In 2019, you can expect to see "hiking- and outdoor activity-inspired sneakers with rugged soles, bungee cords, and technical performance details like waterproofing," says Rachael Wang, a stylist and brand consultant who's worked with Kendall Jenner, Chloe Sevigny, and Julia Roberts, as well as brands like Fila, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nike and Opening Ceremony.
The trail-inspired shoe, in particular, shows just how deep the wellness world’s impact on style runs. More women than ever are embracing active lifestyles, and as a result, more fashion brands are focusing on functional design that isn’t just for show but for sport, too. It’s given way to a style of dressing called gorpcore (gorp being another name for "good old raisins and peanuts" trail mix), that’s inspired by the types of clothing you’d wear to go hiking, camping, or forest bathing. Think: anorak jackets, fleece vests, and yes, trail and hiking shoes. These utilitarian items are being paired with everything from leggings to jeans to dresses, both on runways and in real life.
Think: anorak jackets, fleece vests, and yes, trail and hiking shoes. They're being paired with everything from leggings to jeans to dresses, both on runways and in real life.
To see the impact gorpcore will have on sneaks in 2019, one need look no further than Balenciaga’s newly released Track Trainer, a chunky-soled hiking shoe that features exaggerated tread, cord lacing, and bold colorways. Acne Studios also introduced a trail shoe for its SS19 women’s collection, featuring a similar hiking silhouette but with velcro straps, bungee cords, and even bigger grippy molding around the toe mound and heel. Following its presentation in Paris, the Swedish label called its runway show “a collection of fit and fluidity, with garments worn for function, expression, and pleasure.” And, in a cycle so famously immortalized in The Devil Wears Prada, where the designer brands go, the fashion mainstream will follow—cue, gorpcore sneakers hitting your favorite chain clothing store soon.
Nike is a gorpcore pioneer, and actually designed its first “all-conditions gear” (or ACG) collection in 1989 (!), but continues to create new collections in this category every season. Its current offerings tick all the boxes Wang says will be in demand in 2019: “Earth tone colors with pops of red or yellow details.” They feature rugged soles and (ahem) tread into boot territory, hitting slightly above the ankle. Recently, Tinker Hatfield, who helped launch ACG and is responsible for some of Nike’s most famous sneaker designs (Air Max, Air Jordan), reflected on what inspired the project: “Ultimately, it was the adventurous people trying to have fun in the outdoors that helped push us into this space,” he says. “It was really this idea of being outdoors, having fun, and testing your limits.”
That retro ideal is resonating with a whole new generation. And it’s a feeling anyone can embody—whether you wear your rugged sneakers to hit the trails or just the street.
This is just one of the healthy-living trends we're predicting for 2019—check out the full list here!
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