The essential KEEN fit and protection lightened up to make every step a natural connection. The Clearwater CNX features a webbing upper with traditional KEEN sandal style. The bungee lace allows for customized fit. Multi-directional flex grooves on the low-profile sole enhance the natural flexibility of the foot and improve ground contact while razor siping provides advanced traction on slick surfaces. The contoured arch supports the foot. Washable, polyester webbing. Secure-fit lace-capture system. Quick-dry lining for active use. Metatomical eva footbed with contoured arch. Metatarsal ridge for natural fit. Lightweight pu midsole. Stability shank delivers support. Non-marking rubber outsole with razor siping. 4mm midsole drop. Cleansport NXT for natural odor control.
The essential KEEN fit and protection lightened up to make every step a natural connection. The Clearwater CNX features a webbing upper with traditional KEEN sandal style. The bungee lace allows for customized fit. Multi-directional flex grooves on the low-profile sole enhance the natural flexibility of the foot and improve ground contact while razor siping provides advanced traction on slick surfaces. The contoured arch supports the foot. Washable, polyester webbing. Secure-fit lace-capture system. Quick-dry lining for active use. Metatomical eva footbed with contoured arch. Metatarsal ridge for natural fit. Lightweight pu midsole. Stability shank delivers support. Non-marking rubber outsole with razor siping. 4mm midsole drop. Cleansport NXT for natural odor control.
The essential KEEN fit and protection lightened up to make every step a natural connection. The Clearwater CNX features a webbing upper with traditional KEEN sandal style. The bungee lace allows for customized fit. Multi-directional flex grooves on the low-profile sole enhance the natural flexibility of the foot and improve ground contact while razor siping provides advanced traction on slick surfaces. The contoured arch supports the foot. Washable, polyester webbing. Secure-fit lace-capture system. Quick-dry lining for active use. Metatomical eva footbed with contoured arch. Metatarsal ridge for natural fit. Lightweight pu midsole. Stability shank delivers support. Non-marking rubber outsole with razor siping. 4mm midsole drop. Cleansport NXT for natural odor control.
The essential KEEN fit and protection lightened up to make every step a natural connection. The Clearwater CNX features a webbing upper with traditional KEEN sandal style. The bungee lace allows for customized fit. Multi-directional flex grooves on the low-profile sole enhance the natural flexibility of the foot and improve ground contact while razor siping provides advanced traction on slick surfaces. The contoured arch supports the foot. Washable, polyester webbing. Secure-fit lace-capture system. Quick-dry lining for active use. Metatomical eva footbed with contoured arch. Metatarsal ridge for natural fit. Lightweight pu midsole. Stability shank delivers support. Non-marking rubber outsole with razor siping. 4mm midsole drop. Cleansport NXT for natural odor control.
Last updated at 05/14/2026 20:43:57
KEEN Men's, Clearwater II CNX Sandal
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Keen Clearwater Cnx Sandals Brown EU 42 1/2 Men
Delivery $28.99
Keen Clearwater CNX Walking Sandals - SS26 KEE256 Men's | Size EU 42.5
Delivery $29
originally posted on keenfootwear.com
... 2nd pair of this model... 1st was great, no issues at all... wish could say same for this latest pair... the left sandal was very tight fit right from very start, the right also vert tight, in addition pinching and hurting small toe... need to go out spend $21.00 for a pair of shoe trees to see if they could be stretched into better fitting condition... still working at it... now they're a bit better, but the right sandal still is more snug than I'd prefer... for a $120 purchase (plus $21.00) it's not what I would have expected when ordering from the KEEN brand... yours truly... BJ Arias, Henderson, NV (518.258.7878)
originally posted on keenfootwear.com
I have the Keen Newport sandals and I like them but I’ve always hated how goofy wide they were in the toe box. The Newports look clownish, quite honestly, but I like the style and quality of Keen. Enter the Clearwater CNX. These are a smaller, lower profile sandal so it doesn’t look like I’m wearing clown shoes. That's good.FIT: As many other reviewers have already pointed out, these run small. Knowing this, I purposely ordered a half size larger and they fit perfectly. They actually fit a little better than my Newports that are a half size smaller. So yeah, size up.QUALITY: Overall quality is on par with Keen. The webbing is robust and the rubber sole is rugged, not soft, so I anticipate tread wear to be slow. I also like that they still include the wavy razor ... MoreI have the Keen Newport sandals and I like them but I’ve always hated how goofy wide they were in the toe box. The Newports look clownish, quite honestly, but I like the style and quality of Keen. Enter the Clearwater CNX. These are a smaller, lower profile sandal so it doesn’t look like I’m wearing clown shoes. That's good.FIT: As many other reviewers have already pointed out, these run small. Knowing this, I purposely ordered a half size larger and they fit perfectly. They actually fit a little better than my Newports that are a half size smaller. So yeah, size up.QUALITY: Overall quality is on par with Keen. The webbing is robust and the rubber sole is rugged, not soft, so I anticipate tread wear to be slow. I also like that they still include the wavy razor cuts in the sole like boat shoes have for traction on wet, slippery surfaces. This is a feature that is often overlooked by many other companies and, as subtle as it may be, it sets Keens apart from the rest. The only thing I can point out that I don’t like (and this is probably just me being really nitpicky) is the thickness of the elastic draw cord. It seems a bit thinner than the one on my Newports. Hopefully they last with daily pulling on them to tighten. Other than that, I have no other gripes regarding quality.DESIGN: Comparing these to the Newports, the sole is not as thick and not nearly as wide. This is exactly what I was looking for. One peculiar aspect of the design is the rounded soles. They’re not flat at all so ankle support could suffer a bit. It would be rather easy to lose your balance or roll an ankle just walking in these. I’m sure I’ll adjust and adapt but it puzzles me why they went with this design at all. I love the Raven/Tortoise color and the quality of the webbing. The insoles are also comfortable and absorb shock. They're Keens!
originally posted on keenfootwear.com
These are my favorite shoes I’ve ever owned!! They are so lightweight and comfortable. I bought the men’s version because I preferred the triple black colorway and the subtle design differences to the upper. They feel like wearing supportive dance shoes, super natural like a barefoot walking feeling. Nothing rubs or moves around. I love the super low profile of the upper and the outsole. They look really graceful not chunky or outdoorsy. I have bunions and these feel great! As far as sizing if any other women are thinking of purchasing these, I recommend measuring your foot in cm and following the Japanese sizing system. These are on the smaller end of my shoe size range but that’s relative to other brands which aren’t necessarily trustworthy anyway.
| Lining | Hydrophobic Mesh |
| Material characteristics | breathable |
KEEN Men's, Clearwater II CNX Sandal
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Keen Clearwater Cnx Sandals Brown EU 42 1/2 Men
Delivery $28.99
Keen Clearwater CNX Walking Sandals - SS26 KEE256 Men's | Size EU 42.5
Delivery $29
... 2nd pair of this model... 1st was great, no issues at all... wish could say same for this latest pair... the left sandal was very tight fit right from very start, the right also vert tight, in addition pinching and hurting small toe... need to go out spend $21.00 for a pair of shoe trees to see if they could be stretched into better fitting condition... still working at it... now they're a bit better, but the right sandal still is more snug than I'd prefer... for a $120 purchase (plus $21.00) it's not what I would have expected when ordering from the KEEN brand... yours truly... BJ Arias, Henderson, NV (518.258.7878)
I have the Keen Newport sandals and I like them but I’ve always hated how goofy wide they were in the toe box. The Newports look clownish, quite honestly, but I like the style and quality of Keen. Enter the Clearwater CNX. These are a smaller, lower profile sandal so it doesn’t look like I’m wearing clown shoes. That's good.FIT: As many other reviewers have already pointed out, these run small. Knowing this, I purposely ordered a half size larger and they fit perfectly. They actually fit a little better than my Newports that are a half size smaller. So yeah, size up.QUALITY: Overall quality is on par with Keen. The webbing is robust and the rubber sole is rugged, not soft, so I anticipate tread wear to be slow. I also like that they still include the wavy razor ... MoreI have the Keen Newport sandals and I like them but I’ve always hated how goofy wide they were in the toe box. The Newports look clownish, quite honestly, but I like the style and quality of Keen. Enter the Clearwater CNX. These are a smaller, lower profile sandal so it doesn’t look like I’m wearing clown shoes. That's good.FIT: As many other reviewers have already pointed out, these run small. Knowing this, I purposely ordered a half size larger and they fit perfectly. They actually fit a little better than my Newports that are a half size smaller. So yeah, size up.QUALITY: Overall quality is on par with Keen. The webbing is robust and the rubber sole is rugged, not soft, so I anticipate tread wear to be slow. I also like that they still include the wavy razor cuts in the sole like boat shoes have for traction on wet, slippery surfaces. This is a feature that is often overlooked by many other companies and, as subtle as it may be, it sets Keens apart from the rest. The only thing I can point out that I don’t like (and this is probably just me being really nitpicky) is the thickness of the elastic draw cord. It seems a bit thinner than the one on my Newports. Hopefully they last with daily pulling on them to tighten. Other than that, I have no other gripes regarding quality.DESIGN: Comparing these to the Newports, the sole is not as thick and not nearly as wide. This is exactly what I was looking for. One peculiar aspect of the design is the rounded soles. They’re not flat at all so ankle support could suffer a bit. It would be rather easy to lose your balance or roll an ankle just walking in these. I’m sure I’ll adjust and adapt but it puzzles me why they went with this design at all. I love the Raven/Tortoise color and the quality of the webbing. The insoles are also comfortable and absorb shock. They're Keens!
These are my favorite shoes I’ve ever owned!! They are so lightweight and comfortable. I bought the men’s version because I preferred the triple black colorway and the subtle design differences to the upper. They feel like wearing supportive dance shoes, super natural like a barefoot walking feeling. Nothing rubs or moves around. I love the super low profile of the upper and the outsole. They look really graceful not chunky or outdoorsy. I have bunions and these feel great! As far as sizing if any other women are thinking of purchasing these, I recommend measuring your foot in cm and following the Japanese sizing system. These are on the smaller end of my shoe size range but that’s relative to other brands which aren’t necessarily trustworthy anyway.
I generally enjoy Keen sandals. I currently own four pair. One pair has lasted 6 or 8 years and still going. This pair has been rafting down the Grand Canyon, on a two week trip to the Galapagos and on several hiking adventures.The pair this review covers is the Men's Clearwater CNX. These were to replace another oldest pair of Clearwater's. I ordered the same size as my other Keen sandals. I bought these in November when I noticed the color I wanted was available. This pair was purchased for some spring adventures. When they arrived, I put them on and noticed they were uncomfortable through the footbed area. I thought they just needed to "settle in". I didn't wear them over the winter until recent weeks. I am hoping they will give a little to accommodate my foot ... MoreI generally enjoy Keen sandals. I currently own four pair. One pair has lasted 6 or 8 years and still going. This pair has been rafting down the Grand Canyon, on a two week trip to the Galapagos and on several hiking adventures.The pair this review covers is the Men's Clearwater CNX. These were to replace another oldest pair of Clearwater's. I ordered the same size as my other Keen sandals. I bought these in November when I noticed the color I wanted was available. This pair was purchased for some spring adventures. When they arrived, I put them on and noticed they were uncomfortable through the footbed area. I thought they just needed to "settle in". I didn't wear them over the winter until recent weeks. I am hoping they will give a little to accommodate my foot shape. My other Keen sandals did not need a wear in period, but the materials are not designed to give/stretch.The recent sandals do not use Vibram soles like my older ones. I am not sure if, or how, that change might affect the comfort. These are not the same level of comfort as my previous pair.
I have a pair of Clearwater CNX and am generally very happy with them. However, I think that the company should reinforce the stitching in the ankle panel (the panel which joins the heel strap to the remainder of the sandal). This stitching wore out very quickly in both my CNX and a previous pair of Newports, even as the remainder of the sandals remained in excellent condition. This is not entirely surprising, as the ankle section endures a great deal of strain. It is, however, rather frustrating to need to repair or dispose of a pair of shoes which are mostly in excellent condition. Future production runs of the CNX and the Newports should greatly strengthen the stitching on this panel, or possibly eliminate the panel altogether and make the ankle section from a ... MoreI have a pair of Clearwater CNX and am generally very happy with them. However, I think that the company should reinforce the stitching in the ankle panel (the panel which joins the heel strap to the remainder of the sandal). This stitching wore out very quickly in both my CNX and a previous pair of Newports, even as the remainder of the sandals remained in excellent condition. This is not entirely surprising, as the ankle section endures a great deal of strain. It is, however, rather frustrating to need to repair or dispose of a pair of shoes which are mostly in excellent condition. Future production runs of the CNX and the Newports should greatly strengthen the stitching on this panel, or possibly eliminate the panel altogether and make the ankle section from a single piece of webbing.
I got these mainly for kayaking. I needed a waterproof sandal that had a robust rubber sole for walking out into the shore of a lake where there could be broken glass and/or sharp rocks. Foam wasn't going to cut it and these fit the bill perfectly. I appreciate the less chunky profile of these compared to the Newports, which looked clownish on me. The Newports are just too wide. These look a lot more normal and they're lighter.
I've been wearing Keen's for tweny years, First were the Newports then the Targhee shoes and boots. Probably fifteen years ago, or whenever Clearwaters first came out, I started wearing them and I'm still wearing them. They last between three and five years and that with every day wearing. When the get worn down, I wear them out as slippers.I have two pairs under my bed. I'd just like some brighter colours.
This is my second pair of Clearwater CNX sandals, and I’m sure it won’t be my last. Light, comfortable footbed with good arch support,, stays on even in rough terrain, easy to put on and remove, and toe bumper protects the toes. Dries quickly when they get wet, and can wear socks (or not) depending on the weather conditions. While they could last a bit longer (where the heel straps connect to the sole failed after about a year or so…but what couldn’t be built better?), I accept that more than a year of nearly continuous, hard use is better than anything else I have bought in the past. I also have Targee II hiking boots for when I am on more challenging terrain and a pair of Newport H2 sandals (have had three pairs of these over the years) I use with my waders and ... MoreThis is my second pair of Clearwater CNX sandals, and I’m sure it won’t be my last. Light, comfortable footbed with good arch support,, stays on even in rough terrain, easy to put on and remove, and toe bumper protects the toes. Dries quickly when they get wet, and can wear socks (or not) depending on the weather conditions. While they could last a bit longer (where the heel straps connect to the sole failed after about a year or so…but what couldn’t be built better?), I accept that more than a year of nearly continuous, hard use is better than anything else I have bought in the past. I also have Targee II hiking boots for when I am on more challenging terrain and a pair of Newport H2 sandals (have had three pairs of these over the years) I use with my waders and for wet wading when I am flyfishing. They work exceptionally well in most all wading situations except deep mud. I prefer the Newport H2 sandals for wading over my regular wading boots as they are easier to get on and off, and lighter. However, I prefer the Clearwater CNX sandals for daily use, as they are lighter, but just as rugged as the H2. My experience is that Keen makes exceptional footwear, priced reasonably for the quality you get, will continue to purchase Keen’s products, and often recommend them to my family and friends (who mostly have purchased Keens and wear them regularly).
Bought a pair of these in Portland in 2017. 6 years later and they’re still my go to sandal. Super versatile and stylish with the low profile sole. Lightweight yet substantial. The toe protection has saved me from plenty of rocks. I just did a mini mtb, hike, and swim in the Austin area and the rubber soles even survived the pins on my pedals. A slightly grippier tread would be nice but I have other footwear for more climbing-focused trips. These are perfect for kayaking, hiking with water crossings, the beach, or even the grocery store. It’s in my travel bag for most vacations as a slip on or for the next adventure. Thanks Keen for not making the Clearwater so bulky yet so durable.
What I received was not what I saw in the photo. I don't know what happened but when I tried them on, they were narrow and felt very, very cheap. The soles of the shoes were very thin. I compared them to the Keens I was replacing it was not even close to the same shoe. My old Keen's lasted 5 years and I wore them all the time. The sole was thick, the leather was thick and the shoe fit perfectly. The replacement shoes I ordered were like a cheap China knock-off. So, so sad what has happened to Keen. They lost me as a customer. I ended up buying some Berks. They were more money, but I love them and will never go back. I could not be more disappointed with Keen. What happened?
| Lining | Hydrophobic Mesh |
| Material characteristics | breathable |