This week KEEN Custom was launched, allowing buyers to customize the look of the famous Newport H2 sandal. Five years ago, when KEEN first launched its website, the company began thinking about how they could incorporate buyer-designed shoes into their offerings.

“We have so many requests from our fans for ‘custom’ shoes, for everything from wedding attire to outback adventures,” said Christa DePoe, vice president of global online and retail at KEEN. “KEEN fans want to express their individuality.”

She said it took about eight months to complete the development work KEEN Custom.

“We went to great lengths to be sure we had implemented a tool and experience that our fans would love, and a system to be able to track and deliver all orders on time,” DePoe said.

There are more than 80 colors to choose from and more than 65 million possible color combinations of the shoes that retail for $150.

“Our KEEN custom program allows our fans to be able to create their own pair of our original Newport sandal, and get them on their feet in about two to three weeks. The moment the order is placed, the process begins,” DePoe said. “The factory immediately starts to work on the individual shoe, taking care to construct every detail as laid out by the user. The fan is updated throughout the process through emails as to the progress of their shoe-making venture. When the package arrives directly from the factory it comes in a special reusable KEEN shoe bag, along with a personally signed letter and a photo with all the details ordered, so that the buyer can confirm what they ordered was what arrived. Our intent is to give all KEEN fans an opportunity to make their footprint in their own unique Newport sandal.”

She said the seamless KEEN brand experience is what makes Custom unique.

“From the moment you go into our custom area, while designing, throughout the purchase process, during the build of the shoe, and upon opening the package, our fan is engaged in a full KEEN brand experience,” she said.