The techy side of life outside
KEEN TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
ORIGINAL SOLUTIONS TO OUTSIDE BETTER
Stay warm. Stay dry. Stay comfortable. Stay put.
Feet come first at KEEN. We protect them, keep them comfy, warm, and dry, and prevent them from slipping outside and at work. Finding new ways to do that is our favorite kind of innovation around here.
KEEN.BELLOWS FLEX
Built to flex easier, last longer
From bending down to drive in a screw on a jobsite to making it through the last mile on the trail, flex makes it feel easier. We've added our accordion-like bellows to key friction points for less resistance, so it bends where other boots crack and weaken over time.
KEEN.DRY WATERPROOF
Let sweat escape without letting water in
Our waterproof, breathable membrane is a microscopic wonder that lets vapor out (ie. sweat) while sealing out moisture. With this ultra-thin “bootie,” there’s no place for water to get in.
P.E.T PLASTICS FOR HAPPIER OCEANS
RECYCLED P.E.T PLASTIC
Many of our new products use materials made with recycled post-consumer plastic waste, keeping over a million PET bottles out of landfills (some styles, up to 9 bottles are upcycled per shoe). By using recycled PET plastic in our webbing and cord, we're helping reduce waste, energy and water use, and green house gas emissions.
We've been working hard to increase our participation in the circular economy through the use of recycled or repurposed materials.
“For the past several years, we have been on a path to identify and remove harmful chemicals in our supply chain, and make choices that lighten our impact on the planet. We’re proud of every step we can make.”
– Kirk Richardson, Senior Director, KEEN Corporate Responsibility
95% PFC-Free. 100% Committed
PFC-FREE WATER REPELLENCY
Perflourinated Chemicals (PFCs) are commonly used to provide water repellency in outdoor gear and footwear, but these suspected carcinogens breakdown slowly and persist in out environment. We've chosen alternative chemistry that's safe and effective.
So far, we have prevented 150+ tons of flourinated chemicals from going into the environment. We specify 100% PFC-Free durabel water repellent treatments in our global supply chain and will continue to strive for 100%.
"We have spent three years working on this switch. Most footwear brands set their PFC-free target to 2020, but KEEN got 70% of the way there in 2016 and made it by 2019. So far, we have eliminated 150+ tons of fluorinated chemicals from being released into the environment,"
- Smalling Luo, KEEN Supply Chain Manager
PESTICIDE-FREE INSOLES FOR HEALTHIER ECOSYSTEMS
ECO ANTI-ODOR
Let nature fight the funk. We're eliminating odor, and over 7 tons of pesticides from going into the environment each year, by using a naturally occurring probiotic-based technology instead of pesticides. This easy choice effectively eliminates odor without heavy metals, perfumes, volatile organic compounds, and chemicals hazardous to human health.
All KEEN insoles are infused with Eco Anti-Odor that uses probiotics, not pesticides. (That’s good news for feet, too.)
"All of our footbeds come in contact with our skin, so I am excited that we are using sustainable yet functional eco-friendly solutions instead of harmful chemicals. These small steps have long-term effects."
- Dana Strand, KEEN Senior Global Product Line Manager
CERTIFIED BETTER LEATHER FOR CLEANER WATER
ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERRED LEATHER
Tanning leather is a dirty process, so we're taking steps to make it cleaner. We source over 95% of our leather (ad we're working on the rest) from tanneries certified by the Leather Working Group, the gold standard in responsible leather. They are helping us work toward solutions like a closed-loop water treatment process to reduce water use and eliminate water pollution.
Our Leather Working Group-certified tanneries are making it much cleaner with solutions that reduce chemicals, energy usage, and water pollution. KEEN only sources environmentally preferred, LWG-certified leather.
"LWG-certified leather encourages environmental improvement in the tanning industry and saves a lot of water, especially for countries like India that often face water scarcity in the summer"
- Puga Jagannathan, KEEN Sourcing and Development Manager
"We say, ‘Safe leather, save water.'"
Behind every KEEN shoe are dozens of responsible choices.