Do they brush against the loins?

Only their corduroy sandals rub and chaff loins

I was told to order a half size up when ordering Keens. Is this true?

Something is going on. I am a little hard to fit; I have "frog feet" (narrow heel and wide arch/toes) and a very high arch, so I expect some problems. I have worn out about 3 - 4 pair of Keen Newport H2 Sandals and loved them -- they were all in size 12. I ordered a new pair of 12s, just like I've worn for about 10 years, and I literally could not get them on my feet, mostly because of a very tight construction of the laced area over the arch. I tried very thin socks and powdered bare feet, no go, they just would not allow my feet to go in. I sent those back and ordered a pair or 13s. They were quite uncomfortable in general (very bulky and wide across the toe and arch compared to the 12s so I was always getting them snagged on my car clutch and brake pedal. The kicker is that even though they were so large in some places as to be uncomfortable, the 13s were still so tight across the arch that I had a hard time getting my feet into the instep area far enough to pull the heel strap up. When the heel strap did come up, it was and still is uncomfortably tight. The side bands of both sides/both shoes frayed and split within two weeks right at the lace area. They've also given me the first "corn" that I've ever had on a foot, it's right on the outside of my arch, just behind the little toe. I'm mystified. If I could find comfortable, non-bulky pair of 12s that I could get my feet into comfortably, I'd reorder, but I feel so burned by this experience that I dunno. I loved wearing Keens for years. What do I do now????

I noticed that one reviewer suggested getting a size bigger. is that something i should do? i don't mind. i've just never purchased a pair of these.

My feet are wide, I usually look for a shoe size 9.5W. But these are not offered in wide, so initially I tried 9.5 medium with these and although the sole of the shoe was wide enough, the upper shoe material was fitting very tight. I exchanged for a 10 and that is much better for my fit. Not excessively longer and just enough extra width to fit very nicely.

Ok worn submerged in saltwater? The manufacturer has given sort of conflicting answers to a couple of other questions. Not water proof only resistant?

The materials of the Newport are all treated to be waterproof so they can be taken in water. With saltwater, I'd recommend rinsing the sandals off with fresh water as soon as possible as saltwater can deteriorate the materials of the sandals quicker than normal if left on.