From the lake to the beach to the trail to the park, for our second collaboration with Portland-based outdoor footwear pioneers Keen we’ve made a pair of sandals that’ll do it all and do it well—the Gramicci x Keen Newport H2.
Following on from last season’s hairy suede Jasper Zionic, this time around we’ve turned to the brand’s first creation—the Newport, adding a bit of signature Gramicci flavour to the cult classic all terrain sandal.
Perhaps the brand's most famous design, the Newport is the sandal which kick-started the Keen story. Originally devised in the late 90s and first unleashed in 2003, they’re a true masterpiece of functional design that still work just as well now as they did over 20 years ago.
Like our G-Shorts, the Newport was a design born out of pure necessity—created when footwear designer and avid sailor Martin Keen was looking for something sturdy and reliable for wearing when he was out on his boat. Sailing might look like a relaxed, casual passtime, but in reality it ain’t easy—and all that lifting and lugging requires rugged gear that’s built to last—but Keen couldn’t find anything that was up to the task.
Regular open-toe sandals didn’t offer enough protection for action on the high seas, while boots were too clumpy and stifling when the sun came out. Having designed shoes for brands like Saucony and Timberland, Keen knew what worked and what didn’t when it came to footwear, so he set about dreaming up the ultimate seaworthy sandal.
After a few prototypes involving a couple of rolls of duct-tape, he finally found the answer. Applying his product design knowhow to the salty world of sailing, he plucked elements from far beyond the world of sailing to create a unique pair of sandals that took the best bits from a whole range of influences—combining elements from outdoor design, sportswear and work-wear to make something entirely fresh.
Dubbed the Newport (presumably after the Rhode Island town often regarded as the sailing capital of the USA), they were pretty much the answer to the question of what happens when you throw a pair of hiking boots and some sandals into that machine from The Fly. At a time when things were praised for ‘sleek lines’ and a minimal aesthetic, the maximalist Newports were unashamedly utilitarian and most definitely built for purpose.
The chunky rubber toe-cap kept feet out of harm’s way while the grippy outsole meant no deck was too slippy. The wide, ergonomic shape helped too—keeping things comfy even after long days tying ropes, while that unique cinch lace system meant they could be slipped on or off within seconds.
The clever design didn’t just work for sailing, and Keen’s ingenious creation quickly caught the attention of kayakers and canoers who found the sandals ideal for times when they had to walk their boats down shallow rapids. They worked on dry land too—which is why they soon became a fan favourite with hikers, bike tourers and anyone else who needed a bit more from their sandals.
Kind of like the Toyota Land Cruiser of the sandal world—these rugged things are right at home in even the worst conditions. These are NOT mere one-summer-sandals, and the sheer number of stories of people owning the same pair for over a decade (or more) shows just how long they can last.
To us here at Gramicci, the Newport is one of those designs that’s kind of already perfect—so when the time came to create our own, we made sure to keep everything in its right place, and added our spin in the shape of hemp uppers. We’ve been using this wondrous stuff since right back in the 90s, so it seemed only right to use it on our version of the Newports. Not only is this natural fibre super-tough, but it's breathable, antibacterial and incredibly sustainable (due to the fact it grows really fast)—making it the ideal fabric for a pair of outdoor sandals like these.
If you’re looking for one pair of sandals that’ll get you through the summer with ease, then you’re in the right place. Wear them on the trail… wear them in the river as you and your kayak float downstream… wear them in the pool while locked in a particularly tough game of chess…
The Gramicci x Keen Newport H2 is available from Thursday 24th April.
