If you've been sleeping on KEEN's outdoor-rooted footwear, this might be the collab that changes that. KEEN has teamed up with Korean design label OPEN YY for their first-ever collaborative collection, and the result is a rework of the ZERRAPORT II that feels genuinely fresh without losing what made the silhouette worth wearing in the first place.
Two very different worlds, one solid shoe
The partnership is interesting precisely because of the contrast it brings together. KEEN has built its reputation on technical, function-first design - the kind of footwear that's built to actually do something outdoors. OPEN YY, on the other hand, brings a sharper eye for shape, styling, and creative reinterpretation. According to Hypebeast, the collaboration merges these two distinct design languages into something that works on both levels.
The ZERRAPORT II arrives in two colorways - red and khaki - with rocky canyon landscapes serving as the visual and textural reference point. It's a fitting inspiration for a shoe that sits at the crossroads of trail-ready utility and considered streetwear aesthetics.
Why it matters beyond the hype
Outdoor-meets-urban footwear has had a long run in the trend cycle, but what keeps it relevant is when the collaboration actually respects the original product's DNA. This one seems to do that. Rather than slapping a logo on a heritage silhouette and calling it a day, OPEN YY appears to have genuinely engaged with what the ZERRAPORT II is built to do - and then dressed it up accordingly.
For anyone who's wanted a shoe that can handle a weekend hike and still look intentional on a Sunday brunch walk, this kind of release hits a sweet spot that's hard to find.
Where and when to get them
The collection is already available through OPEN YY now, with KEEN's own release set for May 15. Pricing sits at ₩189,000 KRW, which works out to roughly $130 USD - a reasonable ask for a collaborative release with this much considered design behind it.
If the khaki colorway feels too subdued for your taste, the red option offers a bolder take on the same canyon-textured aesthetic. Either way, this debut partnership signals that both brands are worth watching as they figure out what else they can build together.
