The Many Wild Adventures of My Newport Sandals
To celebrate 15 years of the original go-anywhere sandal, we’re sharing our favorite fan stories. Since we launched the Newport sandal in 2003, it’s been part of millions of adventures and has become a globally recognized symbol for travel, outdoor fun, and footwear innovation. What’s your best Newport story? Tag #KEENnewport on Instagram or send your story to fanstories@keenfootwear.com for a chance to be featured.
Dear KEEN,
Because I LOVE my KEEN Newport sandals so much, back in 2005 I started taking a photo of my feet in them on every backpacking trip, camping trip, and road trip. My lime green ones (now at least 13 years old!) are still my favorites and, though past their prime, I still wear them.
Susquehanna River
I loved the green ones so much that I bought a second pair that same year. This time cranberry Newports sandals that went to Alaska, backpacking with me along the Root Glacier, and in Denali. My next Newport purchase was a navy pair that has been to New Hampshire, Maine, and the rocky northern Atlantic coastline.
New Hampshire
They have been with me on trails and in rivers in Maine, Alaska, Oregon, Texas, southern Florida coast, Daniel Boone Wilderness, Bryce, Grand Gulch, Rocky Mountain NP, Crater Lake, Acadia, Moosehead Lake, Great Salt Lake, Pacific, Atlantic, California, New Mexico, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, and hundreds of wet and dry places in between.
My green sandals loved the cold, clear, emerald green water of the Rogue River and the rocky Oregon Coast. My cranberry Newport sandals hiked the hot, waterless, dusty trail in Chaco Canyon for three days and were moved around one night by a mountain lion, who left its large paw prints in the soft soil in the dry wash beside our tent. Now THAT was a scary night!
Maine Coast
I still have and wear all three pairs. They have been with me on trails and in rivers in Maine, Alaska, Oregon, Texas, southern Florida coast, Daniel Boone Wilderness, Bryce, Grand Gulch, Rocky Mountain NP, Crater Lake, Acadia, Moosehead Lake, Great Salt Lake, Pacific, Atlantic, California, New Mexico, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, and hundreds of wet and dry places in between.
Yosemite National Park
Even after years of use, the quality of the materials and the craftsmanship shine bright. In honor of the 15th anniversary though....I might just have to buy a new pair!
- Debby Rudy, Dauphin, PA