KEEN make a new shoe with two cords, one sole and zero glue

Pacing their way along the pathway to making the world’s cleanest footwear, KEEN have released their first ever glue-free shoe in the form of the phenomenal looking new UNEEK 360 model. All about circularity the 360 features a removable knit upper and articulated cords (made from recycled plastic bottles) that totally remove the need for any harmful solvents in their construction. Which is a conscious move from KEEN in support of their brilliant Detox the Planet initiative to make a modular, neck-snapping design that’s free of solvents as vice-president Blaine Conrad explains:

“UNEEK has always defied the status quo, completely disrupting how shoes are made. With UNEEK 360, we took its iconic two-cord design even further, creating a modular design held together with cords instead of glue to remove harmful solvents from the construction. It’s also Consciously Created with recycled materials in the upper and can be disassembled at the end of its life.”

The UNEEK has been a personal favourite of mine pretty much since their inception so it’s great to see KEEN continuing to push the envelope with this iconic ‘open air sneaker’, especially when it’s in such an eco-friendly direction. If they can make such an innovative and futuristic piece of footwear without the use of solvents then there’s no excuse for other likeminded brands not to follow suit.

The KEEN UNEEK 360 will be available from 13.02.26 HERE.