FAQs

Take a look at the mid-cuff height boots in our Trailhead category of day hiking styles. The Targhee II Mid has a great track record of loaded hiking all over the globe. A day hiker is not technically a backpacking boot. What defines a backpacking boot depends on whom you ask. Backpackers usually look for a stiffer, heavier sole, designed to support more weight (you and your loaded pack weigh more than you and a small satchel). The upper is often less flexible than a day hiker. The uppers are usually quite stiff with a medium to very stiff outsole. Such boots take a bit of time to break in and get comfortable in. Consider the following: 1) How heavy is your pack? 2) What kind of terrain are you planning on hiking, and in what climate? 3) How much time do you have to break in your boots? (If you're going on a trip next weekend, buying brand new traditional hiking boots is not advisable.) 4) Which shoes/boots fit you the best? This is the most important item of all. Shoes that don't fit well cause blisters, pain and fatigued legs. This is more important than any other feature or benefit the boot may offer. The best approach is to have a knowledgeable shoe and boot fitter assist with finding the perfect boot for your needs, well in advance of when you need them.

Current vegan styles vary from season to season. One mainstay vegan option is the original Ventura Canvas shoe. The upper features organic canvas while the foot bed is constructed from a combination of cork and natural latex. The Ventura is finished with a natural rubber outsole and recycled eyelets, making it possibly the perfect earth and animal-friendly shoe. Feel free to contact us directly by email or phone and we’ll list the other vegan styles currently available. Please note that even though KEEN vegan styles do not contain any leather products, we cannot guarantee that the glues and solvents used in construction are 100% vegan. We are currently working on finding a more ecologically friendly alternative. We appreciate your commitment to supporting ecologically and animal friendly products. For those products containing leather, all the material comes from the US and is a bi-product of the beef or dairy industry. Furthermore, we source our leathers only from those tanneries adhering to certified environmental quality and humanitarian standards and regulations.

KEEN is not equipped to provide single right or left shoes for amputees, lost single shoes or other reasons.

Both the Newport and Venice sandals come in standard or H2 versions. The standard Newport and Venice have leather uppers, while the H2 models feature synthetic (polyester webbing) uppers. Both are fine for use in and out of water, but if you plan on submerging them on a regular basis, the H2 is a better choice – the nylon webbing upper and rubberized foot bed dry faster, absorb less water and subsequently stay lighter during water use. Finally, the nylon webbing straps will not expand when wet.

KEEN footwear equipped with the Metatomical foot bed features an insole and last that are anatomically designed to provide better support. They are built around the overall shape of the foot with special emphasis on the first metatarsal joint (big toe). The term Metatomical is a fusion of metatarsal and anatomical.

All our shoes on the website are sold in US sizes. You can view our sizing chart to work out the conversions between UK, EU, JP and centimetres.

Sizing questions are best answered at an authorised dealer. You may find certain styles in the same size have a slightly different fit and feel. We also hesitate to suggest a specific size since there is no way to take into account all the important issues directly effecting how a shoe fits. Nobody knows your feet like you do. Your fit history reveals much about how your shoes fit. Take this history into consideration as a starting point with KEEN shoes. As a general rule, go up 1/2 size from your standard shoe size then work from there. A few more issues you may want to consider: KEEN with the eVent or KEEN.DRY water resistant membrane tends to have less interior volume in the toe box area of the shoe, so sizing up to some extent is sometimes necessary. Also note what time of the day you try shoes on for fit. Later in the day is best since your feet tend to be at their widest. 

KEEN shoes have a bit wider toe box than other shoes, but our actual shoe widths are standard. Our women's shoes come only in a 'B' width, while our men's feature a 'D' width (except the men's Yogui, which is an 'E' width). Note that each style fits according to intended use. Trail running and hiking styles have a more snug performance fit, whereas BLVD category styles built for urban trekking have a more accommodating fit. We can’t restate enough the best method of arriving at the perfect size; slip shoes on your feet at a local dealer if you have the opportunity. Also remember that any KEEN style featuring the adjustable elastic bungee lace closure accommodates various foot widths.

Yes. The Newport, Newport H2, Venice, Venice H2 and Arroyo all feature an adjustable bungee cord lacing system. The bungee lace system cinches securely over the top of the foot. We encourage you to try several pair to determine which works best for you.

Sometimes dealers do not carry the entire size run of all our styles. In this case, most dealers are more than happy to place a special order for you in the size you need. We do have a few styles always available in US men’s size 15, plus a few new ones. Determine which will best meet your needs and have a local KEEN dealer confirm availability and place a special order for you: Newport leather sandal, Venice Sandal, Newport H2 sandal, Venice H2 sandal, Targhee II Mid, Targhee II.

KEEN sizing for children is broken down into three categories: INFANT = size range 4-7; TODDLER = size range 8-13; YOUTH = size range 1-6. After youth size 6, the next size is US men's size 7.0.

All KEEN water sandals (both leather and polyester webbing upper) are machine washable and have been treated with AEGIS Microbe Sheild, antimicrobial technology that helps prevent odour, staining and deterioration. We've also taken great care to develop leather uppers that will not crack, shrink or stretch when washed. Even KEEN leather Newport sandals are machine washable. Use a small amount of detergent, wash on gentle cycle and air dry.

We've carefully selected leather uppers designed to last. Then again, if you're wearing your KEENS daily, they won't always be scuff and dirt-free. To treat day to day wear and tear, especially on lighter colour leathers, we recommend using a nubuck leather cleaner and conditioner (Nikwax is a brand we use) found at most better footwear dealers and outdoor gear shops.

KEEN's Targhee and Targhee Mid feature waterproof-breathable technology to keep your feet dry and comfortable. To enhance product performance, we recommend cleaning your footwear in cold water with mild soap or detergent and air dry with no heat.

Many of KEEN's Trailhead and Waterfront performance styles utilise synthetic fabrics. We recommend cleaning these products with mild soap and cold water. To remove excess dirt off - spot clean, use a stiff brush or soft cloth and let shoes air dry with no heat.

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Our “waterproof leather” shoes are made from treated leather that will not shrink, crack, or stain if you get them wet. However, the shoes are not designed to keep your feet dry when submerged. If you feel the shoes did not perform to the extent you thought they would, we ask that you contact us via email at customerservice@keenfootwear.com.au.

If skin irritation occurs gradually or after you’ve had your shoes for a while, it may be a result of external contamination picked up on the shoes – not the shoes themselves. Wash your shoes thoroughly according to the correct procedure (machine wash for water sandals, Nikwax products for nubuck and leather, mild soap/cold water for synthetic uppers and those styles featuring waterproof membrane technology). If you think they may have been exposed to Poison Oak or Poison Ivy, you might consider using Tecnu, or another similar product designed to remove plant oils. KEEN does not currently use any latex or neoprene in our products, with the exception of the Water Bootie (neoprene) and Sienna Ballerina (latex and natural rubber). The neoprene-like material lining the inside of our sandals is actually SBR (Styrene Butadiene Rubber) or hydrophobic mesh in more recent versions. While SBR is a petrochemical based closed cell foam like neoprene, the polymers of the SBR do not contain Nitriles – the root of neoprene allergies. Occasionally someone does have an allergy to SBR, or to our antimicrobial treatment. Even more rarely, people are allergic to the Chromium found in some of our dyes. In these cases the shoes cause skin irritation from day one. Unfortunately, we are not able to make custom shoes without certain materials, but we would be happy to replace your shoes with a different style which may remedy the issue. If this is the case, contact us at customerservice@keenfootwear.com.au for additional information.

Like any water shoe, there may be cases where the insole or upper material gets a bit funky with use. We have a few solutions, however. Your sandals are machine washable – just use cold water, gentle cycle and mild detergent. Be sure to AIR DRY only; never use heat of any kind. (the sandals will shrink or possibly melt in the dryer or if placed near a heat source). Another option is hand-washing in the sink with Nik Wax Base Wash. This product works well in eliminating odours in synthetic materials used in outdoor gear. Once the sandals are clean and dry, rub Tea Tree essential oil into the upper lining and foot bed. Essential Tea Tree Oil is a non-allergenic natural antiseptic. Another good product is Paxton’s Sandal Saver. You may also try Odour Eaters Powder applied directly to the inside of the shoes after wearing them. This powder has odour-absorbing properties. Such odour often originates from the sweat in the SBR (neoprene-like) lining of the sandal. Paxton’s Sandal Saver is a great, all natural product as well. If none of the above options work, there may be an issue with the antimicrobial agent applied to the shoe when they were made. If you’ve tried everything and think this is the case, contact us via email at customerservice@keenfootwear.com.au for further warranty instructions.

Step number one: Clean the insoles. Remove them from the shoes and wash by hand in the sink with warm water, mild soap or detergent, and a soft brush or washcloth. Once air dried (remember, never use any heat), rub the insoles and inside lining of the shoe with a small amount of Tea Tree essential oil – a non-allergenic natural antiseptic. If none of the above solutions work, we may be able to assist with warranty if the shoes are less than one year old. Contact us via email at customerservice@keenfootwear.com.au for further information.