• Men's Fashion

Why Everybody Is Loving Keen’s Zionic Jasper

The success of Keen’s Zionic Jasper isn’t surprising. The signs were there. But that doesn’t make the sneaker any less impressive. In fact, even the snobbiest sneakerhead would be hard-pressed to find fault with this hiking hybrid.

It helps that the Zionic arrived with a little pedigree. Its popular predecessor, the original Jasper, had already been making noise in the sneaker sphere. First released in 2008, it established itself as something of a cult favorite. Not just a hit with outdoor enthusiasts, it managed to win over editors, influencers, and blokes who wouldn’t know a trail marker from a parking sign.

The latest iteration takes that familiar climbing-shoe-inspired upper, with its chunky, comforting construction and toe-to-tongue lacing, and gives it a more high-traction hiking sole with 4mm multi-directional lugs. There’s also a stability shank to keep you steady and a resilient foam insole with arch support.

It’s a fairly straightforward formula, but a rather effective one. Wearers, which now include Harry Styles and Zoë Kravitz, are essentially getting all the character of the original, with a little more underfoot.

And therein lies much of its appeal. You don’t need to know your switchbacks from your singletrack to appreciate it. The Zionic is just as likely to be spotted on city dwellers riding the subway as it is on someone hiking the Appalachians.

It taps into that growing appetite for outdoor-inspired footwear that looks the part, even if your idea of adventure rarely extends beyond finding a new lunch spot. It’s a little gorpcore with decidedly everyday ambitions. And it’s definitely a welcome departure from the endless rotation of retro running shoes.

As for styling? The versatile sneaker, now available in over 10 designs, is just as at home with barrel leg jeans and a wool sweater as it is with cargo pants and a windbreaker.

Below are three pairs worth investing in:

SAFARI/SKY CAPTAIN

A natural, earthy colorway that’s given a welcome injection of personality thanks to those contrasting red laces. They’re easy to work into your existing rotation, although there’s a good chance they’ll become the pair you reach for most.

JAVA/BLACK

A personal favorite. The shaggy suede upper gives them a little extra character, elevating an otherwise understated option. Versatile enough to work with just about anything, they’re the sort of everyday sneaker you’ll wonder how you managed without.

MAGNET/STEEL GREY

For the monochrome-minded and minimalists among us. The muted grey palette gives them a slightly smarter feel than some of their counterparts. They’ll be just as comfortable alongside your weekday wardrobe as they are on a weekend wander.

Billy Webb

Billy is a fashion writer with over 15 years’ experience in the industry. His work has appeared in British GQ, Esquire, Men’s Health and more, covering menswear, grooming and style. When he’s not obsessing over shoes, he likes being outdoors, preferably with a good book in hand.