Keen Sandal Good For Minus 25 Degrees...

If we said 'winter-specific sandals' to you, you'd be quite entitled to snigger quietly and call in the men in white coats, but that's exactly what Keen is launching this winter with the new insulated Winterport based on the Newport sandal.

Along with the eVENT waterproof linings which the company has just started using for its shoe line, the Winterport also features synthetic Primaloft insulation designed to keep your feet warm in temperatures as low as minus 25 during active use.

What's really barking though is that it's built around the original nubuck Newport hybrid sandal, so it's claimed to be very lightweight - 692 grammes, around 300 grammes per foot more than a Newport - as well as very warm. The leather is waterproofed and there's a moulded Tuff Tech Heel with sturdy lugs for additional underfoot grip.

Custom-shaped EVA footbeds promise great cushioning and arch support and outside the patented rubber toe guard does its usual bump resistant gig. On top of all that, the outsole uses an intelligent 'dual climate' rubber which hardens in cooler temperatures but softens up when things get warmer to give optimum grip.

The Winterport should be ideal for pottering about in the snow - ski or boarding trips anyone or apres ice climbing - and we reckon it'll be super comfy. It's a sandal after all. Price is £99.99 and it comes in a variety of colours for both men and women. Quite bonkers.

Also new to the range and a little less, erm, 'challenging' is the new and novelly named Growler, a more conventional looking winter boot which again features Primaloft and eVENT and the dual climate rubber outsole. More details on that to come.

Full information on the whole Keen range at www.keenfootwear.com