Are Keens still made in USA?

Keen footwear has long been known for their quality craftsmanship and iconic Newport style. The classic American sandal company got its start in Newport, Rhode Island in 1998 and quickly gained a loyal following. But with many brands moving manufacturing overseas to reduce costs, some Keen fans have wondered – are Keens still made in the USA?

A Brief History of Keen

Keen was founded by Martin Keen, an avid sailor and designer. Frustrated with the closed-toe sailing shoes of the time, Martin set out to create a more comfortable and secure open-toed hybrid shoe that performed both on land and sea. The result was the Newport – Keen’s first enclosed-toe sandal. With its distinctive bumper toe protection and secure fit, the Newport was an immediate hit. Keen shoes quickly gained popularity among outdoor enthusiasts, families, and urban dwellers alike.

In 2003, Keen Inc. was launched to expand the brand globally. Distribution reached across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. The company also continued innovating with new styles like the original H2 sandal, a fully waterproof enclosed-toe design. Through the 2000s, Keen’s sales and demand skyrocketed. By 2010, Keen was one of the fastest growing footwear companies in the world.

Keen’s USA Manufacturing

From the very beginning, Keen has maintained a focus on quality manufacturing. Their shoes have always been known for their durability, comfort, and perfect fit right out of the box. This is because Keens have primarily been made in company-owned or partner factories located in Portland, Oregon and near Lewiston, Maine.

Keen’s original factory was based in Portland. During the early years, nearly 100% of Keen shoes sold worldwide were manufactured at that single factory. As demand grew in the 2000s, Keen expanded production capabilities to a second USA factory in Lewiston. Between the two sites, the majority of Keens continued being made stateside. Being manufactured domestically gave Keen control over quality and the ability to quickly pivot production.

Why Manufacture in the USA?

There are several key reasons Keen has maintained domestic manufacturing facilities:

• Control over quality – Keen has complete oversight of materials, standards, and processes when shoes are made in their own factories.
• Faster speed to market – Manufacturing in Portland and Lewiston allows for quick turnaround to meet demand.
• Supports local communities – Keen’s USA factories provide stable jobs and economic benefits.
• Reduced shipping time/costs – Products can be shipped quickly and cheaply from domestic sites to stores and distribution centers.
• “Made in USA” brand reputation – Keen’s heritage has always been closely tied to American manufacturing.

By keeping production close to home, Keen has been able ensure the fit, feel, and performance that customers expect from the brand. Their USA-made reputation has become a key differentiator in the market.

How Much Does Keen Still Make in the USA?

Over the past decade, Keen has expanded their product line extensively across many new styles, categories, and models. With this growth, the share of shoes manufactured in Keen’s US factories has decreased but remains substantial.

Currently, Keen publicly states that a “significant portion” of their shoes are still made in the USA. While they no longer disclose exact statistics, industry experts estimate this portion to be 30-40% of total production.

Certain iconic Keen models, including many Newport sandals, continue being 100% made in the USA. Some other shoes are manufactured in Asia and Europe, but a large percentage is still crafted at Keen’s Portland and Lewiston factories.

Keen Shoe Models	Made in USA?
Newport	Yes
Newport H2	Yes
Coronado	No, Imported
Clearwater CNX	Yes
Terradora Ethos	No, Imported

Based on manufacturing markings on shoe boxes, some styles like the Newport and Clearwater lines state “Made in USA” while others like the Coronado and Terradora are marked “Imported.”

Keen’s New Denver Factory

In late 2021, Keen opened an additional manufacturing facility in Denver, Colorado. This third domestic factory allows the company to bring even more production back to the United States. Initial output will focus on Keen’s popular hiking and lifestyle shoes. The Denver site joins Keen’s established factories in Portland and Lewiston as part of their ongoing commitment to American-made quality.

Why Doesn’t Keen Manufacture 100% in the USA?

With strong demand and growth into new markets globally, Keen has had to balance domestic manufacturing with offshore production. There are several factors that prevent Keen from solely relying on their US factories:

• Labor costs – Hourly wages are substantially lower in countries like China and Vietnam, allowing for reduced production expenses.
• Material sourcing – Many raw materials are only available from certain regions, necessitating international supply chains.
• Capacity constraints – Keen’s USA sites have limited production bandwidth and cannot fulfill worldwide demand on their own.
• Global distribution – Manufacturing in Asia improves shipping and delivery to retailers in Europe and Asia Pacific markets.

By utilizing a strategic combination of domestic and international manufacturing, Keen can maintain their high-quality standards while also achieving growth and global distribution goals.

Automation Advancements

In recent years, Keen has invested heavily in automating and upgrading their American factories. Advanced stitching and assembly robots have increased production capacity. This automation enables more styles to be made competitively in the USA compared to overseas. As automation expands further, Keen hopes to continue shifting production back to domestic sites.

Does Manufacturing Location Affect Keen Quality?

Keen maintains that their stringent standards and oversight ensure consistent quality across all manufacturing locations. However, many customers still perceive the “Made in USA” shoes as being better constructed and more durable. This perception stems from:

• Pride in supporting American made products
• Associating USA production with higher quality materials and craftsmanship
• Tighter quality control at Keen’s own factories

While Keen states their quality is uniform globally, many wearers insist there is a noticeable difference favoring the USA-made shoes. Some consumers specifically seek out US-made Keen models for this reason.

Worker Skill Levels

One factor impacting quality consistency is variability in worker skills. Keen’s domestic factories maintain a highly trained and experienced workshop. Workers at overseas factories may have more turnover and lack the expertise of Keen’s Portland or Lewiston craftspeople.

The Future of Keen’s US Manufacturing

Made in the USA remains a key component of Keen’s identity and appeal to consumers. While international production will continue playing a role, Keen seems committed to maintaining domestic manufacturing leadership in the footwear industry. Investments in their American factories point towards production continuing stateside.

Keen also realizes their US facilities are an advantage as trends like customization and faster order fulfillment grow. Producing closer to end consumers gives Keen agility hard to match with imported shoes.

As Keen expands their sustainable manufacturing initiatives, the lower carbon footprint of local production also becomes a bigger factor. We can likely expect Keen’s American-made percentage to grow rather than shrink in coming years.

Finding USA-Made Keen Shoes

For shoppers who prioritize American-made products, the best way to identify USA-manufactured Keen footwear is to look for the “Made in USA” label printed on the shoe box.

Models like the Newport, Targhee, and many classic sandal styles are typically made in Keen’s Portland or Lewiston factories.Searching for US-made colorways can help as well, since Keen tends to produce certain colors only in their domestic factories.

When in doubt, check with your retailer. Many Keen dealers can confirm country of origin for specific styles and SKUs. Supporting local Keen retailers is also the best way to economically contribute to domestic production.

Buy Direct from Keen

Purchasing directly from Keen’s website (www.keenfootwear.com) is the most reliable way to buy American made pairs. Filtering by “USA Shoes” under the men’s or women’s categories will showcase styles produced domestically. You can also contact Keen’s customer service line at 1-844-200-KEEN for assistance identifying US-made models currently available.

Conclusion

While offshoring has impacted many footwear brands, Keen remains dedicated to retaining substantial US manufacturing capabilities. Their factories in Portland, Lewiston, and Denver enable Keen to deliver the premium quality and quick responsiveness consumers demand. American production remains a core foundation of the Keen brand.

Shoppers who prioritize domestic manufacturing can continue finding a wide selection of Keen shoes proudly made in the USA. With automation enhancements allowing more styles to be produced stateside, Keen seems poised to maintain leadership as one of the top American-made footwear companies for years to come.