The Rise of Hiking Shoes and Gorpcore

Hiking shoes and other outdoorsy footwear have made their way into the wardrobes of discerning, tote-bag-sporting fashionistas, even after the resurgence of the so-called "Gorpcore" aesthetic.

The fashion subculture known as "Gorpcore"—short for "Good ol' raisins and peanuts," referencing the hiking food staple trail mix—evokes functionality and comfort alongside effortless style. 

“I like these shoes because they are pairs I can go off the grid with, and I know that if a zombie apocalypse were to happen, I wouldn’t be worried about my footwear," said Aaron Sy, a business journalist who wears hiking shoes from Salomon and Keen when he’s not at work. “I’m not concerned about ruining the shoes if I step into a puddle or that I'll slip if I go hiking."

In the past year, robust mountaineering trainers and shoes like the Salomon XT-6 have bridged the world's trail running and hiking and street fashion, and even fashion shows in Milan.

Another prominent player in this hiking shoe-streetwear space is Nike with its All Conditions Gear Gore-Tex sneakers, which elevate any outfit with a rugged flair.

Hiking shoes, initially intended for professional and enthusiast mountain climbers, are spreading like wildfire as they have invaded both menswear and general fashion metas. While hardly a new fashion trend, Gorpcore pieces are still persistently in style this year.

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What It Means To Go Gorpcore

Hollywood stars like Robert Pattinson and Jacob Elordi have often been spotted sporting these outdoorsy sneakers. They fuse elements of durability, tech-age appeal, and versatility.

Gorpcore involves much more than just these chunky or even sleek iterations of these trail running sneakers. The term was coined by journalist Jason Chen in his 2017 piece for The Cut.

The whole style ethos being preached here involves the aforementioned hiking shoes, running shoes, cargo pants, compression layers, fleece garments, waterproof jackets, and nylon bags. Going camping is the name of the game.

Hiking gear and even rock climbing brands like Patagonia are appropriate staples for menswear since most guys lean toward comfort and functionality for everyday casual wear.

The Gorpcore lineup also includes hiking boots, waterproof sneakers, and chunky running shoes outfitted with waterproof Gore-Tex material.

The ethos comes down to a style that strips down boots and trainers that were made for endurance hiking and walking, into footwear that looks pretty darn good on both the street and on fashion moodboards.

You would think these so-called Gorpcore pieces would stick out like a sore thumb during your evening plans and shindigs, but you would be surprised. These shoes also come in bold and eye-popping colors that would also suit any urban setting you throw at them.

Pairing them should be as easy as picking tech-centric cargo pants in pastel and a lightweight fleece vest (and a trail mix bar in one of their endless pockets if you get hungry).

You could also get yourself puffer jackets from brands like the North Face and mountaineering brand Mammut to keep with the Gorpcore image.

The beauty in investing in a pair of these types of footwear is that they are likely to last you a lifetime if you primarilly use these casually on the street or for whatever non-thrill seeking function you go to.

Some Gorpcore Outdoorsy Picks For A Rugged Flair

1| Salomon XT-6

These shoes are the epitome of how Gorpcore has crossed the mainstream with many celebrities and other fashion influencers rocking these trail-blazing runners. More than a handful of A-listers and consequent fashion-icons like Rihanna and Bella Hadid have been seen taking the streets in these kicks meant for adventurous folk. The Salomon brand, which was founded in 1947, initially made skii boots and entered into hiking in 1979.

The shoe has also made its way to Paris runways and Milan fashion showcases over the years. These sleek trainers go for about P12,290 on retail. Salomon has also had tie-ups with prominent fashion brands such as Comme des Garçons, and Palace.

The French footwear brand was born in the French Alps and has made their mark on the fashion scene with a tapestry of eye-popping colorways, and technical accoutrements on trainers that would surely turn heads. 

You will not be able to walk the streets of Bonifacio Global City or Makati without spotting at least one pair of the XT-6s or some other Salomon model.

These have skyrocketed in popularity after megastars such as Kylie Jenner, Emily Ratajkowski, and the aforementioned Bella Hadid wore them in public. This year, the brand was recognized as the fastest-growing sneaker brand on the popular streetwear resale platform StockX, following the hype associated with the XT-6s.

These stylish trail runners, which were one of the main drivers for writing this piece, are not showing any signs of slowing down in popularity due to their bold design choices that still veer away from gaudiness.

2| KEEN Jasper

Keen's work in the outdoor world and even in fashion trends over the years traces its roots back to Portland, Oregon, in 2003, when the brand aimed to fuse nature and style in its climbing shoes. The Jasper, first introduced 17 years ago, remains an iconic shoe that blends the classic silhouette of a mountaineering trainer with a shoe fit for an urban lifestyle. The low-profile hiking sneaker provides a comfortable fit while maintaining the versatility of casual footwear. The Keen brand has become known as an understated gorpcore staple and a good gateway to technical clothing. The Jaspers retail for about P7,490.

3| La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Gore-Tex

La Sportiva, a brand primarily known for its bouldering and mountain-climbing shoes, embodies the fusion of robustness and laid-back aesthetic that Gorpcore chases with its Ultra Raptor Gore-Tex trail runner in black. The shoe also comes in a variant made from Nubuck leather, designed to withstand off-road terrain and mountain walks over long distances while being breathable and waterproof due to Gore-Tex technology. These sell for around P12,305 locally.