Keen Zionic Waterproof Sustainability Report

The Zionic Waterproof's synthetic upper is reinforced in key areas, and the full-length outsole provides decent coverage. However, the proprietary rubber isn’t as long-lasting as Vibram, and the plush foam midsole will soften and compress with time. Expect solid but not standout longevity.

Choosing durable outdoor gear is perhaps the most effective way to reduce environmental impact—the longer it lasts, the less it needs to be produced. Our proprietary longevity rating evaluates overall build quality based on factors such as materials, fabric denier, component durability (including zippers and toggles), real-world performance as reported by our field testers, and our experiences with the brand. Overall, we feel strongly that reducing overall consumption is a cornerstone of sustainability.

The Zionic's ripstop mesh is made of 100% recycled water bottles. Keen uses a wide array of recycled materials in its footwear, including recycled polyester and wool. The brand also upcycles industrial waste into select footwear. However, Keen does not publish any data about its total use of recycled or repurposed content.

Outdoor gear can be made partly or entirely from recycled materials, the most common being nylon, polyester, wool, and down. Some products include a single recycled component or a partially recycled fabric, while others are 100% recycled (generally excluding accessories like zippers, Velcro, toggles, etc.). For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate the amount of recycled materials in a particular product and assign points accordingly.

The durable water-repellent treatment on the Keen Zionic Waterproof does not contain PFAS. Keen has helped lead the way in eliminating PFAS in the outdoor industry, and all Keen waterproof products have been PFAS free since 2018. On top of that, Keen published a guide for other brands to follow to help them eliminate PFAS from their own durable water-repellent coatings and membranes.

The DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish is a product’s direct defense against outside moisture, and commonly contains PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These synthetic compounds, known as "forever chemicals,” are found in a range of gear categories, from jackets to footwear. They resist water, oil, and heat exceptionally well, making them ideal for outdoor use, but their nearly indestructible nature also means that they take an extremely long time to degrade in nature, if at all. PFAS can eventually end up in everything from soil to drinking water and have been linked to a range of health issues.

The Zionic’s waterproof membrane is PFAS free. All waterproof products that Keen makes have been PFAS free since 2018, including waterproof membrane materials.

The membranes of certain waterproof products, including rain jackets, ski jackets, ski bibs, hardshells, and hiking footwear, commonly contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These synthetic compounds, known as "forever chemicals,” resist water, oil, and heat exceptionally well, making them ideal for outdoor use, but their nearly indestructible nature also means that they take an extremely long time to degrade in nature, if at all. PFAS can eventually end up in everything from soil to drinking water and have been linked to a range of health issues.

The Keen Zionic Waterproof does not contain any Bluesign-approved materials. Keen is not a Bluesign System Partner and does not source Bluesign-approved materials for its footwear.

Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile certification system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A Bluesign-approved material indicates that it has undergone a rigorous vetting process based on the criteria above. A Bluesign Product goes the next mile, containing at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and at least 30% Bluesign-approved accessories.

Keen audits its factories to ensure compliance with its Code of Conduct and began rolling out Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audits in 2025. While these audits help monitor factory performance, Keen does not participate in a third-party responsible manufacturing program that certifies or rates factories, such as Fair Trade Certified or Fair Wear. The brand also owns three factories, where just under 30% of its shoes are made, including one in Kentucky. However, because it does not participate in a third-party certification or accreditation program, Keen does not meet our responsible manufacturing criteria.

This criterion evaluates a brand's commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing its environmental impact throughout the production process. Responsible manufacturing is most commonly demonstrated through certifications and membership in programs such as Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accreditation of Production, and the Fair Labor Association. We also recognize brands that prioritize local production, such as those that manufacture primarily in the United States or Europe, to reduce carbon emissions, maintain better oversight of working conditions, and comply with strict social and environmental regulations.

Keen uses 99% recycled cardboard boxes and 92-100% recycled tissue paper. To further reduce waste, the brand optimizes its shoebox sizes to better fit different footwear styles, reducing material use while improving shipping efficiency.

Packaging can add significant waste to an outdoor gear purchase and often ends up in landfills. Many brands are using recycled packaging and/or making efforts to reduce packaging altogether. For example, they may use a certain percentage of recycled cardboard or make efforts to use less plastic or paper across their packaging operation. In some cases, brands also use Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, which helps to ensure sustainable sourcing of forest materials.

In 2025, Keen re-launched its ReKeen resale program. Previously, the program only sold lightly used returned footwear, but it now accepts clean, wearable, pre-loved Keen shoes through a trade-in program. Customers who trade in eligible footwear receive a 20% off coupon. Shoes that cannot be resold are recycled whenever possible; those that cannot be recycled are discarded.

Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation for longer and out of landfills. The most common form is a trade-in program, where consumers can exchange items for store credit, which is then resold. Some brands accept products back for recycling at the end of their life, thereby reducing waste. Occasionally, some do both.

Keen has tracked its greenhouse gas emissions since 2021. The company has committed to reducing its absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 55% and its Scope 3 emissions intensity by 45% per thousand pairs of footwear by 2033, relative to a 2025 baseline. Keen plans to submit these targets to the Science Based Targets Initiative for verification in 2026. However, it has not established an absolute Scope 3 emissions reduction target, even though Scope 3 emissions account for 99% of its carbon footprint. In 2024, Keen emitted 123,017 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e). Between 2021 and 2025, it reduced its Scope 3 emissions intensity per thousand pairs of footwear by 8%, but we were unable to determine whether the company has reduced its absolute emissions.

This criterion evaluates whether this brand measures its greenhouse gas emissions, along with its commitment to reduction and transparency in reporting. Typically, we require brands to follow established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. Most companies use the widely recognized scope categorization system for measuring brand emissions. Those who earn the most points in this category have emissions reduction goals verified by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), a global organization that helps companies set greenhouse gas reduction targets in line with the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C. To verify their goals through SBTi, companies undergo a rigorous assessment process and continual follow-up to ensure consistent progress towards achieving their targets.

Keen publishes a detailed annual impact report outlining its sustainability initiatives. The report covers topics such as packaging, efforts to reduce harmful chemicals, greenhouse gas emissions, and lower-impact leather sourcing. However, it does not include information about the brand's use of recycled materials. Otherwise, the report provides a comprehensive overview of Keen's sustainability efforts.

An impact report is an important step toward transparency and accountability on the sustainability front. These reports vary in form but generally cover topics such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions tracking, waste and water usage, supply chain analysis, and packaging efforts. For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate this criterion based on the depth and quality of the information provided in the report, and how often it is produced. Some brands produce their own impact report, while others are published by their parent company. In practice, we’ve found that reports produced by individual brands include more detailed information about their sustainability efforts.