Meet the Brand: KEEN

Beginning in 2003, the family-owned footwear brand asked the question of whether a sandal could protect the toes, this question created the sneaker sandal hybrid that KEEN is known for. Promoting an outdoor lifestyle, the American brand KEEN is on a mission to create original and versatile products.

The inspiration for KEEN’s footwear came from owner Martin Keen’s mutual love of sandals and sailing. He wanted to create adventure water shoes that offered toe protection while out on his boat. Combing the sneaker and the sandal into one shoe; these shoes offer excellent all-round protection and are great to be worn for activities such as kayaking, canoeing, sailing and coasteering.

Keen Uneek at Copperfield

The ethos of the brand is propelled in everything they create, refining their products and aiming to find even more solutions for life’s everyday needs. KEEN sticks to five core beliefs, these are:

  1. Live outside together
  2. Be original in everything
  3. Make original goods that last
  4. Do the right thing
  5. Create with conscience

KEEN also advocates protecting the outdoor space and donates to good causes. In 2004, just as the brand was starting out, they donated all their marketing budget to support the relief efforts after the December Tsunami. This began their initiative of HybridLife this is a lifestyle that enjoys and protects the outdoors. KEEN encourages their customers to live a HybridLife, where they can enjoy the outside using KEENs footwear but also supports conservation causes. Over the years KEEN has continued to support good causes, projects that they have been a part of include getting more young people into the outdoors, protecting the land for its environmental and recreational value, and giving bikes to children in need.

The brand is also recognised for its unrivaled quality and comfort in their footwear. They often integrate special features into their products to bring some of the most advanced footwear on today’s market. KEEN also believe that not every shoe has to cost a fortune, they can create a high-quality and durable shoe that is affordable for all.

Keen Yogui at Copperfield

KEEN is continued to grow since it first began in 2003, they have since expanded from a water activity footwear brand to a lifestyle focused footwear brand. They have also proved through its actions and products that a business striving to be good can be good for business. Inspiring outside adventure, KEEN is on a mission to create original and versatile products that allow people to enjoy the outdoors.

A relatively new brand to Copperfield, explore our collection of KEEN products here.

 

 

Photography by Pete Edlin