The Pursuit of Originality in KEEN's Hybrid Footwear, UNEEK, Evolution Over 10 Years

Selected across varied scenes from outdoor to urban life, KEEN is an outdoor footwear brand that has been releasing innovative sandals and shoes from its inception, and has also been backed in the fashion scene beyond the outdoors. Among the array of products, this year marks the 10th anniversary of the UNEEK model. We spoke with Seiko Taneda from KEEN Japan GK Insight & Engagement/PR and Yasuhiro Aoki, Merchandising/Product Senior Specialist.

Protecting Toes with Sandals was the Starting Point for KEEN

We would like to learn from the story of how the KEEN brand started. Taneda tells us about the circumstances of the brand's start and the founder's thoughts.

"KEEN is an outdoor footwear brand that was founded in 2003, with its headquarters in Portland, Oregon, USA. By 'outdoor', we mean everywhere without a ceiling, including not only camping and trekking and outdoor festivals but also life in the city. It is a brand that offers versatile products that hybridize different concepts, such as sandals and shoes, land and water, fashion and practicality."