Keen

KEEN Inc. (Portland/Oregon), manufacturer of shoes, socks and bags, is an outdoor brand with innovative, hybrid products that inspire outdoor athletes to lead an active lifestyle. Founded in 2003, the company became known for its Newport outdoor sandals with patented toe protection technology. The success story of the Keen shoe brand began in the small town of Newport, a paradise for paddlers and sailors. The sailors in Newport like to wear airy and grippy sandals on board, but pay for it with aching toes because they regularly stub them during hectic maneuvers. In 2003, the small Keen founding team presented a sandals developed in-house. The 'Newport' offers standard features such as waterproof leather, a quick-release fastener and a non-slip soles. But the front is adorned with toe protection in the form of a rubber cap. Apparently, other people have also regularly bumped their feet - on boat decks, but also on stones, tent pegs or kayak footrests.

 

In any case, outdoor sports enthusiasts of all kinds are clamoring for the new 'Newport sandals'. Barely on the market, the young company Keen receives the award for the best product launch of the year from the trade magazine "Footwear News". In just a few years, Keen grows from a one-product manufacturer to the fifth-largest shoe manufacturer in the outdoor sector. In the meantime, the range has been expanded to include numerous models. In the Transa online store, you can find numerous different Keen shoes in the range: from light all-round models to trailrunning shoes and cycling sandals - a wide range for outdoor life.

As the product range is constantly expanding, sustainability is not just an idea. Keen now makes eyelets and zips from recycled aluminum. Natural or ecologically sourced raw materials such as linen, merino, cork or natural rubber are used in many models. It's hard to imagine American feet without Keens, and there has also been a steadily growing fan base here since they were added to the range.