Hello, nice to meet you! I'm Umatan, a former outdoor store employee
I usually introduce outdoor brand items that can be used for everyday wear on a website called Umaburo ( https://umaburo.com/
In this article, I would like to introduce my top picks from the new 2020 items offered by Keen and Merrell, two brands I worked on extensively during my time as an outdoor store clerk
I hope that you will also learn about the greatness of the Keen and Merrell brands
table of contents
What kind of brand is KEEN?
First, let's take a look at Keen!
KEEN is a new brand that was launched in Oregon, USA in 2003! It's only been around for about 15 years! Compared to Merrell, it's a fairly new brand!
Newport, which was launched at the same time as the company's founding, created a new sandal market and was a huge hit. Since then, the company has continued to develop a wide range of trekking shoes and comfort shoes
Recently, they released the innovative sandal called Unique, which was also a huge hit! They continue to make great strides without forgetting their spirit of challenge!
Keen is known for sandals such as the Newport and Unique, but they also have some very attractive trekking shoes and comfort shoes!
Keen's recommended shoes for 2020 are Jasper 2
Keen's recommended shoe is the "JASPER Ⅱ WP (Jasper Two Waterproof)" which was released in the fall of 2020!
"JASPER" is a popular shoe that has been around for over 15 years!
It has been loved by many people as a versatile outdoor sneaker that can be used in a variety of situations such as camping and festivals!
Even when I was working at an outdoor store, Jasper shoes were a steady seller all year round! We also had many repeat customers, which shows how comfortable they are!
Now, Jasper has finally released "JASPER Ⅱ WP (Jasper Two Waterproof)"!
The appeal of Jasper 2
The appeal of Jasper 2 is its versatility, which means it can be used in a variety of situations!
The shoes are made with KEEN's proprietary waterproof and breathable material, "KEEN.DRY," and the outsole has also been changed to a lug pattern that makes them less slippery on wet surfaces, so you can wear them with confidence even on rainy days!
The shoes also retain the comfort that was the appeal of Jasper! My impression after trying them out was that they fit my feet well!
Jasper also comes in a wide variety of colors and comes with replacement laces, so finding your own style is one of the joys of Jasper! Give it a try!
Jasper 2 concerns
One thing that concerns me about the Jasper 2 is that it has a low instep.The
width can be adjusted quite a bit by adjusting the laces, but it's important to note that it's difficult to adjust the instep!
Many outdoor store staff also commented that the instep is tight and difficult to put on, so be sure to pay attention to the size when purchasing!
What kind of brand is MERRELL?
Merrell was founded in 1981 and has a history of nearly 40 years. It's a brand with a much longer history than Keen!
At the time, work boots such as the Leather Wilderness were famous, but the Jungle Moc, which was released in 1998, was a huge hit
They surprised the world by introducing laceless mock shoes that overturned the traditional concept of shoes
It's not a shoe without laces! It's impossible!
Other brands that had said the same thing also began to follow suit and offer mock-up types
After that, while establishing its position as a manufacturer of comfort shoes, the company also expanded into popular, extremely comfortable work boots and trekking shoes, which it had been making since its founding
It has now become one of the leading brands among the many outdoor shoe manufacturers
As it is an outdoor brand, many of their shoes have plain designs, but recently they have also started to release relatively stylish sneakers for young people!
Merrell's recommended shoes for 2020 are the Chameleon 8 Storm
CHAMELLEON 8 STORM GORE-TEX" will be released in spring 2020 !
The latest addition to Merrell's popular Chameleon Storm series!
As the name "Chameleon" suggests, these shoes are highly versatile and can be used in any environment, from flat city streets to rugged mountain trails!
Even as a former outdoor store employee, I think that Chameleon Storm is a popular shoe, with at least one person wearing it on the train! The design is also very trekking-esque
Another point is that it doesn't have any noise!
The appeal of Chameleon 8 Storm
First, let me explain "Any Path."
It uses Vibram's latest outsole, the " Vibram XS Trek Evo Outsole
When I actually tried them on, I felt like there was a wall between my feet and the ground!
It's great for walking steadily and comfortably even on rough and rugged roads!
Next, we will explain "Whatever the weather."
It is equipped with a GORE-TEX waterproof membrane, so it is completely waterproof even when submerged in water
The rugged mesh upper is made of durable and water-resistant mesh material
So far, a lot of people have said about the Chameleon Storm that the upper material has worn and torn, so it's no longer completely waterproof!
In this regard, the Chameleon 8 Storm has been strengthened and has evolved into a shoe that can handle any weather!
Chameleon Storm's concerns
Now, let's take a look at some of the concerns about the Chameleon 8 Storm
The key point is "weight"!
When I put them on, they fit my feet well and gave me a sense of stability, but when I lifted my feet I felt they were heavier than regular sneakers!
So, when you first put them on, it's a good idea to get used to them by walking along nearby paths before attempting trekking!
summary
This concludes the introduction of recommended shoes from Keen and Merrell for 2020 from a former outdoor store employee!
Both shoes are versatile and can be worn for both trekking and everyday use!
With just one pair of these, you can go anywhere, so be sure to give them a try!
Article author: Umatan
Former outdoor goods store clerk. Mainly deals in outdoor items for town use and water activities. Runs Umablo | Choitodoor, a media outlet that provides information to help people feel a little closer to the outdoors
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