KEEN Staff Picks: Our favorite summer sandals
In the summer, you can’t swing a tent pole at KEEN HQ without hitting someone in a UNEEK, Yogui, or Newport sandal. And if you ask KEEN employees about their favorites—as we did—you don’t just get a list of sandals, you get a list of adventures. From canoeing and camping, to…well, spreadsheet making and lawn mowing, KEEN employees have pushed sandal season to new territory.
Take a peek under our conference table to discover a new-to-you summer sandal—or get inspired to wear your favorites to new places.
Those funky cords
“The UNEEK O2 is my go-to, go-anywhere sandal. I have two pairs and they are my summer shoe of choice. They are so comfortable! I have worn them on all day urban adventures and I have strapped them on the front of my SUP. They are versatile, comfortable, and a conversation starter!” – Alie, Sr. Graphic Designer
“My favorite sandal is the UNEEK Monochrome. I’ve got the all black ones and usually wear them with bright socks. They’re a casual, wear-around-town kind of shoe, but also good for to work. I like that the monochrome goes with anything, jeans, pants, shorts etc." – Patrick, Global Business Technology Analyst
The KEEN office slipper
“The Yogui is my favorite KEEN sandal. I call it my official Office Slipper. They go with anything, from dress clothes to tee-shirts—and the ones with the fun prints are the best. They make me happy and remind me not to take life too seriously.” – Chris, Corporate Responsibility Director
“I just got a pair of the Yogui Artsfull sandals and I love them! They are my new go-to in the parking lot after mountain biking or hiking and they’re perfect camp sandals. Easy to slip on with socks and super cushy on my feet after a day of adventuring!” – Tina, Purchaser
The all-time favorite
“My Newport H2 sandals live in my car all summer and never get left behind on summer adventures. I spend a lot of time in the desert in Eastern Oregon and they are a life saver when plunging into streams to cool off. I haven’t stubbed a toe in years thanks to those big toed beauties!” – Tom, Strategic Programs Specialist
“The classic, tie-die Newport Retro is my favorite! They're great for canoeing, watersports, and the beach (and are comfortable for every day too). And they're versatile and go with my whole wardrobe! I wear them with shorts, skirts, jeans, swimwear—and NO SOCKS!” – Dana, Partner Services Representative
“I got my first two pairs of Newport sandals this year! I happened to get two Japan colorways, and my favorite so far is wearing one of each: a blue one and a green one. I'm being careful to wear all four evenly, so today is left blue right green, and tomorrow will probably be the opposite.” – Chris, Help Desk Analyst
Classy casual
“The Kaci Ana sandal is my favorite. That's all I wear during the summer! It was the only shoe I really wore in South Africa for 2.5 weeks. I wore it around the city and on my safaris. They are also good for the beach. The leather, lack of plastic, and cork-looking footbed make them incredibly classy so you can wear them with a multitude of outfits. I love that they are so extremely versatile, that the leather and footbed are extremely soft (so they are ridiculously comfortable), and how I can throw them in the washing machine with towels and they will look (and smell) good as new again!” – Mindy, Global Communications Manager
Photo credit - Julie Rosequist
“I am loving the Damaya Ankle sandal. It is comfortable, breezy, extremely lightweight, but still rugged, and the small straps (which do not rub me the wrong way) are feminine and stylish. The quaint little ankle strap gives me a bit of a vintage flare that I love. Wanting to get it in all the colors!” – Holly, Sr. Executive Assistant & Culture Curator
All the sandals
“I have so many favorites. I love how stretchy and comfy the UNEEK is, perfect for wearing to work in the summer—and they look great with socks as you can see them through the cords. I like my Newport sandals for biking or mowing the wet grass, and my Yogui sandals are perfect for travel; they look right at home in the PDX airport.” – Jody, GBT SAP FICO Functional Lead
If you missed it, we celebrated socks and sandals throughout the whole month of May (it was actually a month-long holiday and kinda a big thing around here). Don’t forget to pick up some comfy socks for your next chilly mornings around the campfire.