KEEN Newport H2 — Kids’ Sandal Review

The KEEN Newport H2 is a closed-toe sport sandal with quick-dry webbing, a rubber toe bumper, and a bungee-plus-strap closure. We bought a pair for our five-year-old, Cy, in February 2026, and he has worn them nearly everywhere since: nature school, a Florida water park, the Painted Hills in Oregon, creek trails, and the sidewalks of Crested Butte. Seven months in, they’re the most durable pair we tested. The one thing to know before you order: gravel and sand get in the open sides, so keep them for shorter hikes.

4.5/5.0

Best budget pick and best for hikes that end in water

KEEN Newport H2 (Big Kids’)

Seven months of hard wear and they still look close to new after a wash. The cheapest pair here, and the toughest.

Shop at Amazon$59.95 Shop at KEEN$60

Sizes: 8 to 13 Little Kids, 1 to 7 Big Kids | Waterproof: No (water shoe, drains and dries) | Weight (pair): 14.8 oz (big kid sizes) | Closure: Bungee and strap | Toe: Closed

Is the KEEN Newport H2 good for hiking?

For shorter hikes on solid ground, yes. The sole is aggressive and the toe is protected, so it handles a dirt trail just fine. On long hikes without socks, we’d expect hot spots, and on loose gravel or sand, little pieces get in through the sides.

Where we tested the KEEN Newport H2

Cy wore them on the trails at the Painted Hills in Oregon while we camped nearby at Priest Hole, and on a creek trail through a volcanic area in Oregon. He wore them on a dock while fishing, and on the town sidewalks of Crested Butte, Colorado.

Before that, they spent time in Destin, Florida, on a water park tube and a dolphin cruise. Add nature school and everyday play, and that’s seven months of hard use.

KEEN Newport H2 features: what actually stood out

Durability, by a mile. After seven months, if we put them through the wash, they’d look close to new. No stitching out of place, the strap still grips, and the lugs show only a little wear. Cy is not gentle with shoes.

They’re easy in every way that matters on a quick outing. No socks needed, they can put them on themselves. They’re machine washable. The same rubber toe cap as the other KEEN shoes protects toes even though the rest of the foot is open. There are small reflective accents, too. And any hike that leads to water is their sweet spot: walk in, walk out, keep hiking.

Cy picked the rainbow colorway himself, out of a very long list of options.

What doesn’t work on the KEEN Newport H2

All those little openings that let water drain also let in gravel and sand. With the strap undone, the opening still isn’t big enough to slip a foot in, so you have to feed the velcro part of the strap back through the clasp, which is a little cumbersome. And there’s nowhere to store the bungee toggle. An adult will tuck it into the laces. A kid putting these on himself will not, so the toggle and two elastic ends just flap around.

How to care for the KEEN Newport H2

KEEN says its non-leather water sandals are machine washable. Wash on a gentle cycle in cold water, then let them air dry.

KEEN Newport H2 sizing guide

We tested a size 12 on Cy at age 5, and there was some room at the toes. Some buyer reviews say they run slightly large. One Amazon listing covers toddler, little kid, and big kid sizes, so double-check which range you’re ordering from.

Before you order, here’s how we measure kids’ feet.

Who is the KEEN Newport H2 best for?

Families who spend summer near water. If your hikes are short and end at a lake, creek, or beach, this is the pair. It’s also our budget pick at $60, and the toughest shoe we tested. For long hikes or loose gravel, pick a closed shoe instead.

Pro tip: Throw them in the wash (cold, gentle, air dry) after a muddy week and they’ll come out looking close to new.

How the KEEN Newport H2 compares to other kids’ hiking shoes