In the early 2000s, KEEN, Inc. changed the game with a new kind of outdoor shoe: the Newport. Half water sandal, half hiking shoe, the Newport blended rugged protection with a laid-back spirit, and quickly became an icon. Now, over two decades later, KEEN is teaming up with outdoor culture legends Gramicci to give the Newport a fresh spin, rolling out a retro hemp edition of their best-selling hybrid.
This reimagined Newport isn’t just built for adventure, it’s built for the planet. Featuring a durable hemp upper, KEEN’s classic rubber toe bumper, and a razor-siped sole for extra grip on slick surfaces, the Newport Retro stays true to the original’s DNA while pushing sustainability to the forefront. Hemp, one of the world’s most renewable and tough natural fibers, has long been a part of KEEN’s eco-story, first used on a Newport back in 2008 and again in 2018 for the sandal’s 15th birthday. Now, it’s back, and better than ever.
“We’ve always seen the Newport in hemp as a bit of a masterpiece,” says Kohei Yamazaki, chief designer at KEEN’s Tokyo Design Center. “It had a big following, especially in Japan. Working with Gramicci to bring it back as part of their HEMP capsule collection makes it even more meaningful. We’re both digging into our archives, but using it to step forward for the planet.”
Gramicci’s fingerprints are all over this collab. Born from the ‘80s California climbing scene, Gramicci’s style has always leaned into durability, freedom, and a bit of rebellion. In the ‘90s, they made their now-legendary G Pant out of hemp for its toughness and eco-friendliness, and that spirit shows up again here. The Newport Retro’s hemp webbing even features Gramicci’s signature zig-zag mountain stitching, a nod to last year’s KEEN x Gramicci Jasper Zionic sneaker project.
True to KEEN’s modern standards, this latest Newport is Consciously Created, meaning it’s made without PFAS (forever chemicals), without unnecessary antimicrobials, and with eco-minded innovations like natural odor control using probiotics instead of pesticides. The sandal is washable, water-ready, and tough enough for everything from rocky riverbeds to city sidewalks.
Key features include a wide, roomy toe box to let your feet move naturally, a quick-cinch bungee lacing system for easy adjustments, and a grippy, non-marking outsole that won’t scuff boat decks. And of course, KEEN’s iconic rubber toe bumper is still front and center, keeping your toes safe when the trail gets rough.
The KEEN x Gramicci Newport Retro is a throwback with a mission. It’s a celebration of two brands that have always believed in doing things differently, and doing them better. Built to get wet, climb high, and tread lightly, this is a sandal for a new generation of explorers who want their gear to work hard and leave a smaller footprint behind.
