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Reevaluating the Appeal of KEEN's Summer Staple: Yogui & Shanti
As the weather heats up each year, many people start searching for the perfect pair of sandals for the summer. Today, sandal designs are more diverse than ever, with countless styles being released by various brands. If you’re seeking a truly comfortable pair for your summer adventures, take a closer look at "KEEN" and its iconic models: "Yogui" and "Shanti."
Like many other footwear brands, KEEN offers a wide selection of attractive sandals, but in this feature, we’ll focus on these two time-honored pairs. Yasushiro Aoki and Yumi Shigetome from KEEN Japan LLC introduce us to their unique appeal. First, let’s hear from Aoki about how the KEEN brand came to life.
"KEEN was established in Portland, Oregon, USA in 2003. The brand's philosophy is expressed as 'the outdoors is anywhere without a ceiling.' Kicking things off with our first model, 'Newport,' KEEN has been delivering an extensive footwear lineup, especially hybrid sandals.
"One trademark of these shoes is the 'Toe Protection' feature, symbolized by an exclamation mark (!). This mark, representing the brand’s commitment to sandals that protect the toes, is found not only on today’s two models but on many KEEN products."
Easy On, Easy Off: Yogui Suits the Japanese Lifestyle
Let’s take a closer look at the Yogui. This model has already become a staple in Japan, beloved by many regular users. Aoki continues to share details about its origin, materials, and design."Yogui debuted in 2004, just a year after KEEN was founded. It’s crafted from EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate), a material now commonly seen in recovery sandals from various brands. However, Yogui was around before this trend took off, and its intended use was actually a bit different.
"One of its defining features is a three-dimensional footbed molded to fit the arch and the toes, providing a natural fit. Also, the EVA’s particular firmness was intentional—designed so you don’t tire out even after wearing them all day. It’s this unique 'hardness' in comfort that has many fans hooked.
"Additionally, while many sandals use EVA for both the main body and the outsole—which wears down quickly—the Yogui opts for a rubber outsole. This means the Yogui stands out among EVA sandals for its exceptional durability.
"There’s also the flexible toe design and, as mentioned earlier, that distinctive '!' caution mark—what we call the 'caution mark.' This is part of Yogui's 'Toe Protection' function for safeguarding your toes.
"As for how Yogui fits into everyday life, its concept was inspired by women who practice yoga—'Yoginis.' The idea was for them to wear Yogui barefoot to the studio, do yoga, and then head home in the same sandals. Of course, since it’s a unisex item, plenty of men love it, too.
"Unlike the U.S., shoes aren’t usually removed and put on at the doorway. But Japan has a strong culture of taking shoes off at the entrance, so shoes that are 'easy-on, easy-off' are super handy. That’s why Yogui continues to be a beloved and enduring favorite in Japan."
Niigata's "Echigo-gata" Pattern Also Boosted Its Popularity
KEEN made history with its charitable spirit—for example, donating its entire $1 million (about 100 million yen at the time) marketing budget to assist after the 2004 Sumatra earthquake. Since then, many KEEN collaborations have been linked to charitable donations, and Yogui is no exception—some models contribute to meaningful causes."Remember the 2007 Niigata Chuetsu Offshore Earthquake? It had a big cultural impact, affecting folk crafts and artisanal goods in the region. KEEN released a special Yogui with the traditional 'Echigo-gata' pattern from Niigata and donated a portion of sales to support recovery. This collaboration played a key role in popularizing Yogui throughout Japan."
Shanti: A Different Design Approach from Yogui
Let's take a closer look at Shanti. Released in 2007, three years after Yogui's debut, this model serves a similar purpose but takes a distinctly different design approach. We spoke to Shigetome for more details. "Shanti is slim and gives an overall impression of being more suitable for women. In fact, it was designed by a female designer, and the name 'Shanti' comes from Sanskrit, meaning 'peace' or 'mental tranquility.'"Like the Yogini model mentioned earlier, Shanti was created for a similar use, but what sets it apart from Yogui is its sleekness and softness. Shanti is softer, taking women's body weight into account when determining hardness. Of course, it's also unisex, so anyone can wear it regardless of gender, and it boasts the same durability that KEEN is known for."
KEEN × Us 4 IRIOMOTE Collaboration Shanti & Charity
Shanti was released as a collaboration item through the project "Us 4 IRIOMOTE." We asked Shigetome about this project as well."Us 4 IRIOMOTE is a project with the purpose of passing down the nature and culture of Iriomote Island to future generations. The word 'Us' is a play on both 'tomorrow' ('Asu' in Japanese) and 'us,' expressing the idea that, in order to pass things on to future generations, each of us should think about our responsibility and take action.
"The project also promotes a new style of travel called 'ethical travel,' encouraging visitors to interact with Iriomote Island's nature and local culture with respect and kindness. KEEN launched the project in 2019 and continues to support it today.
"The Shanti sandals decorated with illustrations of the Iriomote wildcat and other wildlife, drawn by artist Yu Nagaba for this project, are special: part of the sales proceeds are donated to efforts for protecting Iriomote’s natural environment, preserving its culture, and raising awareness for ethical travel."
Now that we've explored both Yogui and Shanti, it's clear that both models are beloved for their versatility.
Whether for everyday wear in the city, at the office, camping, water activities, gardening, travel, or even on a plane, these sandals are incredibly handy. They're truly go-to footwear that works for multiple occasions.
Because they're so versatile and practical, both models are must-haves as summer essentials. And with KEEN’s active commitment to environmental causes, there’s every reason to choose their products.
PROFILE
Yasuhiro Aoki
KEEN Japan LLC
Product Senior Specialist/Merchandising
Joined KEEN Japan LLC in 2012. Self-proclaimed sneaker enthusiast. His love for shoes and trends led him to mainly handle collaborations. He strives daily to pass on the KEEN spirit cultivated over the years to end-users.
PROFILE
Yumi Shigetome
KEEN Japan LLC
Insight & Engagement
Joined in 2022. From 2025, will be in charge of PR for Hybrid Life, Soft goods & Kids. Also supports the "Us 4 IRIOMOTE" ethical travel project.
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