KEEN Partners with The Sole Man to Support Reef Relief

Key West, FL (March 17, 2017) — KEEN Inc. (KEEN), a values-led, independently owned outdoor and lifestyle footwear brand based out of Portland, Oregon known for its original and versatile products, has teamed up with the iconic shoe store The Sole Man from Key West to help protect the fragile coral reef ecosystems surrounding the Florida Keys.

The two companies are working closely with the Key West-based environmental group Reef Relief. KEEN has created a limited-run color of its newest sandal, the UNEEK, for Reef Relief, and $25 from the sale of each pair of the tropically colored UNEEK sandal will be donated to Reef Relief. The sandals will be sold by The Sole Man in their store at 610 Duval Street.

“I was one of the first Independent Retailers to launch Keen back in 2005,” says Sole Man owner, John Brandolino, “it is and always has been an iconic product in my store and for my customers. Developed by a yachtsman – Keen just made sense to me as a shoe and a brand- especially for Key West. A comfort infused sandal with a closed toe: water friendly and siped and lugged for on and off boats and trail-a perfect union.

Then in 2015 Keen launched and tested Uneek in a few retailers around the country. In my 12 years of retail and 25 years in the shoe industry- I have never seen a more positive response to a product than Uneek. Another sandal from Keen that lives true to its name- Uneek.”

In addition, The Sole Man and KEEN are sponsoring a service day in Key West on April 12 overseen by Reef Relief. During the service day, volunteers will be painting a message on local storm drains that reminds people that anything entering the drains ends up on the reef. There are more than 1,000 drains in Key West that need painting.

“Here at KEEN, we believe in standing behind our retail partners to build stronger communities and a healthier planet,” says Chris Enlow, Sustainability and CSR Director for the KEEN Effect. “The coral reefs around the Florida Keys are one of the world’s great treasures and we are proud to join with Reef Relief and The Sole Man to protect them.”

“One the most important issues when addressing the health of our coral reefs is water quality” says Mill McCleary, Executive Program Director of Reef Relief. “That is why we at Reef Relief are thrilled to partner with Keen and Sole Man volunteers to help spread the message that we need to keep our stormwater clean if we want to really improve nearshore waters and ultimately protect the coral reefs around Key West.”

Stop by The Sole Man to check out the Reef Relief UNEEK and help save the reefs. And, mark your calendars: The Sole Man, KEEN and Reef Relief will host a reception in The Sole Man store on Duval Street at 4pm on the day of the event, all are welcome to attend.

About KEEN: KEEN Inc. is a values led, independently owned outdoor footwear brand from Portland, Oregon with a mission to responsibly create original and versatile products, improve lives, and inspire outside adventure. Founded in 2003, KEEN ignited a revolution in the footwear industry with the introduction of the Newport sandal, launching the concept of Hybrid footwear into the market and setting KEEN on a path of driving consistent product innovation that exists today. KEEN strives to live by its values, from its products to its actions, and by activating communities and individuals to protect and preserve the places where we work and play. KEEN passionately endeavors to live fulfilling lives, challenge the status quo, do good, give back, and inspire others. Learn more at http://www.keenfootwear.com

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