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.
Before...
After...
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
Halfway between sandals and trail shoes, the Keen Taos is what you want to be wearing if someone spills a jeraboam of bubbly over the rockery on Christmas Day ;-)
