Keds Footwear Brand History

Keds Shoes History

Since 1916, Keds sneakers have represented authenticity, quality, performance and style. Leading actresses, athletes and style icons throughout the years have worn their Keds canvas sneakers. Keds has a myriad of canvas shoe styles from the classic canvas champion sneaker and vintage inspired wedges to ballet flats, sandals, and sporty sneakers. Today, Keds is taking personalization to the next level in Keds Studio where you can design your own custom Keds by picking colors and adding graphics, photos and text to create your own one of a kind custom canvas shoe.
 

In 1916, the Keds brand was introduced by the U.S. Rubber Company as the first national athletic and lifestyle footwear brand. At this time, the shoes were called sneakers, a term invented in late 1916 by Keds advertising agency because the rubber soles made the shoes quiet. Worn by fashion icons, leading actresses, Olympic soccer players and scores of National and International tennis champions, Keds has been a symbol of classic style and performance innovation throughout the 20th century.

Today, Keds has a myriad of fun, fresh styles from the classic champion sneaker and sportier sneakers, to ballet flats and wedges. The future for Keds will continue to bring fashionable styles that are stylish and sophisticated and that have innovative advancements in performance, materials and prints.