KEEN-parison: Which Shoes Are Best For My Kid’s Summer Camp?

Here comes summer, which means summer vacation, which usually means kids heading to camp to make memories and have adventures outside. From DIY camp in the neighborhood with friends to outside day camps a bit further away, what does your kiddo need in their bag of gear? Sunscreen? Bug spray? Swim goggles?

Don’t forget about shoes! Rather than sending them loaded down with sandals, hiking shoes, and water shoes, get them one pair that can pull triple-duty.

Our kids' original hybrid sandals are a great choice for kids getting ready for summer camp fun. All are technically water shoes but are actually great all-around summer shoes. They’re well-ventilated for hot summer weather but have a protective closed toe (a requirement for many summer camps!). Kids can wear them 24/7 on land (for hikes, games, arts and crafts class, and marshmallow roasting ‘round the fire) and in water (think dips in the lake, canoeing, even hitting the showers).

That's Seacamp II CNX on the left and Newport H2 on the right.

All the shoes on this list can go from swimming to kickball to sipping bug juice at the mess hall. But which kids’ camp shoes should you pick? We can help you decide with this handy chart.

(Psst . . . don’t miss the best part of this chart; all of them are machine washable. Because kids love to get shoes dirty dirty.)

If charts aren’t your thing, we’ve got an overview of KEEN camp shoes right here:

Kids' Newport H2: This rugged, supportive sandal is up for all types of terrain (wet and dry). A sturdy rubber outsole helps kids keep a sturdy stance on wet rocks or slick piers. These kids’ sandals are based on our first-ever shoe, the Newport sandal. It was invented as a sailing shoe, but we think of it more as a doing-anything-and-everything shoe.

Kids' Newport Neo H2: Our Newport Neo sandal is a cross between the classic Newport shoe and a sporty sneaker. The EVA midsole gives it a lightweight, cushioned feel (for all the scrambling around they’re gonna do at camp). The secure, quick-cinch bungee lacing system lets kids loosen and tighten them throughout the day.

Kids' Seacamp II CNX: The Seacamp still has grip and a snug fit but with a slimmer look and a more barefoot feel. A great one for kids who’d rather not wear shoes at all (but that’s against camp policy, right?).

Kids' Stingray: Our Stingray sandals have a soft, lightweight upper that's water- and abrasion-resistant. Instead of a bungee closure, they come equipped with just one hook-and-loop strap. They’re low to the ground and have Aquagrip traction for better grip on everything from dewy grass to outdoor showers.

The ideal camp shoe is one that can get muddy and wet and keep on truckin’. All these shoes make the grade! And when your kiddo comes home at the end with a backpack full of dirty gear, their KEEN camp shoes can go straight into the washing machine (thank goodness).