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Three Things To Know
- RRP £95 at time of writing: excellent value for such a versatile shoe
- Come in half sizes: Men's 6-14, women's 2.5-8.5
- Versatile: Comfortable for trail walking, stylish enough for every day wear, and protective during water activities
Our rating:
Comfort and Fit
Materials, Durability and Quality
Weight and Flexibility
Grip and Traction
Check availability at Keen.com.
The US, family-owned Keen is now into its third decade, and the company’s progression towards the perfect shoe that does no harm seems to be delivering on every level. As well as eschewing forever chemicals, they focus on an ethical supply chain, and make durable, long-lasting footwear that won’t need replacing.
Their latest walking sandal is a triumph of a hybrid all-purpose shoe – comfortable for trail walking; stylish for everyday wear; protective and supple for wet activities.
First Impressions
This is a great-looking sandal that slips on easily, wrapping itself around your foot to deliver a sturdy and supportive shoe that has a foot in both the sandal and walking shoe camps. The fact it’s also ideal for any wet activities, from kayaking and paddleboarding to shore walking and clambering in and out of lakes and streams, only makes it more valuable in your closet.
Lightweight yet sturdy, it very quickly became my go-to shoe as soon as the weather warmed up. No need to pack for every occasion – these will seemingly do the lot.
Comfort and Fit
With heel hooks you can actually get your finger into and webbing with plenty of give, these are easy on and off. Once on, they feel snug and secure thanks to a neat bungee fastener.
Extra space at the front is great for wider feet, as it allows your toes to spread naturally, meaning you don’t feel laced up.
The toe bumper is a neat addition, offering great protection to make these a genuine active shoe, as well as great water wear.
As someone not used to this kind of hybrid, it took a little getting used to the Hyperport, and after a couple of hours of walking through streams, up slopes and along uneven trails, I was ready to slip them off and let the cool water wash over my bare feet. But that’s only after sustained multi-use, and even then, after 10 minutes, I pulled them back on and felt ready to tackle the return journey.
In less-demanding conditions, I’ve worn them all day, going about my regular business, and felt good. The air-injected foam sole cushions really well, and the extra arch support is very much appreciated to limit plantar fascia discomfort. The pesticide-free odour control treatment is a welcome addition.
Materials, Durability and Quality
It’s part of Keen’s DNA to make their shoes as durable as possible and the Hyperport feels no different here. In fact, despite pretty rigorous testing, these still look (and smell!) like new.
Weight and Flexibility
Considering how supportive the sole is, this is a pretty flexible pair of sandals, and they cope well over bumpy and rocky ground. I have tried other sandals that offer more flexibility, but the pay off with those is that you lose the strong arch support that makes the Hyperport good if you suffer with plantar fasciitis. They're pretty lightweight too, and are easy to shove into a day pack without over-cramming it.
Grip and Traction
Keen’s proprietary Aquagrip rubber is great on wet surfaces, and they’re clever in only using the rubber for direct contact areas, keeping the overall weight down. In drier conditions, they feel like most sneakers in terms of both grip and comfort.
Value For Money
Given that you’re unlikely to need to replace these in a long time, it looks to me like money well spent.
Sustainability
Keen shoes are guaranteed free of "forever chemicals" or Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), which are a group of thousands of man-made chemicals that are widely used in various industries and consumer products due to their unique properties like water and grease resistance.
Keen also uses materials like webbing made from post-consumer plastic bottles and outsoles made with agricultural waste.
Should You Buy It?
Great for everyday wear, shore walks, water sports, and inland trails, these make a great all-rounder.
SQUIRREL_13215911
Find out more in our guide to the best walking sandals.
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