Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 2 November 2026 · 5 sources
Portland footwear company known for its Newport sandal.
Keen can't show that the workers who make its products in the Dominican Republic and Cambodia earn a living wage, which workers there are very unlikely to.
Also worth knowing
It has no full independent audit.
Better-graded footwear
Graded higher than Keen, selling the same kinds of things. Second-hand first.
Second-hand and refurbished goods create no new factory work, so they're Good by rule and come first.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 1 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 2 red flags: no evidence of a living wage and a hidden, unaudited supply chain in high-risk countries. Two or more red flags means a poor grade.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 1 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsMost of its products are made in countries such as Thailand and Cambodia, where unions are heavily restricted, and it has no full supply chain audit.
- Not met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
- Not met: High-risk raw materials (leather and natural rubber) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNot traced or certified: natural rubber
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Hidden supply chain, mostly in countries with poor worker rights
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
Keen says which countries it makes its products in, but doesn't name the factories.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | Not given | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Dominican Republic | Not given | Strong protections | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Cambodia | Not given | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| Vietnam | Not given | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| India | Not given | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| Bangladesh | Not given | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| United States | 5% | Systematic violations | Below a living wage | Low |
Evidence
What we found
- Makes part of its range in its own factories
- Uses little or no cotton (e.g. wool, linen or leather products)
- Doesn't show where its natural rubber comes from. Natural rubber is linked to forced and child labour on some rubber plantations, so it can't be graded Good until it traces or certifies it.
- Traces or certifies most but not all of its leather. That doesn't count against it for Good, but the "Open supply chain" star needs all of it traced, certified or upcycled.
Research notes Keen owns three factories, in the US (Kentucky), Thailand and the Dominican Republic, which made 27% of its footwear in its 2025 report; the US makes about 5%. The rest comes from about 20 contract manufacturers in eight countries, including Cambodia, Vietnam, India and Bangladesh, but it publishes no supplier list or other country shares. It discloses no independent audit coverage and has no living wage commitment. Keen is a Leather Working Group member and sources leather only from LWG-certified tanneries.
Sources and actions
Sources 5
Show all 5 sources
- Shoe brand Keen is opening a new US factory (Modern Retail, 2025) · search the archive · About a third made in owned factories; US about 5% of production
- Where is KEEN footwear made? (KEEN help centre) · search the archive · Own factories in Kentucky, Dominican Republic, Thailand; partner factories in Cambodia, Vietnam, India and Bangladesh
Published by Keen or its owner
- Keen 2025 State of the Movement (Impact Report) · search the archive · Owns three factories (Thailand, Dominican Republic, US) making 27% of footwear; 20 contract manufacturers in 8 countries
- Consciously created better leather (KEEN blog, 2019) · search the archive · KEEN is an LWG member and only sources from LWG-certified suppliers
- Keen supply chain transparency disclosures · search the archive · Supplier code of conduct, verification and auditing disclosure headings
Company details
- Headquarters
- United States
- Last researched
- 2 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Keen ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/keen, last researched 2 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Keen.