Keen Bags From Keen Shoes
by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA on 05. 8.07
The waste-not-want-not philosophy has found a recent adherent in Keen Footwear, a Bay Area-turned-Portland manufacturer of outdoor sandals and trail shoes distinguished by its line of rubber-toed "hybrid" sandals. To divert waste from the company's shoe manufacturing process, Keen's crack team of product designers came up with Hybrid Transport, a series of bags incorporating leftover aluminum and rubber materials.
“Rather than accept the idea that the excess material is pure waste, Keen started to think of ways to use the waste and to lessen the impact created by making footwear,” says Eric Groff, Keen’s national sales manager of bags and packs, in an interview with Sustainable Industries.
Also in the mix are recycled foam and polyester from outside sources. Keen's Hybrid Transport line currently contains 40 percent recycled materials, but the company has its sights on reaching a full 100 percent before long, according to Groff. We'd love to see that eco-savvy at work with Keen's still-less-than-sustainable shoes next. :: Sustainable Industries :: Keen Footwear
i so want one of these.
The bags are great! They are so well-designed for functionality, too. For example, I just got the backpack, and it's a zipper-less, top-loading backpack with no "junk" on the outside: no useless bottle-holders, mesh sacks, cell phone pockets (but the cell phone pockets are actually ingenious), etc. Great design all around: good philosophy and good reuse.
keen bags..should i laugh now.another late cloner of my designs and a sad job of it. reeks of chinese qualtity too. recycled materials. yea right. lousy airline buckle on strap. cheap ballistic material.
john peters
manhattan portage ltd.
These bags are great really easy to work out if your have an on the run job it serve you well. Ironically I've tried a manhattan portage ltd.bag the damn thing was crap so get off your soap box.
I have a Manhattan Portage messenger bag and was looking for a laptop bag. I thought I'd get Manhattan Portage laptop bag, since I've been happy with the messenger bag. However, after reading John's comment I've decided to go with the Keen bag. I'd seen them and liked them, but couldn't decide. I'll go with the company that appears to have the better attitude.
Thanks John,
Nick
quote:
"keen bags..should i laugh now.another late cloner of my designs and a sad job of it. reeks of chinese qualtity too. recycled materials. yea right. lousy airline buckle on strap. cheap ballistic material.
john peters
manhattan portage ltd."
I love Keen's footwear and the bags. They are strong and durable. I have 3 Keen's bags and 6-7 pairs shoes. I love them all.