Is KEEN made in USA?

Quick Answers

KEEN footwear is not entirely made in the USA. While KEEN is a US company headquartered in Portland, Oregon, most KEEN shoes are manufactured overseas in countries like China and Vietnam. However, some KEEN shoes are assembled in the USA using both domestic and imported components. Overall, KEEN strives to support US manufacturing when possible, but relies on global supply chains as well.

KEEN Company Background

KEEN is an American footwear brand that was founded in 2003 by Martin Keen and Rory Fuerst in Portland, Oregon. At the time, Martin Keen was an avid sailor and wanted to create a shoe that could provide toe protection while sailing, hence the Newport sandal was born as KEEN’s first product. The unique toe bumper became a signature design element for the KEEN brand.

KEEN products are designed for outdoor activities like hiking, water sports, and more casual urban use. Beyond shoes, KEEN also produces bags, socks, and other accessories. The company focuses on versatile hybrid products intended for both adventure and everyday wear.

KEEN products are sold at outdoor retailers like REI and specialty shoe stores, as well as department stores like Nordstrom and online retailers like Zappos. KEEN has grown into an international brand while still maintaining its headquarters in Portland.

KEEN’s Commitment to Manufacturing in the USA

While many footwear brands have moved 100% of their production overseas, KEEN has made an effort to maintain some domestic manufacturing operations. Certain KEEN products are assembled at company-owned facilities in Portland, Oregon and Rock Island, Tennessee.

However, most KEEN shoes contain at least some imported components. The raw materials and parts are sourced globally from places like China, Vietnam, and Italy. Complete manufacturing abroad lowers costs, so KEEN relies on overseas factories as well. The company strives for transparency and traces the supply chain origins for each model.

KEEN touts its American employees involved in concepts, design, and testing. The company partners with US factories utilizing American labor to produce collections like the American Built line. Certain customization and limited editions are also made in the USA.

Overall, KEEN aims to support American manufacturing, but imported materials and foreign factories are still essential to the business. Sourcing and assembly occurs on a global scale even if KEEN maintains a base in Portland. The company leverages international supply chains to offer quality products at reasonable price points to consumers.

Examples of KEEN Shoes Made in the USA

Here are some examples of KEEN footwear assembled domestically:

Newport H2 Sandal

The classic Newport open-toed hiking sandal is KEEN’s flagship product. Select colorways of the Newport H2 sandal are assembled at KEEN’s Portland factory. The domestic version utilizes imported components like rubber outsoles from Italy.

UNEEK Shoes

KEEN’s UNEEK sandals and shoes feature a woven cord upper provide a unique comfortable fit. These innovative products are made at KEEN’s Tennessee facility using both domestic and global materials.

Targhee Boots

The Targhee hiking boots are assembled domestically as part of KEEN’s American Built collection. The boots use leather from the United States and outsoles from Italy.

Custom KEEN Uneek

Customers can design their own unique UNEEK sandal or shoe through the KEEN Custom program. These made-to-order customized products are hand assembled at the Portland headquarters.

Limited Edition Collections

Some special collections like the America the Beautiful series or National Parks editions are manufactured at KEEN’s US factories in limited quantities. These special models celebrate American landscapes and parks.

Examples of KEEN Shoes Made Overseas

Many KEEN shoes are imported from factories in Asia:

Whisper Sandals

The popular Whisper sport sandals are made in China. The straps use imported synthetic materials and rubber outsoles.

Terradora Hiking Shoes

Designed for women hikers, Terradora shoes are imported from Vietnam. The engineered mesh uppers and rubber soles are sourced globally.

Arroyo III Hiking Shoes

Part of the men’s hiking collection, the Arroyo III comprises imported components from China and assembles the shoes in China as well.

Kids’ Newport H2 Sandals

The kids’ versions of the classic Newport sandals are imported. The raw materials originate from various countries before final assembly in China.

Explorer Collection

KEEN’s outdoor Explorer hiking boots for men and women are not usually made in the USA. The collection relies on imported leathers and components.

Comparison of KEEN’s US-Made and Imported Shoes

Shoe Model Made in USA or Imported?
Newport H2 Sandal Assembled in USA
Whisper Sandals Imported from China
UNEEK Shoes Assembled in USA
Arroyo III Shoes Imported from China
Targhee Boots Assembled in USA
Explorer Boots Imported

This table summarizes some examples of KEEN footwear made domestically versus imported models. While some shoes like the Newport and UNEEK are assembled in KEEN’s US factories, many others including the Whisper, Arroyo, and Explorer rely more exclusively on foreign manufacturing.

Factors Behind KEEN’s Manufacturing Decisions

KEEN weighs various factors when deciding where to manufacture each shoe model including:

Cost Savings

Overseas manufacturing has major cost advantages over American factories in areas like labor and raw materials. Producing abroad results in savings that allow KEEN to offer lower retail prices.

Material Sourcing

Many shoe components like rubber, leather, and textiles are only available through international vendors. KEEN must source certain materials globally based on availability.

Production Capabilities

Highly technical shoes require specialized equipment only available in certain factories. Unique products like the UNEEK need production methods that KEEN’s US plants cannot accommodate.

Customer Demand

Made in USA models appeal to shoppers focused on domestic manufacturing. KEEN produces select collections in the US to meet consumer interest, even at higher costs.

Company Values

As a Portland-based brand, KEEN wants to support local jobs and American labor when feasible. But these ideals must be balanced with business realities.

Flexibility and Efficiency

Relying solely on US production would limit flexibility and output needed to meet market demand. KEEN’s global supply network provides scalability.

Evaluating these pragmatic factors prompts KEEN to utilize a blended approach between domestic capabilities and overseas partners. Manufacturing strategy involves finding the right balance to deliver quality, innovation, competitive pricing, and responsible sourcing.

Does KEEN Manufacture Any Products Entirely in the USA?

KEEN does not manufacture any shoes 100% made in the USA from materials sourced solely within the United States. The company relies on imported raw materials like rubber, leather, and textiles even for shoes assembled domestically.

Certain limited edition American Built boots come closest to being 100% US-made. The assembling, stitching, eyelets, grommets, and laces occur domestically. But the outsoles and leather uppers are imported from Italy and Brazil respectively.

Given the global nature of supply chains, footwear brands have difficulty guaranteeing products completely made and sourced in one country. Sourcing restrictions would also significantly raise costs for consumers. KEEN’s manufacturing approach balances American construction with imported components needed for performance, comfort, and affordability.

Does KEEN Disclose Factory Locations?

KEEN provides transparency around its manufacturing origins through the What’s Inside tool on the company’s website. Consumers can look up individual shoe models to learn where they were made along with sourcing details.

For example, the Newport Hydro sandals are assembled in Portland, Oregon with outsoles from Italy and webbing from China. The Daybreak shoes import components from China, Vietnam, and Thailand for assembly in China.

By revealing supply chain information, KEEN demonstrates a commitment to ethical practices beyond many competitors. The company audits partner factories against standards for human rights, worker health and safety, and environmental regulations. KEEN shares this overview to enable informed decisions for conscious consumers.

Conclusion

In summary, KEEN is not a fully US-made brand, but strikes a balance between domestic and foreign production:

– Most KEEN shoes contain imported raw materials and components from places like China and Vietnam.

– Certain models like the iconic Newport sandal or innovative UNEEK are assembled at KEEN’s factories in Portland and Tennessee using US labor.

– Sourcing, designing, testing, and custom one-of-a-kind shoes happen in the United States.

– Overseas manufacturing is necessary for scalability, flexibility, capabilities, and affordable pricing.

– KEEN values transparency around origin and working conditions through its What’s Inside program.

– The company aims to support American jobs when viable but relies on global supply chains as the footwear industry norm.

While “Made in USA” may not define the entire KEEN catalog, the brand integrates domestic and international processes to deliver high-quality, responsible products true to KEEN’s identity as an outdoor lifestyle brand rooted in American entrepreneurship and innovation.