The Jasper Family: Where Climbing Culture Hits the City

The Portland-born footwear brand KEEN carries climbing DNA at its core. Known for its outdoor shoes, two innovative designs have made their way onto urban streets worldwide. The Jasper and its recent addition, the Jasper Zionic, prove that a climbing shoe can evolve into a city essential. Today, these sneakers have established their place in street style, as naturally chic and comfortable on the streets of Berlin, in cafés, or at festivals as they are on hikes and travels.

While the Jasper has been an iconic lifestyle and outdoor shoe for 17 years, the Jasper Zionic represents its evolution into a lightweight performance hybrid. Blending street-ready style with off-road capability, it was first introduced for men last year and has been available for women since the beginning of this year. The Jasper Zionic carries the Jasper’s climbing heritage, including its signature tongue-to-toe lacing, while adding greater agility, lightness, and enhanced traction and stability for tougher terrain.

On top of that, KEEN also drew inspiration from its archives. Details like the flower on the heel reference the Carver climbing shoe from 2008, while rope-inspired lacing and protective construction highlight the Jasper’s climbing roots.

But the Jasper family isn’t just visually appealing – it also stands out for its sustainability. Made with leather from tanneries certified by the Leather Working Group (LWG) and designed completely free from PFAS and antimicrobial chemicals, it reflects KEEN’s commitment to eco-conscious production. Its hybrid design means one shoe covers both city and outdoor use, delivering versatility and reducing the need for an extra pair. The result is a sneaker built to keep pace with the mobility of modern life.

How important it is to stand with both feet firmly on the ground in Berlins streets and on long days of film shoots knows Zoe Fürmann well. So no wonder that the German actress chooses KEEN sneaker to carry her through the day. Like KEEN shoes, her path has been about growth without losing her roots. Acting wasn’t part of her plan until a chance audition put her on set. With her breakout role in 22 Bahnen, she found her rhythm, where Zoe and the Jasper truly meet. In our conversation, she shares her journey into acting, her rise with 22 Bahnen, and how her personal style aligns with KEEN’s versatile designs.

SLEEK You are a very talented actress. What inspired you to start acting?

Zoe Fürmann I’ve always loved film and acting was always something that intrigued me, but I didn’t grow up thinking I would become an actress or anything. For a long time I had this idea that you had to be a certain type of person to be an actor – super confident and expressive and hyper creative – and I just didn’t think I fit that mold. In the end, my acting career kind of started by chance when a family friend encouraged me to audition for a TV show and I ended up getting the part. Once we started shooting, I fell in love with the way it made me feel to step into a character. It’s become such a wonderful outlet for me and I’ve realized since then that actors really come in all shapes and forms. Now I’m just really grateful that this path opened up for me. 

SLEEK How does the fusion of KEEN’s urban style and sportiness influence your own personal style?

ZF I like to wear shoes and clothes that are really versatile and work for different kinds of activities I do throughout the day. What I like about KEEN shoes is that you can run errands in them or go for a walk in nature but they also look good for hanging out with friends or going to casual events. That means you don’t have to change looks when you switch between different activities. Personally, I love feeling like I’m ready for anything when I leave my house

SLEEK In 22 Bahnen, adapted from Caroline Wahl’s bestseller, you play the best friend of the main character, supporting her through a very difficult phase – what was it like to portray this role? 

ZF The task I set for myself in playing Marlene was to show that, while she can sometimes seem a bit out of touch with Tilda’s reality and what she’s going through, she also has a really big heart and genuinely cares about her. I wanted to embrace her complexity and make sure she didn’t come across as unlikeable. To me, she’s someone who pushes darkness and heaviness out of her life by being loud, over-the-top, and always chasing the next thrill. She covers up her own vulnerabilities as a kind of defense mechanism. That means she isn’t always the friend Tilda needs, but I hope audiences can still feel the warmth and love she carries within her. 

SLEEK How important is it for you to combine style and sportiness, and how do your shoes fit into your look?

ZF I love to feel comfortable and look good at the same time, so I like clothes that are practical and sporty but still have personality. I also love blending more athletic items like sneakers or windbreakers with more urban and preppy pieces. For me, good shoes are really the key to comfort, but they can also add a fun vibe, like a pop of color, that makes the whole outfit more interesting. Even though I love a good pair of heels for a special occasion, in my day-to-day I always go for something that’s both stylish and comfortable.

Credits: 

Photography: Maximilian Marx

Talent: Zoe Fürmann @graceissey

Creative Production: Johanna Erdl, Claude Gerber – Cheers Creative Agency

Styling: Maya Lu

Hair & Make-Up: Olivia Nwachukwu

Styling Assistant: Wiktoria Okuniewska