At FOOTDISTRICT we celebrate the arrival of KEEN with an editorial that shows the first Open-Air Sneaker as the sum of different environments.
KEEN Uneek, Open-Air Sneaker
A complex concept, a shoe that fits every foot. Simple materials: two cords and a sole. And an unpredictable evolution. The Open-Air Sneaker was the inspiration behind the creation of the KEEN Uneek, which was designed to help you have more outdoor experiences. However, the KEEN Uneek has changed its environment in the ten years since it was introduced, finding new uses for its comfort and functionality.
The fit lies at the core. Fit issues arise from the typical footwear’s two-dimensional design that accommodates three dimensions. You have to create something entirely new if you want a shoe to fit in a completely different way. That explains why its aesthetics are so dissimilar. Before 3D printers were a practical possibility, the KEEN Uneek was conceived as a 3D concept. Its construction is simple—two cords and one sole—which gives it infinite fit options and the ability to mould to the shape of the foot.
KEEN Uneek. Two cords, One sole, Ten years
Over the course of a decade, the KEEN Uneek has undergone evolution with the release of versions II and 03, Convertible, Harvest, Open Toe, or NXIS. However, the shoe still retains three key features: an adjustable fit with plenty of adjustment points provided by the two laces that double as the upper; breathable comfort facilitated by the arch support; and a construction made of recycled plastics.
In the most recent FOOTDISTRICT editorial, we made no decision. We introduce layers of urban contemporaneity to the original KEEN Uneek ambience and its connection to a natural setting. Accepting this dual impulse originates in Asia, as evidenced by collaborations between KEEN Uneek, trailblazers like Engineered Garments, footwear historians like RFW, and sneaker scene myths like Mita or Atmos.
The new season of KEEN, with different styles of Uneek is now available at FOOTDISTRICT.