The KEEN Jasper Zionic Is For Hikers In Oregon And Stylists In New York
In Collaboration WithKEEN
For over two decades, KEEN has been on a mission to blend function with style, turning what began as a simple sandal concept from the early 2000s into a powerhouse in the outdoor footwear world. Known for relentless innovation, the Oregon-based brand is a testament to the belief that shoes can be both practical and stylish – a philosophy that’s kept the brand at the forefront of the “gorpcore” wave in recent years.
Take the Jasper, a casual, climbing-inspired shoe that quickly became a favorite among both outdoor enthusiasts and style-focused trendsetters. It’s the kind of shoe that bridges worlds, attracting everyone from nature lovers to the fashion-savvy. Now, KEEN is taking things up a notch with the all-new Jasper Zionic, a hybrid that fuses the comfort and fit of the original Jasper with the rugged sole of the Zionic hiking boot. It’s a shoe designed for every adventure, whether you’re hitting the trails or city streets.
The Jasper Zionic builds on the classic Jasper’s legacy, bringing in modern technical touches like a more angular sole and streamlined upper, while keeping the round profile and single-toned suede that consumers love. It’s a sleek, versatile update that shows KEEN’s commitment to evolving without losing sight of what made them great in the first place.
Sure, KEEN’s been in the spotlight recently thanks to collaborations with ONLY NY while being spotted on celebs like Lisa of BLACKPINK, but the brand’s real strength goes deeper than that. In an era where outdoor shoes are embraced by a broad audience, KEEN remains grounded in quality and functionality. The Jasper Zionic isn’t just about riding current trends – it’s a continuation of the brand’s tradition of excellence. When you make something exceptional, people notice. With the Jasper Zionic, KEEN proves that they’re not just keeping up with outdoor shoe trends, but leading them just as they’ve always done.
Victor Suarez is an NYC-based wardrobe image consultant who works intensively with some of the biggest names in sport and fashion, including Tyrod Taylor of the New York Jets, BMX rider Nigel Sylvester, and rapper/actor Dave East. We caught up with Victor to discuss his come up, the new Jasper Zionic, and KEEN’s place in today’s footwear industry. Read the full Q&A below.
The Jasper Zionic builds on the classic Jasper’s legacy
How does a New Yorker end up as a stylist for one of the best dressed athletes in the NFL?
I grew up on 1990s fashion so that’s always what I’ve gravitated to for work. I worked at a few different streetwear stores in New York before becoming a wardrobe image consultant with Dexter Robinson in 2022. We style game day looks for NFL and NBA players and get them ready for events throughout the year, anything they need help with. One of our main clients is Tyrod Taylor of the New York Jets, who was just named one of the league’s best dressed players. We manage his clothing line called Diallo, which is his middle name. I’m a bit of a brand manager but also help on the creative side, everything down to shipping orders.
Being from NY, what are your thoughts on the gorp-core trend since you’re basically in city settings?
It’s the exact aesthetic I wanted as a kid. Growing up in New York City, down jackets and other functional clothes and shoes were always the biggest thing. Now I can dress like that with even better, revamped technology. Nowadays I think people are starting to prioritize comfort and utility, so I think it makes sense that “gorpcore” is taking off.
From personal experience, I was living in Miami when the pandemic hit and was looking for something that I could wear to the beach or for hiking. KEEN is one of the brands I stumbled on because they fit exactly what I was looking for. As a stylist I basically live in stores, so I picked up a pair of KEEN UNEEK sandals while I was thrifting. I was geeking because I was like, “Does this person now know what he has right here?” That’s where I capitalize.
Being a stylist means you have to be ahead of the curve, right?
Absolutely. I wore the Jasper Zionics the other day and ran into some people by my old job in SoHo. People did double takes and asked, “Yo, what are those?”
I had a friend come over, see them by the door, put them on, and say, “These are crazy. I need a pair.” When I posted them, people were hitting me up in the DMs, asking, “What are these? Where can I get them? I don’t see them on the website.” I had to tell them to wait a month or two before they came out. As a stylist, this happens more often than not, especially in NYC so I always appreciate when I can get my hands on items early.
KEEN is huge in Asia. We tend to see overseas street style influence fashion here in the states. Is that something you consider in your day to day?
They’ve definitely made a huge impact on street fashion over there. A lot of countries are more focused on longevity and versatility, and I think we’re slowly starting to see those same priorities come to life here in the states. In Japan, people will pay $1,000 for raw selvedge denim because they know they’ll wear it for the next 10-15 years. KEEN is definitely a brand like that, where when you buy their shoes, you know they’ll keep up for a long time.
A lot of brands change things up in order to capitalize on trends. When you’re picking out clothes and footwear, how important is authenticity?
When a brand does something that’s new but not forced, that’s the best. You want a brand to keep the fundamental principles of what made it cool in the first place. When you get a product that feels like a natural evolution of a brand, it appeals to both new and old audiences.
