While testing women's SUP gear last fall, I took my KEEN Clearwater CNX sandals down to meet their birthplace in Clearwater, FL. Similar to the new Chaco NearGround collection, the KEEN CNX line has everything you love about KEEN footwear, but lightened up for your summer adventures. With an agenda full of SUP, bike riding, and beach walking, these hybrid sandals were put through their paces.
The new CNX line from KEEN is one of their largest product launches to date, with a full collection of low profile hybrid sandals, multisport footwear, and lifestyle shoes. The CNX line is characterized by a 4mm drop midsole, and each shoe in the collection weighs less than 10 oz. You still get the original KEEN toe protection and contoured arch support but with a slight reduction in shoe width and volume.
The Clearwater CNX features a webbing upper with traditional KEEN sandal style. The bungee lace allows for easy on and off, as well as a more customized fit. Multi-directional flex grooves on the low-profile sole enhance the shoe flexibility and improve ground contact, while razor siping provides advanced traction on slick surfaces.
The Clearwater CNX sandals obviously drain exceptionally well and also dry pretty quickly, so you won't have to worry about sloshing around for hours after you have been in the water. The lining is treated with Aegis Microbe Shield but the sandals are machine washable when they start to get funky.
The Clearwater CNX were perfect for stand up paddleboarding in Florida, cruiser biking, and hiking around the various water filled nature reserves. If you have sensitive feet, I wouldn't recommend taking long beach walks in your sandals unless you stay in the water. The open sandal construction allows much sand, rocks, and shells to get inside, which can irritate your feet after many miles of walking. But for hiking and all types of water sports, the Clearwater CNX are great.
The men's and women's KEEN Clearwater CNX sandals come in a variety of fun colors and retail for $100, available now.