Keen launches “Wear Masks – Love Others”

Editor’s note: The following is a press release from Keen.

KEEN Inc (KEEN) is once again stepping up to help in the fight against COVID-19 by making stylish, comfortable and washable face masks, responsibly made from upcycled material in KEEN’s own factory. Per Health Canada recommendations, people are advised to wear washable, reusable non-medical grade cloth masks when in public to help our community stay safe and healthy. This will require a shift in social norms: wearing a face covering needs to become socially acceptable and KEEN’s new Harvest Masks make that easy.

“As the world adjusts to life with COVID-19, we know that wearing masks in public will be an important part in keeping this virus in check until a vaccine is developed and widely applied. Until that time, we are supporting the Health Canada recommendations regarding the use of cloth face coverings, by making comfortable masks that people feel good about wearing them everyday in public.” said Erik Burbank, KEEN Chief Brand Officer.

View this post on Instagram

WEAR MASKS, LOVE OTHERS. As the world adjusts, wearing masks in public will be an important part of keeping each other safe. Wearing masks is a simple choice everyone can make to help protect those around us.⁣ ⁣ A few weeks ago, we gave 100,000 pairs of shoes, about $10,000,000 worth, to healthcare workers and other everyday heroes as part of our Together We Can Help initiative. We’re keeping the love going by donating 100,000 KEEN masks to more folks on the front lines, like Fred Meyer grocery store clerks and their families. #TogetherWeCanHelp

A post shared by KEEN (@keen) on Apr 27, 2020 at 2:31pm PDT

In March, KEEN provided 100,000 pairs, about $10,000,000 worth of shoes globally to those on the front line of the pandemic as part of their Together We Can Help initiative. The family-owned company has again committed to helping in the fight against COVID-19 by donating KEEN Harvest Masks to those on the front lines, like Longo’s grocery store clerks and the staff at Morelli’s Pharmacies.  KEEN has also donated Harvest Masks to the “Masks for Everyone Campaign” started by Ann Kaplan in Toronto.

Made on a converted production line in one of KEEN’s own footwear factories in Thailand, KEEN’s Harvest Mask is made from up-cycled materials originally sourced for KEEN shoes, and is designed to be worn like clothing. With a four-way stretch material for all day comfort, the face coverings are washable and reusable to minimize impact on our planet.

This conscious approach to creating solutions in a sustainable way has been a hallmark of KEEN’s culture from day one. The Harvest Mask will help change the cultural perception of wearing a mask as part of your everyday wardrobe and help our community stay healthy.

To encourage the wearing of masks as everyday attire, KEEN has created a full line of KEEN Harvest Masks that will be available in early May for fans to purchase through KEENFOOTWEAR.com

View this post on Instagram

The benefit of owning some of our factories is that we can adapt quickly. We've refocused our energy into making masks the KEEN way. We are using upcycled materials originally sourced for our shoes to make our first-generation mask. With a four-way stretch fabric for all-day comfort, these face coverings are washable and reusable to minimize the impact on our planet. Now, with COVID-19, wearing masks is just as important as wearing shoes on our feet when we head out. #TogetherWeCanHelp

A post shared by KEEN (@keen) on Apr 28, 2020 at 10:10am PDT