very unique Keen Uneek. This, the Keen Hyerport H2, is therefore right up my street, and, following my testing period with it, I’d say it’s probably the comfiest and most practical sandal from the U.S. brand that I’ve tried so far.

This is a sandal – or shandal – that’s designed for activities near water, prioritising grip on wet and hard surfaces, good drainage and a very fast drying time; all the qualities you need when you’re walking along rocky riversides while searching for a wild swimming spot or when you’re rockpooling on the coast or even kayaking or paddleboarding. Based on the original Newport sandal which Keen has been making for over 20 years, the Hyperport retains the popular aspects of that model, but it’s a fair bit lighter and comfier and a touch more modern. It’s been a success from the get-go, picking up a coveted ISPO award following its launch earlier this year.

Fit

I had the Hyperport H2 in my usual size, a UK size 10, and it fitted perfectly and very comfortably. It comes with the classic Keen fit. That means it has a generously-sized toe box with plenty of wiggle room and then a standard fit throughout the rest of the shoe. I like this shape and tend to get on very well with all Keen shoes, though I know that people with very narrow feet can find them just a bit too wide.

Design

The Hyperport H2 has a chunky sole that feels very spongy and shock absorbing. There’s clearly some kind of plate within the midsole which creates a degree of stiffness and protection underfoot and there’s also a lot of arch support too. The outsole design appears to prioritise grip on hard surfaces, with a soft rubber compound and a ridged pattern that creates a large amount of surface contact.

The upper is made from a stretchy mesh and webbing straps that are all pulled in around the food via a toggled bungee. It’s a closed-toe design but there’s still bucket loads of ventilation across the foot. The upper also comes treated with a PFAS-free DWR and an eco-friendly anti-odour solution.

Performance

I’ve been wearing the Keen Hyperport H2 around and about for the last few months on short dog walks around my village and for trips to the beach. I also recently took my pair with me on a road trip around the coat of Brittany in France and it was a trip that they were a perfect match for.