KEEN Turns Its Two-Cord UNEEK Into a Luxury Leather Mule
The all-gender UNEEK Mule WK drops the back of the sneaker for an easy slip-on shape.
Name: KEEN UNEEK Mule WK
Colorway: Black
SKU: 1033311
MSRP: $195 USD
Release Date: October 2
Where to Buy: Keen
KEEN is taking its most recognizable design in a more refined direction with the All Gender UNEEK Mule WK. The shoe converts the brand’s iconic two-cord sneaker into an ultra-premium mule, handcrafted in ethically sourced leather and finished in black.
The core idea is a change in form. The UNEEK’s defining two-cord construction carries over, but the closed sneaker becomes a mule, with the back opened up for an easy slip-on fit. Keeping the cords while removing the heel means the silhouette stays instantly recognizable even as it moves into a more relaxed shape.
The material shift is just as significant. Instead of the technical build associated with the original model, the mule is handcrafted from ethically sourced leather. That choice, together with the handwork, is what moves the UNEEK from a trail-adjacent oddity into the premium category KEEN is targeting here. The all-black finish keeps the focus on the leather and the cordwork rather than on color.
The move also fits the UNEEK’s history. The silhouette first arrived in 2014, and its open, cord-built design has always stood apart from the hiking boots and water sandals that make up most of KEEN’s catalog. That outlier status helped it win fans beyond the outdoors crowd. A leather mule leans into that identity, presenting the UNEEK as a design object first and outdoor gear second.
