Keen sandals are an excellent choice for outdoor walking and trail walking, especially if you enjoy them.
They offer reliable comfort and support, along with excellent grip, traction, and protection, helping outdoor enthusiasts feel confident during outdoor and trail walking.
In this guide, we highlight some of the top Keen sandal models, such as Rose, Venice, Uneek EVO, and Targhee, to inspire confidence in your choices.
Table of Contents
- What to Look for in a Sandal for Walking
- Why Choose Keen Walking Sandals
- Features of a Good Keen Walking Sandal
- Reviews: The Best Keen Walking Sandal
- Index Table: Top Rated Keen Walking Sandals
What to Look for in a Sandal for Walking
When walking, you need to consider these points, especially when wearing sandals.
- Comfortable Fit – Most sandals do not offer a very comfortable fit for walking; they slip, chafe, and cause significant irritation. This is why you should opt for sandals with an adjustable or more flexible upper material, such as leather or stretch fabric, to ensure a snug yet comfortable fit for walking. You want a sandal that will not slip off your feet easily, so opting for sandals with a closed-heel design or a heel strap, rather than flip-flops or slide-on models, is always wiser.
- Good Cushioning and Support – Because there is an impact on your feet when you walk, you will need a sandal that does not just have a thin and flat sole but a cushioned footbed and shock-absorbing midsoles such as EVA or foam, to absorb the impact and keep your feet comfortable while walking. Stability features such as a contoured footbed, a stability shank, and a more locked-in heel fit are especially desirable for walking on uneven and slippery terrain and for those with pronation issues, including excessive overpronation.
- Grip and Traction – Then again, you need a sandal with a lug tread on the sole, depending on your walking surface. You need something that provides optimal grip and traction for wet, slippery, and uneven outdoor terrains. For road walking, you can settle for a less lug outsole and less grip.
- Underfoot Protection – On hard roads, outdoor terrains, or any surface, you require underfoot protection against impact and protruding objects that can cause puncture injuries. A thick rubber outsole or a shank usually provides effective protection on a walking sandal.
- Durability – All in all, the sandal’s sole and uppers need to consist of durable and quality materials, with quality construction for the sandal to last long and endure walking regularly.
Why Choose Keen Walking Sandals
Keen sandals are designed to handle outdoor and trail walking with durability, making them suitable for various terrains, including road walking.
Keen sandals incorporate shock-absorbing midsoles and multi-lug treads, providing comfort and grip on all terrains, which is essential for outdoor walking.
They also have stability features that give you more control on uneven and slippery surfaces and help maintain your walking pattern.
Keen sandals are built to last, with thick rubber soles that provide excellent traction and grip on wet, uneven, and slippery surfaces, giving you confidence and peace of mind in their durability.
A Keen sandal’s fit is usually adjustable and so comfortable that you will thoroughly enjoy walking in them.
Features of a Good Keen Walking Sandal

- Uppers – Keen sandals mostly come with either textile, polyester, or recycled plastic uppers and are sometimes cushioned. The uppers are fully adjustable for fit, water-resistant, and quick-drying. You also get leather uppers on some models with a textile lining and good water resistance.
- Fit – Keen sandal offers a comfortable, roomy fit with fully adjustable uppers for a custom fit. They have a more locked-in heel design for stability and ankle protection.
- Support and Comfort – For support and comfort, Keen sandals have a cushioned PU insole and an EVA foam midsole for shock absorbency and, in some models, a stability shank for support. Their sandal has a contoured footbed for full support, and the cushioning is very lightweight.
- Outsole – Keen sandals feature a durable rubber outsole. Some models have zonal flex grooves for flexibility in the sole, and others have a shank for stability. The outsole of the outdoor trail models features a Multi-lug tread for optimal grip. While other models have a less aggressive, non-marking tread.
- Closure – The Adjustable uppers have a hook and loop Velcro closure for some models, while the more closed styles have a bungee lace system.
- Odor Protection – Keen sandals have a natural pro-biotic-based odor protection treatment in the footbed to fight bacteria and odors.
- Options – You get Keen sandals in more colors, usually neutral shades. There are wider half-sizes or medium-fit full-size options available.
Reviews: The Best Keen Walking Sandal
These are some of our top favorite Keen sandal models that are ideal for walking.
1
Walking Sandal
- The Keen Rose and Venice are great-looking and very comfortable sandals for walking.
- They both have polyester-lined uppers that are durable and water-resistant.
- There is a cushioned PU footbed and EVA midsole for shock absorbency.
- The footbed is treated with a natural probiotic-based odor-resistant technology.
- The outsole has multi-directional lugs for extra grip and consists of durable rubber.
2
Walking Sandals
- The Keen Uneek EVO is a light and comfortable sandal ideal for walking.
- The sandal has corded fabric uppers that are soft, durable, and stretchable.
- The footbed has a Metatomical design, proper arch support and cushioning, and a lightweight PU midsole.
- The sandals are extremely durable and easy to clean.
- They are likewise available in more color options.
3
Sandal for Walking
- The keen Targhee and Terradora are similar sandals for outdoor and trail walking.
- They have water-resistant recycled plastic and polyester uppers that dry quickly.
- The footbed is contoured with arch support and cushioning for shock absorbency and full support.
- The lug multi-directional tread rubber outsole is durable and slip-resistant.
- You can choose from a few available colors for these sandal models.
4
Sandal for Walking
- The Keen Clearwater CNX is also ideal for outdoor and trail walking.
- The sandal has water-resistant, quick-drying polyester uppers with an adjustable fit.
- There is a 4mm midsole drop and a supportive cushioned footbed.
- The footbed is treated with Aegis treatment for odor resistance.
- The outsole is flexible, with flex grooves and multi-directional lugs for grip.
- The outsole is a very durable rubber design.
5
Walking Sandals
- The Keen Whisper and Arroyo are comfortable walking sandals with adjustable uppers.
- The uppers are made of synthetic polyester for water resistance and comfort.
- The footbed is cushioned with a compression-molded EVA midsole for shock absorbency.
- There is likewise a stability shank and hydrophobic mesh lining for comfort and support.
- The outsole is lugged and made of very durable rubber.
6
Sandal for Walking
- The Keen SOLR sport is a sporty comfort sandal ideal for walking on various surfaces.
- It has a locked-heel design for stability and recycled-plastic uppers that are water- and abrasion-resistant.
- The outsole is a non-marking rubber with a lug tread for grip on slippery surfaces.
- The EVA footbed provides optimal support and cushioning for shock absorbency.
- There are also a few more color options available to you.
7
Sandals for Walking
- The Keen Newport h2 sandal is a water-friendly sandal model from Keen that is perfect for walking.
- The uppers are washable. and water-resistant polyester that is adjustable and quick-drying.
- There is a contoured and cushioned EVA. footbed for support and comfort.
- The bungee lace-up system offers a comfortable fit.
- The sandal has a Multi-directional lug rubber outsole for optimal traction on outdoor trails.
8
Sandals for Walking
- The Keen Uneek is a more casual walking sandal that is less rugged.
- It features a closed style toe with soft and flexible braided nylon cords that is stronger with a fit that will mold to the shape of your feet.
- The outsole is a high traction non-marking rubber.
- There is a metatomical cushioned footbed for support and comfort.
- There are also plenty more color options available in this range.
9
Sandals for Walking
- The Keen arroyo 2 is a rugged and comfortable sandal for walking.
- They are a closed fisherman’s style with leather uppers and a synthetic lining.
- The sandals have an EVA cushioned footbed for support and a bungee lace system for a comfortable fit.
- The outsole is a non-marking durable rubber.
10
Sandals for Walking
- The Keen Clearwater CNX is a water-friendly sandal ideal for walking.
- The sandal has 100% polyester uppers that are adjustable and quick drying.
- There is a cushioned footbed with contoured arch support and a 4mm midsole drop for walking.
- The outsole is rugged with multi-direction flex grooves and rubber for trail walking and slip resistance.
- More color options are likewise available in this range.
11
Sandals for Walking
- The Keen Kona Flip Flops are the ideal design for light hikes or walking trips.
- They are washable polyester sandals with a PFC water repellent lining.
- They have a durable rubber outsole with high traction pods and a comfortable EVA midsole and footbed for support.
- The flip flops are available in more colors from which you can choose.
Index Table: Top Rated Keen Walking Sandals
| No. | Product | Men ♂ | Women ♀ | Features | Brand | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Keen® - Walking Sandal | Venice | Rose |
| Keen | 98 |
| 2 | Keen® - Walking Sandals | Uneek Evo | Uneek Evo |
| Keen | 97.9 |
| 3 | Keen® - Sandal for Walking | Targhee 3 | Terradora |
| Keen | 97 |
| 4 | Keen® - Sandal for Walking | Clearwater CNX | Clearwater CNX |
| Keen | 97.5 |
| 5 | Keen® - Walking Sandals | Arroyo 2 | Whisper |
| Keen | 97.7 |
| 6 | Keen® - Sandal for Walking | SOLR Sport | SOLR Sport |
| Keen | 96.9 |
| 7 | Keen® - Sandals for Walking | Newport H2 | Newport H2 |
| Keen | 98.3 |
| 8 | Keen® - Sandals for Walking | Uneek | Uneek |
| Keen | 98 |
| 9 | Keen® - Sandals for Walking | Arroyo 2 | Arroyo 2 |
| Keen | 97.7 |
| 10 | Keen® - Sandals for Walking | Clearwater CNX | Clearwater CNX |
| Keen | 97.4 |
| 11 | Keen® - Sandals for Walking | Kona | Kona |
| Keen | 97 |