The Keen brand was formed in 2003 in response to a lack of suitable sandals on the on the market which were able to deal with the rigours of water sports whilst providing adequate protection for the toes. Sandals left the toes exposed and shoes became waterlogged and heavy making them difficult and tiring to wear and a nightmare to dry out after a good soaking.
Their response was to develop a range of hybrid shoes combining the technical features of a walking shoe with the lightweight design of a water-sports sandal. The most striking feature which is present throughout the range is the patented toe protection element which prevents stubbing toes by utilising a protective rubber toe bumper for cushioning. Due to the additional forces at work underwater, their sandals have a robust design to prevent tearing and a thick sticky carbon rubber sole with a razor sipped tread to expel underfoot water for a secure foothold.
The Keen Newport sandal was their first creation which offered the robustness and protection of a shoe, with a lightweight design and excellent waterproofing. It became an instant bestseller with white water enthusiasts due to the superb grip and protection it provided from underwater hazards. The model remains as popular today as it was when created, and is still the number 1 bestselling model for men.
Designed for an aquatic life, the uppers are fully waterproof and are constructed from hard wearing leather, Nubuck or synthetic abrasive resistant materials. For easy tightening and removal when wet, the shoes feature an elasticised drawstring lacing system which keeps the shoes tight on the feet. An anatomical last construction ensures great support underfoot, and a healthy environment is maintained with an Aegis anti-microbial treatment.
As a female companion to the Newport, the Keen Venice offers the same outstanding features with a more lightweight design and more feminine styling with contrast stitching and more delicate straps, whilst still retaining the same grip and protection. Ideal for canoeing and kayaking, bouldering, scrambling and rock hopping they are one of the few truly amphibious sandals on the market and certainly regarded as the best by lovers of extreme water sports.
Whilst Keen sandals were designed to deal with the problems created underwater, the range has since been expanded to deal with the problems of water on dry land, protecting against occasional downpours, deeper than expected puddles, and offering great traction in thick mud and on wet grass. They have been designed to keep the feet warm in winter, cool in summer and perfectly dry no matter what the weather.
The Keen shoes range includes both men and women’s mid-boots and shoes with the trademark chunky sticky rubber soles and protective toe bumper. More suited to walking and hiking, the entire range is kept lightweight to help reduce muscle fatigue, and is better suited to moving at pace over varied terrain even offering great functionality for a cross country run.
Their shoe range features a host of Keen technologies which have been developed in house to give the ultimate protection for the feet in terms of grip, comfort and insulation. E-vent membranes offer a waterproof seal whilst retaining excellent breathability, their S3 support structure gives outstanding shock absorption of forces from a heavy heel strike and their dual climate rubber compounds hardens in cold temperatures for extra bite in snow and ice, and softens when the temperatures rise for outstanding grip no matter what the surface and conditions.
If you are serious about extreme outdoor sports then Keen are worth exploring further and you can find full details of the range of hybrid sandals and shoes at http://www.fitnessfootwear.com/c-377-keen.aspx
Popularity: unranked [?]
Darts legend Bobby George put down his arrows and laced up his running shoes in a charity supermarket trolley dash.
Mr George raised over £2,000 this week when he took part in the stunt to raise money for Sport Relief, reports the Norwich Evening News.
“I always like to try something different and I did – I wrecked the whole shop. It was good fun, normally you’d get chucked out for doing something like that,” he told the paper.
The two-time News of the World Darts Championship winner also said he would be joining other runners for the Sport Relief mile run in Ipswich on March 16th.
Mr George’s trolley dash took place at the Sainsbury’s Pound Lane store, which told the paper it was happy it could make a contribution to the charity.
Sport Relief will see thousands, included celebrities such as Fearne Cotton and Davina McCall, take part in events across the country.
If you’re taking part in a charity sporting event, find Keen, Ecco and Merrell footwear here.
Popularity: unranked [?]
A minister in a Canadian province has been showing off her commitment to the environment by wearing a pair of green shoes.
Although it is unclear if the shoes are from the Ecco, Merrell or Keen, it is certain that they show how passionate the wearer, British Columbia’s finance minister Carole Taylor, is towards ensuring something is done to tackle issues such as climate change.
Speaking just before the announcement of a new budget, Ms Taylor said despite forecast slow economic growth, issues such as the environment need to be put first.
According to theglobeandmail.com, she said: “In years past, every time you got a bump in the economy, people have used that as an excuse to not deal with the environment. I don’t think we have that choice any more.”
The minister has still yet to confirm whether she is planning to introduce the controversial carbon tax.
If you are after a pair of ethically produced shoes which still offer comfort and durability, then footwear fit for golf or running in from the likes of Patagonia are available from here at Fitness Footwear.
Popularity: unranked [?]
Running shoes like those available from Mizuno and Ecco, and other fitness accessories have become of interest to one woman as she sets her mind to running the London Marathon to raise money to help her sister.
The 22-year-old Joanne Barter is set to join more than 30,000 runners in the London Marathon in April to raise funds for her sister, Elaine, who suffers from high blood pressure and cholesterol.
She is also looking to raise £1,250 for HEART UK, a charity which supports those at risk of inherited high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease.
Speaking to Peterborough Today, Joanne Barter said she is relying on her own determination to see her through, having never ran this far before.
“I have always enjoyed running for pleasure, normally four miles, twice a week, but now I will have to up my game,” she told the newspaper.
She continued: “The furthest I have ever run is a half marathon, so this is going to be a big step for me.”
Shoes fit for a marathon from the likes of Ecco, Keen and Hi-Tec are available here at Fitness Footwear.
Popularity: unranked [?]
While Little Britain star David Walliams is only putting his swimming trunks on for Sports Relief this year, Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell is set to be packing slightly more as he cycles and rows for the charity.
Olympic rower, Cracknell will be packing his running shoes, although it is unclear if he is wearing Mizuno or Ecco, as part of a week long event to row, swim and cycle from the UK to Africa
Walliams, Matt Lucas’ co-star on the popular Little Britain comedy show, is due to join the rower for the swimming leg of the challenge, which will be 12 miles across the Strait of Gibraltor.
Speaking to the BBC, he said: “I thought, ‘what could I do?’ And I thought perhaps I could steal some of James Cracknell’s thunder by joining him on the swimming part.”
“People might think that I did all the rest of it too,” he concluded.
Last year he raised over £1 million for Sports Relief by swimming across the English Channel.
If you are going to be running, cycling or even playing sponsored golf to raise money for this year’s Sports Relief you will need suitable footwear.
Shoes from Ecco, Merrell and Keen are available here.
Popularity: unranked [?]
James Toseland, superbike champion, has seen how putting on exercise shoes and running for charity can help those in need when he visited Leeds.
The effects of donning Mizuno, Ecco and Keen shoes, for Sports Relief were in evidence when the biker visited the Sports Relief funded, Archway project in Roundhay Road, Harehills.
Not only does the centre benefit from the less disadvantaged putting their Hi-Tec and Keen trainers on and running for charity but it encourages younger people to get together through sport and exercise.
Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Toseland, who became the world superbike champion when he was just 23 years-old, said: “The sports project has gone from strength to strength.
“[It] is helping build the teamworking and communication skills that will stand the young people in good stead for the future,” he concluded.
If you want to do your bit for Sports Relief this year, then you will need footwear which combines comfort with durability.
Brands such as Ecco, Keen and Merrell which offer this are available here from Fitness Footwear.
Popularity: unranked [?]
Children are being challenged to get out their running shoes and do their bit for a schools fitness initiative to get the chance to win thousands of pounds worth of exercise equipment.
Trainers from the likes of Ecco, Hi-Tec, Merrell and Keen will be being placed on the feet of youngsters across the land as they compete in the Fitter Schools UK Challenge in the spring.
Speaking at the launch of the 2008 Challenge, Dean Horridge, managing director and founder of Fit For Sport,said: “Getting more children, more active is one of the government’s and the prime minister’s major objectives.
“That is why initiatives like the Fitter Schools Challenge are so important to the long term welfare of our children,” he added.
The challenge focuses on children’s activity and mobility and packs have been put together by the initiative organisers to ensure people can participate regardless of existing sports and PE facilities and capabilities.
Children looking to take part in the national event will need appropriate shoes.
Suitable brands such as Ecco, Merrell and Keen are available here from Fitness Footwear.
Popularity: unranked [?]
A 65 year-old man is still showing that he is as fit as he was twenty years ago by giving up his day job to become an adventurer, according to reports.
The one time mountaineer and ice climber, who was born years before the technology of hiking boots of Ecco, Merrell and Keen existed to make exercise in the form of hill-walking that little bit easier, is still keen walker and loves to get on the slopes.
Bob Garrison, who according to the Concordmonitor.com has climbed mountains in the Himalayas and the Alps, now loves to ski down mountains rather than climb up them but preferred hiking to the ski lift.
“This year, I went up with my season pass and they threw me out,” Garrison said.
“They said no hiking allowed. I always hike up for my first run. That’s my thing, I like it,” he told the paper.
If you fancy investing in a pair of walking shoes that could last into your old age then suitable brands from the likes of Ecco, Merrell and Mizuno can be found here at Fitness Footwear.
Popularity: unranked [?]
Soldiers at an Iraq base held a fun run as part of their first ever Mardi Gras event, a news provider has reported.
Whether they used Ecco, Mizuno or Keen is unclear, but the soldiers put on their running shoes to take part in the event, which was organised to mark the final 24 hours before the 40 day Christian festival of Lent.
Soldiers reported to duty at Camp Adder in Tallil, Iraq, wearing festive masks and beads and brandishing trumpets and trombones before embarking on the run around the base.
Speaking to leesvilledailyleader.com, Sergeant 1st class Shermeka Myles, support operations transportation non-commissioned officer in charge, said: “The music, beads, and costumes took my mind off the mission briefly to enjoy what I consider to be the best festivity the state …has to offer by far.”
After the run had finished the troop was shown a video from a school in their hometown of Louisiana wishing them support in their endeavours.
If you are thinking of taking up running, whether it be in fancy dress or not, then you will require suitable footwear, available here from the likes of Ecco and Merrell at Fitness Footwear.
Popularity: unranked [?]
Putting on your Mizuno running shoes and going for a jog along with eating healthily are activities which could help you live longer, according to new research.
A study conducted at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston showed that getting outside in your Hi-Tec or Ecco trainers to exercise, train in the gym or even get on the golf course are activities three times more important in helping you live longer than characteristics in your genes.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, leading researcher, Dr Laural Yates, said: “Smoking, diabetes, obesity and hypertension significantly reduced the likelihood of a 90-year life span, while regular vigorous exercise substantially improved it.”
Researchers studied almost 2,400 men in an attempt to investigate how to have an “exceptionally long life”.
An estimated 41 per cent of participants lived to be 90 or over, with the variation in human life spans found to be linked to variables such as smoking, diet and exercise.
If you would like to live longer then you need to be exercising regularly.
Suitable footwear for running, playing golf or getting in the gym from Ecco, Merrell and Keen are available here at Fitness Footwear.
Popularity: unranked [?]
The diminutive pop star, who would only be able to don size three shoes from the like of Ecco or Merrell, came top with 15 per cent of the vote while Brad Pitt’s other half, Angelina Jolie, finished in a close second with 13 per cent.
According to reports, Minogue said: “My feet are quite good. I’ve had many a girlfriend curse me about my feet.”
George Clooney was crowned ‘Footsie King’ receiving 24 per cent of the vote while Kate Moss’ ex-boyfriend Pete Doherty and conservative party leader David Cameron were the top ‘turn offs’ when it came to feet.
If you are after a thrill with a foot but would prefer it covered, then shoes from the likes of Ecco, Merrell and Keen could give you the pleasure you are after.
They are available here at Fitness Footwear.
Popularity: unranked [?]
A man’s size has inspired him to get out his running shoes and walk the equivalent of the number of stones he weighs in miles for charity.
According to the BBC, Gavin Thompson, who describes himself as a “fully fledged fat man” and his friends will be walking the number of miles he and his friend Matt Whitticase weigh to raise awareness of the terminal disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1.
The pair donned their fitness footwear, whether it be from Hi-Tec, Mizuno or another brand, and hauled themselves off their couches back in October after a friend’s five month old daughter, Georgia, died from the disease.
Speaking to the BBC, Mr Thompson said: “We weren’t sure how far we could or should walk.”
“So to start with we both got on the bathroom scales, only to find that our combined weight was literally ‘off’ the scale,” he added.
The pair are now walking 52 miles as part of a team of 17 walkers in a bid to raise £100,000 for charity.
If you are into the idea of undertaking exercise then suitable shoes from brands such as Ecco, Merrell and Keen, are available here from Fitness Footwear.
Popularity: unranked [?]
A 74 year-old man has announced he is to dig out his running shoes in April so he can compete in this year’s London Marathon.
Although Bimam Mullick, who is a campaigner for clean air, has not said if he is to wear Ecco or Mizuno trainers on his feet for the run, he will be giving it all when it comes to April 13th.
Talking to the timesofindia, he said: “Jogging is fun. I am totally addicted to jogging. Iam sure, it is a better addiction than an addiction to tobacco. Jogging costs nothing, it is the easiest way to keep fit and most people can jog.”
Mr Mullick, who is the honourary director of Cleanair: Campaign for a Smoke-free Environment, is hoping that his efforts will draw attention to smoking and its effect on health and the environment.
If you, like Mr Mullick, are looking to go running then you will need suitable footwear to ensure you get the best performance.
Shoes from the likes of Ecco, Merrell and Keen are all available from here at Fitness Footwear.
Popularity: unranked [?]
Peter O’Toole is more famous for his roles in films such as Lawrence of Arabia, Venus and My Favourite Year, yet his feet have recently drawn attention when he was caught wearing a pair of UGG boots on the set of his latest film.
The star was caught on the set of new period comedy, Dean Spanley, wearing the comfortable footwear alongside co-stars Sam Neill and Art Malik.
According to rottentomatoes.com, the Leeds-born Oscar nominated actor strolled past “in what would be complete Edwardian period costume were it not for a pair of comfy-looking Ugg boots on his feet”.
Ugg boots are not only favoured by actors but by the parents’ of comedian, Alan Carr.
According to the Independent, one of the first things that the funny man’s mum demanded after he found fame was a pair of boots from the brand.
Footwear from a variety of brands such as Ecco, Merrell and Keen which are both long lasting and comfortable can be found here at Fitness Footwear.
Popularity: unranked [?]
Dog owners could do their bit for charity by digging out their walking shoes and taking their four legged friends out on a sponsored stroll.
Although shoes from the likes of Ecco, Merrell or Keen would not be of much use to the dogs involved, their owners could benefit from the combination of comfort and sturdiness afforded by the footwear for the event.
By taking part, walkers and their pets can raise funds for Endometriosis UK, a charity that helps women who suffer from Endometriosis – a debilitating disease which affects more than two million women in the UK.
Organisers, Kathryn Row, who suffers from the disease and friend Dawn Smith, are hoping to raise £5,000 so they can don their walking boots and trek the Inca Trail in Peru.
Speaking to Newspostleader.co.uk, Ms Smith said: “We’ve always wanted to trek the Inca Trail and this is the perfect way to do it, raising vital funds and awareness for the charity.”
Whether you’re a dog walker of looking to trek across Peru you will need appropriate footwear, which can be found here at Fitness Footwear.
Popularity: unranked [?]