Men's Newport Leather Sandal Bison Bison / 7.5

I did not previously know the Keen brand, but bought it as my choice was not available from my usual brand of walking shoe. I have not been disappointed.The Keen Walking Sandals are very comfortable. They give good grip and cushioning on rough terrain. Unlike my previous walking sandals they do not suffer from small stones entering through the ventilation slots.They are a little tight to put on because the back strap is fixed. However, this means the sandal does not slide on the foot despite the width of the sandal that suits my broad feet.

Acceptable but need cushioning & arch support!

Newport Leather sandals have a Wide Toe box area, much wider than expected.Fits relatively true to size though 1/2 sizes stop at 11 1/2.Wear size 11 1/2 but 11 fits but hardly any toe room so it's a bit small but 11 1/2's toe area is a bit too wide.Fits relatively well. Takes awhile to get used to a zip cord for proper fit instead of straps.Consider the Targhee 3 leather model for straps which fits much better and more True to size.Cons:1. Wide toe box2. NO arch support, which is Missing & Needed!!!3. Footbed barely has any cushioning!Then again, most sandals don't have Any cushioning or arch support.4. No Extra replacement cord included considering the high price!!5. Not 'Made in the USA' but 'Made in Thailand'.Keen moved their manufacturing overseas ... MoreNewport Leather sandals have a Wide Toe box area, much wider than expected.Fits relatively true to size though 1/2 sizes stop at 11 1/2.Wear size 11 1/2 but 11 fits but hardly any toe room so it's a bit small but 11 1/2's toe area is a bit too wide.Fits relatively well. Takes awhile to get used to a zip cord for proper fit instead of straps.Consider the Targhee 3 leather model for straps which fits much better and more True to size.Cons:1. Wide toe box2. NO arch support, which is Missing & Needed!!!3. Footbed barely has any cushioning!Then again, most sandals don't have Any cushioning or arch support.4. No Extra replacement cord included considering the high price!!5. Not 'Made in the USA' but 'Made in Thailand'.Keen moved their manufacturing overseas but kept the prices High!6. Some people have reported rips/tears in their sandals/shoes which means that Keen has Quality Control issues!!

Decent but NO arch support!

Decent sandals.Not used to the closed toe version, corded version instead of the strap version/Wear 11.5 Mens but ordered 11 and 11.5. Size 11 fit but there hardly any toe room as it touched the top of the toe box. Size 11.5 fits also but toe box is Very room, almost Too roomy.The Newport sandal, according to Keen, has a Wide Toe box design so it'll take time to get used to.Cons:1. NO arch support- Have flat fee and wear orthotics so know that many, if not All, sandals do NOT have any arch support. The Newport is no different.- Is roomy enough to insert orthotics though it's not as comfortable with sandals.2. Stretchable cord takes time to get used to.- There is NO extra cord included, considering the high price!3. Not 'Made in America' but somewhere in ... MoreDecent sandals.Not used to the closed toe version, corded version instead of the strap version/Wear 11.5 Mens but ordered 11 and 11.5. Size 11 fit but there hardly any toe room as it touched the top of the toe box. Size 11.5 fits also but toe box is Very room, almost Too roomy.The Newport sandal, according to Keen, has a Wide Toe box design so it'll take time to get used to.Cons:1. NO arch support- Have flat fee and wear orthotics so know that many, if not All, sandals do NOT have any arch support. The Newport is no different.- Is roomy enough to insert orthotics though it's not as comfortable with sandals.2. Stretchable cord takes time to get used to.- There is NO extra cord included, considering the high price!3. Not 'Made in America' but somewhere in Asia, not China.4. Wide Toe box takes time to get used to.5. Relatively good to size but 1/2 sizes Only go up to 11 1/2.

Good for a time until they fall apart.

I have had three pairs of Keen sandals two pairs of Newports leather.first pair was the best pair of shoes I have ever had. Second pair also leather Newports the leather came unglued and the sides started coming out while walking. So I bought a different kind my third attempt. It looks similar to the Newport but has a closed heal. This shoe shortly after having them the rubber sole started separating. Two different colors of rubber looks cool until the two colors separate. I would rather have one solid piece of rubber that stays together. I am binging to think that they have flaws that develop over time so they sell you a new pair. My first pair lasted over 5 years my second maybe 2 before coming apart.my last didn't even last a year before coming apart. .

I Like These Sandals!

So far the sandals are comfortable and seem really durable. Had to wear them a couple times to break them in, but now they fit like a glove.Have to give a shout out to Cabela's. I originally ordered these online but ordered a half size too small. Instead of sending them back via delivery, I went to the nearest Cabela's store to exchange for the correct size. My size wasn't in stock but they did the exchange at the store and the customer service person ordered the correct size to be drop shipped to my house. A day and a half later, there they were on my doorstep when I got home from work. Pretty good customer service!!

Manufacturing quality going down

I really love these shoes. Have worn them every day for years, naturally wearing down the soles until it's time to get new ones every few years. Up to the last pair I bought in March, that loop in the back that helps pulling the shoes on hasn't been an issue. This time it snapped off within a few weeks. Not even pulling too hard. Returned them, exchanged for new ones, and again the loop broke off. Keen's is saving on stitches at customers' expense.

Please don't ever stop making the leather Newports

Man, I just received my latest pair of leather Newports (I think these are my fifth pair) and, if you heard a "Yippee!" and saw a man walking down the street with a big smile on his face, well, that was me. I have wide flat feet plus plantar fasciitis and I'm afraid my feet used to smell. No more - if you wear socks with your Newports, you can wear them 24/7/365 and never be afraid of scaring the horses with smelly feet. My podiatrist recommends Newports and boy is he right. Widest shoe I know for my flat feet, and my PF disappeared once I started wearing them. Wear them for cycling, hiking, canoeing, out to dinner, in and out of the workshop, in short everywhere. My wife used to be a bit jealous until she bought herself a pair and now we look like the Bobsey twins ... MoreMan, I just received my latest pair of leather Newports (I think these are my fifth pair) and, if you heard a "Yippee!" and saw a man walking down the street with a big smile on his face, well, that was me. I have wide flat feet plus plantar fasciitis and I'm afraid my feet used to smell. No more - if you wear socks with your Newports, you can wear them 24/7/365 and never be afraid of scaring the horses with smelly feet. My podiatrist recommends Newports and boy is he right. Widest shoe I know for my flat feet, and my PF disappeared once I started wearing them. Wear them for cycling, hiking, canoeing, out to dinner, in and out of the workshop, in short everywhere. My wife used to be a bit jealous until she bought herself a pair and now we look like the Bobsey twins with our Keens.

Recommend by a non-sandal wearer

I’m not a fan of sandals, but these seemed to be a good compromise for a more airy feel for summer. I like the Keen hiking shoes I have so gave these a try. They are sturdy and I like the closed toe, would not have bought them without that design. The bands across the feet and heel are pretty tight. This provides a solid feel, but requires more work to get your feet all the way in with the heel strap around then you may be used to for a sandal. I wore them for a half hour stroll without socks to see if they would rub through skin at any friction points. I did wear off 1/4” spot of skin on the top outside of my big toe, but that is more due to the little ridge of arthritis I have developed there. The other foot experienced no sore points. I did also try them with ... MoreI’m not a fan of sandals, but these seemed to be a good compromise for a more airy feel for summer. I like the Keen hiking shoes I have so gave these a try. They are sturdy and I like the closed toe, would not have bought them without that design. The bands across the feet and heel are pretty tight. This provides a solid feel, but requires more work to get your feet all the way in with the heel strap around then you may be used to for a sandal. I wore them for a half hour stroll without socks to see if they would rub through skin at any friction points. I did wear off 1/4” spot of skin on the top outside of my big toe, but that is more due to the little ridge of arthritis I have developed there. The other foot experienced no sore points. I did also try them with some thin crew socks and that worked well. I don’t like the feel of any shoes without socks but again that’s just me, no matter that my daughters make fun of me and prefer no socks. I was a little concerned they only came in medium width as I usually take a wide or EE with other shoes, but there is no problem with these Keens. I would recommend them, and if you’re a bit sketchy about the durability or lack of protection of sandals these are a good solution.

Versatility

I visited my son who was stationed in Hawaii and hiked a pillbox trail on Oahu. These ‘ugly’ sandals offered so much protection from the sharp edged rocks. They are also cool, comfortable, and provide great traction. Back home I wear them kayaking, hiking, dog walking, and really any time I’m out, weather (even in the winter!!!) permitting. In the summer we have a lot of street festivals and on the hottest pavement these shoes are like walking on cool soft sand. I don’t usually review anything, but if you don’t mind the look (I don’t but know some that do) and like outdoor activities, you’d be hard pressed to find a better shoe.

Very hard to put on

I've worn KEEN for years. I was on my third pair with a style that was the perfect sandal, but the sole has finally given out. Now, they are no longer made. I have a very high arch/instep and I couldn't even get my foot into the new KEEN designs. Customer Service recommended a few specific styles and suggested I may want to try men's sizes. So I tried a couple pair. This men's ten seems about the same size as my previous women's ten. The soles match up identically. The Newport fit better than the other recommended styles, and I like the green color, but it is a real chore to get my feet into them. Once they are in, they are OK (not totally comfortable yet like my old ones), but this is not a shoe I can kick off easily every time I come in the house. I kept them ... MoreI've worn KEEN for years. I was on my third pair with a style that was the perfect sandal, but the sole has finally given out. Now, they are no longer made. I have a very high arch/instep and I couldn't even get my foot into the new KEEN designs. Customer Service recommended a few specific styles and suggested I may want to try men's sizes. So I tried a couple pair. This men's ten seems about the same size as my previous women's ten. The soles match up identically. The Newport fit better than the other recommended styles, and I like the green color, but it is a real chore to get my feet into them. Once they are in, they are OK (not totally comfortable yet like my old ones), but this is not a shoe I can kick off easily every time I come in the house. I kept them mostly for the color. Hopefully, with time, they will loosen up, but I sorely miss my old KEEN design. Maybe, for someone with a differently shaped foot, these would be fine. Meanwhile, I'll be shopping other brands looking for more comfort than I can get in these.