Women's Keen Newport H2 'Safari' (1027353) — Water Sandal with Closed-Toe Protection
Women's Keen Newport H2 'Safari' (1027353) — Water Sandal with Closed-Toe Protection
What Is the Women’s Keen Newport H2 ‘Safari’?
The Women’s Keen Newport H2 ‘Safari’ (Style Code: 1027353) is the definitive water sandal for women who move across terrain — rivers, trails, shorelines, and city streets — without slowing down. Made by Keen, the Portland, Oregon-based outdoor footwear brand founded in 2003, the Newport H2 is Keen’s best-selling and most globally recognized silhouette: a closed-toe water sandal built around quick-dry polyester webbing, a metatomical dual-density EVA footbed, a compression-molded EVA midsole, and a non-marking rubber outsole with razor siping. The ‘H2’ designation signals water-first construction. The ‘Safari’ colorway — a warm, earthy tan — is the most outdoors-coherent color in the Newport lineup: the color of dry trail dust, natural canvas, and sun-bleached expedition gear. At $129, it is the standard price for the women’s Newport H2 in premium colorways.
Quick Facts
- Brand: Keen (Portland, Oregon — est. 2003)
- Style: Newport H2
- Style Code: 1027353
- Colorway: Safari
- Upper: Quick-dry polyester webbing straps
- Toe: Closed-toe — non-marking rubber toe cap for protection
- Footbed: Metatomical dual-density EVA — arch support + cushioning
- Midsole: Compression-molded EVA — lightweight all-day comfort
- Outsole: Non-marking rubber with razor siping — wet/dry grip
- Closure: Adjustable hook-and-loop straps + bungee lace system
- Gender: Women’s (US 5–9.5)
- Price: $129
- Category: Water Sandal / Outdoor Hiking / River Sandal
- Fit: True to size; size up half for use with neoprene or thick socks
Specs & Construction
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Upper straps | Quick-dry polyester webbing — dries rapidly after water exposure |
| Toe protection | Non-marking rubber closed-toe cap — guards against rocks, roots, and trail hazards |
| Footbed | Metatomical dual-density EVA — anatomically shaped arch support with cushioning |
| Midsole | Compression-molded EVA — lightweight, responsive cushioning |
| Outsole | Non-marking rubber with razor siping — multi-directional wet and dry surface grip |
| Closure | Adjustable hook-and-loop straps + bungee lace with speed lace hardware |
| Colorway | Safari — warm earthy tan, outdoor-terrain matched |
| Style Code | 1027353 |
| Gender | Women’s |
| Sizes | US Women’s 5–9.5 |
| Price | $129 |
| Brand Origin | Keen — Portland, Oregon (est. 2003) |
The Keen Newport H2 — History and Why It Matters
Keen was founded in 2003 in Portland, Oregon by Rory Fuerst, with the original Newport sandal as the brand’s very first product. The Newport’s closed-toe design — a deliberate departure from the open-toe standard for water sandals at the time — was inspired by Fuerst’s desire for a sandal that could protect toes while sailing. The first Newport debuted at the 2003 Outdoor Retailer Show and won the show’s Best in Show award, establishing Keen as a serious outdoor footwear brand from day one. The H2 designation indicates the second generation of the Newport water-ready platform: optimized for aquatic use with quick-dry webbing uppers that replace the original leather straps, making the H2 the faster-drying and more water-sport-appropriate version. Today, the Newport H2 is used by river guides, kayakers, rafters, canyoneers, coastal hikers, and outdoor camp counselors — anyone whose day involves crossing between water and land repeatedly.
What Makes the Newport H2 Different from Other Water Sandals
| Feature | Keen Newport H2 | Standard Open-Toe Water Sandal |
|---|---|---|
| Toe protection | Closed-toe rubber cap — full protection | None — toes fully exposed |
| Footbed | Metatomical dual-density EVA — arch support | Flat EVA or minimal foam |
| Outsole grip | Non-marking rubber with razor siping | Varies — often basic flat rubber |
| Upper | Quick-dry polyester webbing | Varies — nylon, webbing, synthetic |
| Closure | Hook-and-loop + bungee lace — adjustable, secure | Varies — often fixed or single-strap |
| Best use | River, trail, water-to-land transitions | Beach, pool, casual water |
Key Technologies — Explained
Metatomical Footbed: Keen’s proprietary footbed shape, designed around the metatarsal arch of the foot — the transverse arch across the ball of the foot, not just the longitudinal arch along the inner edge. The dual-density construction uses a firmer foam zone under the arch for support and a softer zone under the heel and ball for cushioning. This is meaningfully different from a flat EVA footbed and provides all-day comfort during high-step-count outdoor activities.
Razor Siping: Fine, blade-cut grooves in the rubber outsole that increase the number of rubber edges in contact with the ground, improving grip on wet and slippery surfaces. The same technology is used in premium car tires and technical hiking boot outsoles. On the Newport H2, razor siping allows the outsole to grip wet rock, river gravel, and slick shoreline surfaces where a plain rubber sole would slide.
Non-Marking Rubber: The toe cap and outsole use non-marking rubber — a compound formulated to leave no scuff or black marks on indoor floors, boat decks, or kayak interiors. Critical for the Newport’s use in mixed indoor-outdoor environments.
Quick-Dry Polyester Webbing: Unlike leather straps (used on the original Newport) or neoprene, polyester webbing sheds water rapidly and dries within minutes of leaving the water. This prevents the strap softening, odor buildup, and extended discomfort that come with prolonged wet leather or slow-drying materials.
The ‘Safari’ Colorway
Safari in Keen’s colorway naming references the warm, dusty tan of East African savanna terrain — the color of dry grass, sun-bleached canvas, and expedition-ready natural tones. On the Newport H2, Safari appears across the polyester webbing straps and midsole, with complementary tonal details. It is the most terrain-matched color in the Newport lineup — a shade that blends with riverbed gravel, sandy trail, and wooded outdoor environments rather than contrasting against them. Safari pairs naturally with khaki, olive, tan, and earth-tone outdoor apparel — standard activewear and outdoor clothing palettes. For women who want a water sandal that looks intentional alongside their outdoor gear rather than like a generic beach shoe, Safari is the right choice.
Who Is the Women’s Keen Newport H2 ‘Safari’ For?
This sandal is for the woman who crosses water as part of her outdoor day — the river hiker who needs toe protection for creek crossings, the kayaker who walks between launch points, the canyoneer navigating slot canyons, the camp guide on their feet for eight hours across mixed terrain. It is also for the outdoor-lifestyle buyer who wants a sandal with genuine performance credentials that works equally well on a summer hike and a weekend market. The Safari colorway makes it the most outdoors-coherent choice for women building an outdoor footwear kit around earth tones and functional gear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the style code for the Women’s Keen Newport H2 ‘Safari’?
A: The style code is 1027353.
Q: What does H2 mean on Keen Newport?
A: H2 indicates Keen’s water-optimized construction — specifically, quick-dry polyester webbing straps (replacing the original Newport’s leather) that dry rapidly after water exposure. The H2 is the water-first version of the Newport platform, designed for river, kayak, and aquatic outdoor use.
Q: Is the Keen Newport H2 good for hiking?
A: Yes. The Newport H2 is specifically designed for water-to-land transitions — hiking in wet conditions, creek crossings, and river-adjacent trail use. The closed-toe rubber cap protects toes on technical terrain, the metatomical EVA footbed provides arch support for high step counts, and the razor-siped non-marking outsole grips both wet rock and dry trail. It is not a substitute for a technical hiking boot on demanding mountain terrain, but it is the best-performing sandal for outdoor hikers who cross water regularly.
Q: Does the Keen Newport H2 fit true to size?
A: Yes, true to size for most wearers. If you plan to wear the Newport H2 with neoprene socks or thicker outdoor socks, consider sizing up half a size. Available in US Women’s 5–9.5.
Q: Can the Keen Newport H2 be worn in the ocean?
A: Yes. The quick-dry polyester webbing, non-marking rubber outsole, and closed-toe protection make the Newport H2 suitable for ocean use — rocky shorelines, tidal pools, and coastal hiking. Rinse with fresh water after saltwater exposure to extend the life of the straps and hardware.
Q: What is the metatomical footbed on Keen shoes?
A: Keen’s metatomical footbed is anatomically shaped around the metatarsal arch of the foot — the transverse arch across the ball of the foot. Its dual-density EVA construction provides firmer arch support where needed and softer cushioning under the heel and forefoot, delivering significantly more all-day comfort than a flat foam footbed, especially during extended outdoor activity.
Q: Is the Keen Newport H2 machine washable?
A: Keen recommends hand washing the Newport H2 with mild soap and water, then air drying. The quick-dry polyester webbing dries rapidly. Machine washing is not recommended as it can degrade the webbing adhesion and hardware over time.