Keen Review, Is Keen Non-Toxic?
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
Across 10 graded products, Keen averages Poor (47/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. None of its products grade Good or better yet. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Keen
Men's K-10 Outdoor Replacement Insole
EVA foam, textile mesh, rubber base
EVA degradation and microparticle shedding
Over extended use, EVA foam can fragment and shed microscopic particles, particularly if…
Rubber base adhesive leachables
The rubber-to-foam bond typically uses adhesives; in wet conditions or with prolonged…
Lower concern; standard insole materials without known PFAS triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
Keen
Men's K-30 High Outdoor Insole
foam cushioning with textile/synthetic upper
Azo dyes in textile upper
Synthetic textile uppers on insoles are often dyed with reactive or acid azo dyes during…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Synthetic textiles frequently receive formaldehyde-releasing resins for wrinkle…
Polyurethane foam degradation and isocyanate exposure
If the foam core is polyurethane, repeated moisture exposure and thermal stress can cause…
Bacterial and fungal colonization from moisture retention
Foam insoles can trap sweat and moisture, creating an environment for odor-causing…
Insoles lack PFAS transparency; KEEN's limited disclosure creates uncertainty.
⚠Risky category by default
Keen
Men's Utility K-20 Cushion Insole
foam cushioning, likely polyurethane or EVA
VOC off-gassing from polyurethane or EVA foam
New foam insoles routinely off-gas volatile organic compounds during the first few weeks…
Microplastic shedding from foam breakdown
As foam cushioning compresses and degrades over 12-18 months of use, it may shed…
Allergen response to foam or adhesives
A small number of users may experience contact dermatitis or irritation from foam…
Lower concern; standard foam insole with no PFAS-typical features identified.
⚠Risky category by default
Keen
Men's Utility K-10 Replacement Insole
EVA foam, fabric lining
Microplastic shedding or foam degradation
Prolonged wear and friction can cause minor foam particle shedding, especially in worn…
Lower concern; standard insole without water treatment.
⚠Risky category by default
Keen
Men's Utility K-30 Low Arch Insole
Foam cushioning (EVA or polyurethane base)
Adhesive or binding agent toxicity
Insole construction requires adhesives to bond foam, backing, and any reinforcement…
Microplastic shedding or foam degradation
Over time, EVA foam degrades and can shed small particles into socks and the environment…
Lower concern; no reported PFAS triggers in basic insole design.
⚠Risky category by default
Keen
Utility K-30 Arch Insole
Foam, fabric, possibly textile blend
Foam degradation and odor
EVA and polyurethane foam can break down under prolonged moisture, heat, or mechanical…
Allergen contact from fabric or adhesives
Individuals with contact dermatitis or sensitivities to synthetic textiles or…
Lower concern; basic insole with no known PFAS-prone features.
⚠Risky category by default
Keen
KUHL Women's Stretch Voyagr Trench Jacket
polyester blend with water-repellent coating treatment
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester textiles sometimes incorporate formaldehyde-based finishing resins for wrinkle…
Azo dyes in polyester coloring
Polyester apparel may use azo dyes, some of which can break down into carcinogenic amines…
water-repellent coating degradation and reapplication
water-repellent coating finishes degrade over time and with washing, losing water…
Antimony in polyester fiber
Polyester production sometimes uses antimony trioxide as a catalyst. Residual antimony in…
Skip until brand discloses water-repellent coating chemistry; PFAS risk unaddressed.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Keen
KUTTER Anorak Jacket (Jet) — Keen Kutter USA
Nylon with water-repellent coating
PFAS
Nylon anoraks commonly use traditional PFAS-based water-repellent coating finishes for…
Microplastics
water-repellent coating coatings degrade with washing and wear, especially without proper…
water-repellent coating-treated outerwear with no PFAS disclosure; avoid if concerned.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Keen
KUTTER Windbreaker Jacket (Hunter) — Keen Kutter USA
synthetic fabric with water-repellent finish
PFAS
Conventional water-repellent coating finishes on synthetic windbreakers typically rely on…
Synthetic microfiber shedding and degradation
Polyester and nylon windbreakers shed microfibers during washing and wear, especially…
PFAS risk unclear; no disclosure from Keen on finish chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Keen
Men's Outdoor K-20 Plus Insole
foam/gel insole with moisture-wicking treatment
PFAS
Outdoor insoles with moisture-wicking claims are almost universally treated with…
Foam microparticles from degradation
Closed-cell foam breaks down under compression and heat cycling, releasing small…
Allergic sensitization from treatment chemicals
Undisclosed water-resistant treatments and dye systems can trigger contact dermatitis in…
Insole likely waterproofed; KEEN does not disclose PFAS status.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →