Keen is entering a new category of outdoor footwear — trail running — with the July 25 release of its Seek shoe, which combines comfort, durability and eco-conscious design.
Keen‘s trail running Seek shoe.
The innovation team at Keen spent nearly two years bringing the Seek shoe to life, starting the journey by interviewing runners to determine what they would want in a trail running shoe and collaborating with wear testers nationwide to refine the geometry and design through several prototypes. Scott Robertson, innovation product manager and lead trail running developer at Keen, ran 900 miles last year wearing prototypes of what would become the Seek. The company, which earlier this year said it would not raise prices due to tariffs, has marked the shoe at a price of $185.
Robertson told FN, “We’ve spent 20 years building technical product for the outdoors, protecting wild spaces and detoxifying our supply chain. Along the way we learned a thing or two, and we poured all that knowledge and passion into the Seek to bring our best expression of trail running to our fans, new and old. The decision wasn’t made lightly, we spent months researching the marketplace, interviewing trail runners across the country about product and the culture and spirit of the sport itself. An incredible amount of time and effort took us to this moment.”
Keen’s trail running Seek shoe.
“After supporting our fans for thousands upon thousands of trail miles, we started to wonder: if we have proven better-for-your-feet fit, out-of-the-box comfort and best-in-class durability and protection, why couldn’t we make something for those fans who want to move a little faster?” said Will Schuh, director of product management at Keen, in a statement. “We built this shoe with the fan, for the fan, in a way that we haven’t ever done before.”
Keen’s trail running Seek shoe.
Robertson also shared what makes the Seek stand out in the market.
“Seek is our ‘ode to the long run.’ Fit, feel and durability are the biggest differentiators. Trail runners told us their biggest pain points: too-tight toe boxes, blown-out uppers, and either outsoles that wear out before the midsole or vice versa,” he explained.
These issues were addressed in the creation of the new shoe. Some of the technical features of the Seek include QuantumFoam offering a responsive, comfortable and stable run; high-abrasion rubber lugs contributing durability and traction for 925 miles, per Heeluxe; a decreased 6mm heel-to-toe drop and a wider forefoot facilitating a more natural foot strike, and a pre-molded TPU heel counter and lockdown-knit fit keeping the foot in place.
Also part of the design is a breathable upper featuring a padded tongue and a stretchy knit collar, which contributes to the shoe’s overall comfort. Additionally, the laces are reflective to enhance visibility and are woven in a manner that helps them stay tied. Keen also reports using Eco Anti-Odor, which is made with environmentally safe natural probiotics. A lightweight product, the shoe weighs 10.9 ounces for the men’s version and 8.75 ounces for the women’s.
Asked if Keen would like to expand further into this category, Robertson responded, “Without question — this is bigger than bringing a shoe to market. We’re just getting started. Trail Running is all about community and we think we can help break down barriers and build not only space for more people, but exceptional product that serves the needs of all runners, not just the fastest.”
The Seek can be found at keenfootwear.com and at select retailers.