Outdoor Retailer: Keen Climbing Shoes

This thread is for comments on the article "Outdoor Retailer: Keen Climbing Shoes"

...

Before thinking that Keen is just taking a flyer at making a climbing shoe, it may be important to do some additiional digging and research into the climbing market. You will find, that just as Keen has master planned every shoe in their line, the climbing shoes are no exception and have a very capable background.

In addition, although the Keen reps are not specific to the climbing world, the Keen agencies all have people who are passionate about the sport and specialize within their groups. Many, including several international reps, have extensive climbing resumes.

Hi RLR,

You make some good points and I actually have no doubt that Keen's climbing shoes will be as well made as their other outdoor shoes. I own quite a few pairs of Keen footwear myself and am very happy with them (and tell others the same often) and I’m sure they've put the same attention to detail and market research into this line.

I simply was honestly surprised to see Keen climbing shoes. It wasn't a direction I expected from them. The news also came just days after I read an industry article that reported that while the climbing market is healthy and stable, it’s not growing much or bringing in many new consumers.

While the climbing shoe market is considered saturated, that doesn't mean that the right company (big or small) with the right shoes won't break into it. I don't know if that's Keen or not; they have some obvious things going for them, but we'll have to wait and see what consumer reaction is.

I’m actually quite curious to see which way it goes and at this point wouldn’t wager a bet either way.