Two new sneakers from Keen are made with a proprietary manufacturing method that uses agricultural waste to create what the brand describes as the industry's first sneakers with plant-based soles constructed without chemical solvents. Part of its Detox The Planet Initiative, the first "Field to Foot" (F2F) styles — the Eldon sneaker for men and Elsa V sneaker for women — are available now as limited edition offerings for $120 on the brand’s website. The collection also introduces Keen's "unbox,"  which uses approximately 63% less cardboard than a traditional shoebox and is 100% biodegradable.

F2F, using advanced polyurethane sustainable technologies, is “the most significant environmental technology launch in Keen’s history,” according to Steve Workman, senior director, global product innovations at Keen. Not only does F2F Technology utilize waste from the agricultural industry, it offsets the use of petrochemicals, while eliminating the use of chemical solvents. The outsole on the  shoes is 51% agricultural waste.

Keen has been researching and working with harvested waste materials in its footwear since 2007.  F2F Technology, specifically, was two years in development — the brand partnered with Huntsman Polyurethane in the development and testing of the plant based compounds in the shoes.