The possibilities of Evofit One, covering from the city to nature.
The active season has arrived. People wearing T-shirts and shorts are a common sight on the streets, and social networking sites are filled with images of people enjoying outdoor activities such as festivals and camping. The new model "EVOFIT ONE" released by KEEN is a sandal that can be used in both urban life and outdoor activities. The urban design with knit upper, removable insole, and familiar comfort are of course still there. We asked Kazuhiko Kai, director of "BAMBOO SHOOTS," and Tadanao Matsuo, buyer of "JOURNAL STANDARD relume," to inspect this item. What are the possibilities of "evofit one"?
Director of Bamboo Shoot, a long-established select store in Nakameguro. He is also known as an opinion leader in outdoor fashion, and his buying and collaborative work always attracts attention from inside and outside of the industry. He has worked closely with Keane for the past eight years, arranging colors for their in-line models.
Tadanao Matsuo / Buyer, JOURNAL STANDARD relume
He is a veteran staff member of Journal Standard Relume, and is a buyer for the brand, armed with a wealth of knowledge. He enjoys outdoor activities such as trekking and camping, and is well known as an expert in these fields. Based on his own experiences, he will talk about "Evofit One" from both the fashion and outdoor perspectives.
They are new, easy to wear, and "MADE IN USA".
Are the two of you acquainted with each other?
resultYes, there is. It's interesting that you and Matsukchan are having a conversation.
pine coneThere has never been anything like that before, has there?
resultI don't have it, I'm afraid. I even talk about it in bars (laughs).
So, you are a close friend. First of all, what were your first impressions of the new Keen sandals "Evofit One" when you saw them for the first time?
pine coneI thought that knit-upper sandals were very innovative. Moreover, most items using such technical materials are manufactured in Asia, but these were made in the United States. That was very shocking to me.
resultOh! You're looking where you should be looking (laughs).
pine coneThat's true (laughs).
What was your first impression of Mr. Kai?
resultI thought they were simply easy to wear.
pine coneThey are easy to put on and take off. I thought they might be too tight because they are knit, but they go on very easily.
resultAlso, the insoles come off, so they can be washed and don't smell (laughs).
pine coneIt is nice that the insoles can be removed and washed entirely.
resultYes, yes. Also, as Matsukchan mentioned, the fact that it is made in the U.S. is a very high point.
Both of you have a special feeling for "made in the USA", don't you?
pine coneYes, I do. I have a feeling that "it would be better if it were made in the U.S.A. anyway. Nowadays, however, I don't have such high expectations because production in Asia has become the norm. That's why I am very happy when I find a "made in the U.S.A." label. Especially when it is a new item like this, it makes me even happier.
resultI can feel the enthusiasm of the brand. Keane's American-made items are very comfortable to wear.
Anyway, I like the fact that it is user-oriented.
What kind of image do you two have of the Keane brand?
resultI have been producing models with my own color arrangements every season for the past eight years or so. The brand has become so familiar to me that I can't really look at it objectively (laughs). (laughs) But I have the image that it goes great with festivals! I have an image of it as being a great match for festivals. Even with the "UNEEK" models that came out a few years ago, they are releasing new models one after another, and I think they are great because you can wear them around town as well.
pine coneRecently, "Keane" has become easy, in a good sense of the word. It has become very easy to approach. I originally had an image of American flamboyance, but recently it has changed to a sharp impression.
resultYes, it was very outdoorsy until a few years ago, but it has become very sophisticated since they started releasing innovative items.
pine coneBut that doesn't mean we neglect our roots in the outdoors. At first glance, the "Evofit One" looks like an urban design, but it looks like you could wear it camping, and you can imagine all kinds of ways to use it.
resultSomething like this is just about right these days.
As a user of Keen products, not only the Evofit One, what do you find attractive about Keen's products?
resultAt any rate, all models are very comfortable to wear. My feet are high in the instep and wide, but they are comfortable because they do not constrict my feet too much. Also, "Keen" shoes are easy to handle. Even if they get dirty, they are easy to wash. They are just so easy to wear.
pine coneI love the "Waimea H2" model, which has a toe guard to prevent damage to the toes. So I feel secure even when I go to a riverside where there are rocks strewn about, and of course I can use them in town, too.
I want items that don't hurt my feet and are fresh for the summer.
How do you two view the footwear situation this summer?
resultI think all the models have been familiar to me for a long time, and I don't think they are very fresh.
pine coneIt is true that "sposans" have been popular for the past few years, but I don't feel that they are fresh anymore. But on the other hand, they are also a selling item in our store. Many people have heard of sports sandals for a long time but have yet to get their hands on them. So, as a store, we would like to offer new suggestions while keeping the standard of "sports sandals.
resultIn that sense, I am glad that Keen is releasing the Evo Fit One. Some models have been around for a long time, but when a new model like this is released, it brings back freshness.
pine coneWhether it's sneakers or sandals, as the weather gets warmer, people are looking for comfort in their feet, and especially in the summer, items that don't hurt their feet and are still fresh are good. That's why "Evofit One" is so good.
He said the emergence of "Evofit One" was significant.
resultI think they are very good for street wear. The design is innovative, like a sports brand item, and the ruggedness and smartness are in good harmony, making it easy to handle as a fashion item.
Yes, it does have a very high-tech feel.
resultIt is interesting that an outdoor brand would produce sandals with such a high-tech design (laughs). I feel the sense of an American brand.
pine coneIt's unique in that it gives a different impression depending on the color. White and black are urban, while coyote and gray are outdoorsy. Khaki is right in the middle.
In shoes, voluminous items such as dud sneakers are gaining popularity. Do you think such items will be sought after in sandals as well?
pine coneI think there is a trend toward this. I feel that items that wrap you in something are in vogue these days. Wearing "Evofit One" with that kind of image is one way to do it.
EVOFIT ONE For The City Style
From BAMBOO SHOOTS
Keen] Evo Fit One ¥15,000+TAX, [Bamboushoot] Open Collar Shirt ¥14,000+TAX, [Bamboushoot] Football T ¥9,500+TAX, [Zacpac] Shoulder Bag ¥9,000+TAX, BAMBOOSHOOT] pants ¥15,500+TAX, [BAMBOOSHOOT] hat ¥7,000+TAX (all at BAMBOOSHOOT 03-5720-1677)
I thought the right way to wear this item would be to match it with a casual outfit without worrying about anything, so I decided on a basic combination of a plaid shirt, T-shirt, and my favorite baker pants. Since the clothes are as usual, I think the eyes will naturally gravitate to the feet (laughs).
From JOURNAL STANDARD relume
Keen] Evo Fit One ¥15,000+TAX, [Rainspooner x Journal Standard Relume] shirt ¥15,000+TAX, [Sovereign x Journal Standard Relume] T-shirt ¥6,500+TAX, [Journal Standard Relume] pants ¥10,000+TAX, [Willy Chavarria x Journal Standard Relume] cap ¥7,400+TAX. Willy Chavarria x JOURNAL STANDARD RELUEME ¥10,000+TAX, Willie Chavarria x JOURNAL STANDARD RELUEME ¥7,400+TAX (all at JOURNAL STANDARD RELUEME Omotesando, 03-6438-0401)
I think patterned shirts will be even more popular this year than last, so I coordinated my look around aloha shirts, with T-shirts and bottoms that are easy and relaxed, and only my feet stand out with a slightly high-tech feel.
The playful, non-powerful feel is just right for camping and festivals.
On the other hand, I would like to mention the possibility of "Evofit One" in the outdoor scene.
pine coneI have been climbing mountains more and more. I climb mountains in spring, summer, and fall, and snowboard in winter. I am in the mountains in all seasons. Also, camping has always been my favorite.
resultRecently, I finally got to go to the mountains. Now that my children are older, I can go with them not only to low mountains, but also to slightly higher ones.
How do you think "Evofit One" would work in an outdoor setting?
resultAs you can imagine, they are not suitable for strenuous activities, but it would be good to wear these on the way to the mountain or to rest your feet after descending the mountain.
pine coneI feel the same way. I like to wear these comfortable items before and after activities because they are not so tight.
resultAnd then there's camping.
pine coneYes, they are. I think they are great for camping because they are easy to take off and put on. I could walk around in them with the heels on. It would be good to wear them when flying. They don't seem to hurt when my feet expand.
resultAlso, Fuji Rock. It feels good to wear Keen at festivals like Fuji Rock and Asagiri Jam.
Do you mean a natural festival?
resultIt's one thing to simply go with nature, but there's more to it than that. It fits with festivals, and everyone at Fuji Rock and Asagiri is having fun while enjoying fashion, right? They wear tie-dyed clothes and band T-shirts that they wouldn't normally wear. Keen" is the perfect footwear for these occasions.
pine coneI like the looseness rather than the stoic stiff gear. So I feel like it goes well with that kind of situation. I think the playful, unforced feeling is just right. That kind of gear is hard to find, so I feel that Keen is unique among outdoor footwear brands, in a good way.
resultAlso, "EvoFit One" can be washed in its entirety, which is a big plus. You can remove the insole and wash it.
EVOFIT ONE For The Outdoor Style
From BAMBOO SHOOTS
Keen] Evofit One ¥15,000+TAX, [Marmot x Bumbershoot] T-shirt ¥5,000+TAX, [Northwest Alpine] Shell jacket ¥78,000+TAX, [Trailbum] Sakosh ¥3,200+TAX shorts ¥9,800+TAX, Trailbum back-a-pack ¥8,400+TAX (all at Bamboo Shoot 03-5720-1677)
I put together a coordinated outfit for a summer hiking trip. I imagined changing shoes while hiking. I'm not good at using loud colors for outdoor gear, so I kept the color scheme subdued. I kept everything but the pants in a uniform gray color scheme.
From JOURNAL STANDARD relume
Keen] Evo Fit One ¥15,000+TAX, [Snow Peak x Journal Standard Relume] T-shirt ¥14,000+TAX, [Goodwear x Journal Standard Relume] T-shirt ¥5,500+TAX, [Rocks x shorts ¥9,800+TAX, [F.C.E. x JOURNAL STANDARD RELUEME] Sakosh ¥6,800+TAX (all at JOURNAL STANDARD RELUEME Omotesando store 03-6438-0401)
This coordinate is designed for camping. Since we often get wet, I combined everything except for the T-shirt with functional materials. The colors are all warm, but I used a black sacoche and 'Evofit One' to tie it all together.
In general, what do you think of "Evofit One"?
Finally, how does the newly released "Evofit One" look in your eyes?
resultThis design is very new. That's the biggest attraction.
pine coneThey are easy to wear, soft and comfortable, and easy to care for. They are also easy to care for, which is what makes them so appealing. And with these technical looks and the added value of being made in the U.S.A., I think this is an item that will tickle the fancy of those who love clothes. I recommend them!
Keane presents this year's summer blockbuster!
EVOFIT ONE ¥15,000+TAX
The EvoFit One is the world's first sandal to incorporate knit material in the upper. The density of the knitted material is changed to match the shape of the foot, and ventilation holes are also incorporated to achieve an excellent fit and comfort. The footbed is removable, so it is possible to wash the entire footbed. The outsole has a high grip and cushioning performance. It is also important to note that the shoes are made at the company's own factory in Portland, USA. The new pair of shoes from Keen, which combines high functionality with a technical look, promises to be an excellent choice for both urban life and the outdoors.
