My wardrobe has long been shaped by British style influencers, but one recent scroll through Instagram sent me down an unexpected rabbit hole. The culprit was Lucy Williams, the London-based tastemaker whose relaxed, slightly rugged aesthetic I’ve tried (and failed) to perfectly emulate for years.

In a carousel from her trip to Japan, my eye skipped past the temples and neon streets and landed squarely on her feet: a pair of lace-up Keen Jasper sneakers. They looked like the love child of a hiking shoe and a minimalist trainer—chunky enough to feel practical, streamlined enough to work with a city uniform of jeans and a sweater.

I’ve been loyal to Salomon for seasons, relying on their trail-inspired silhouettes to toughen up floaty dresses and tailored trousers. But something about the Keen Jaspers felt different. They had a slightly retro, climbing-gym energy, with suede uppers and contrast laces that made them feel more considered than purely technical. They looked like the kind of sneaker you could wear on a long walk through the countryside, then straight to a pub without feeling underdressed.

Of course, once I decided I needed a pair, the hunt began. Keen’s Jaspers have quietly developed a cult following, and tracking down the right colorway turned into a minor obsession. Certain combinations—earthy browns with bright laces, soft neutrals with unexpected pops of color—vanish almost as soon as they’re restocked. I found myself refreshing retailer pages, toggling between sizes, and mentally styling each option with pieces I already own.

What makes them so compelling is their versatility. They ground a cashmere sweater and classic jeans, add a utilitarian twist to a slip skirt, and work just as well with tailored trousers as they do with cargo pants. They’re practical without feeling purely functional, and they bring a subtle outdoorsy edge to everyday outfits.

Somewhere between the third restock alert and finally securing my size, I realized these sneakers had done the unthinkable: they’d rivaled my devotion to Salomon. Influenced by a British style star, discovered via a casual scroll, and now firmly in my regular rotation, the Keen Jasper has become the shoe I reach for when I want comfort, character, and just a hint of that effortless London cool.