Portland-based outdoor footwear company Keen has expanded its offerings as of late by entering into the market of limited-edition collaborations and lifestyle sneakers. Now, the brand has put an unexpected spin on classic basketball sneakers and turned them into OSHA-friendly safety work shoes.
Recently released, the Keen Overton Work Shoe is equipped with many of the key features one would need for being on their feet all day at a job. It has a carbon fiber toe which Keen says is 15 percent lighter than steel, an outsole that is oil and heat resistant and can withstand temperatures up to 572 F, materials that offer protection from electrical hazards and a heel guard that shields against abrasion.
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Featuring what Keen describes as a “throwback-inspired” design, the brand says the Overton Work Shoe is best suited for warehouse and assembly line work, carpentry, light manufacturing, framing and trucking. In a promotional video, Keen dubs the Overton Work Shoe “the safety shoe that doesn’t look like a safety shoe.”
Offered in colorways such as “Star White/Black” and “Salsa/Black,” it’s clear that Keen took inspiration from retro athletic models. The white-and-black style is reminiscent of Nike’s unescapable “Panda” Dunk sneaker, while the red iteration of the Overton Work Shoe bears an undeniable resemblance to Michael Jordan’s “Bred” Air Jordan 1.
Despite these similarities, Keen has made demonstrable changes that should prevent any potential legal action from other brands. In recent years, Nike has been particularly litigious when it comes to protecting its Dunk and Air Jordan 1 trademarks.
The Overton Work Shoe sneakers are offered in both low and mid-top variations as well as regular and wide sizing. The Overton Work Shoe is priced at $140, while the Overton Mid Work Shoe sees a slight increase to $145. Men’s and women’s styles are available now from Keen’s website.
