Over the past half-decade, a growing trend towards outdoor-inspired utilitarian clothing has seen streetwear aficionados and the discerning fashion crowd abandon their seasonal box-logo hoodies and vintage tailoring in favor of shell jackets and modular cargo pants. Despite offering camping wear as streetwear, the core brands in this quirky space still need to really lean in as they focus on authenticity and a strong ethos. Ironically, it’s this focus on intent that makes the ‘gorpcore’ trend so fun, but there’s no denying how seriously the outdoor gear industry takes its craft.
It’s well known in the industry that consumers in the Outdoor category are adamantly rigid when it comes to brand loyalty. Gear is undeniably part of the journey just like your hands and feet, and the only thing that can disrupt a bond between a person and their possessions is the prospect of something new and/or better. That said, adidas Terrex is emerging as an unexpected player in this space. They have the resources, the engineering, and a proven track record of building truly functional gear, putting them in a prime position to compete with the major brands that have dominated the category for decades.
Designing outdoor equipment is simple, but simple is never easy; Ideally, it’s the perfect blend of protection and laid-back vibes, and the current FW22 collection from adidas Terrex embodies that balance. Our experience camping and hiking with adidas Terrex deep in the Sedona desert allowed us to put the product to the test, traversing wet and dry, flat and steep paths. We slept in sub-zero temperatures in tents and hiked beautiful trails with unhindered sun on our backs. There were no showers and the shared toilet was a 2×2 box. For those who have never been camping before (sneaker rides don’t count), this was a first-hand experience that likely converted city dwellers into outdoor enthusiasts.
adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 is the category’s flagship shoe for outdoor hiking. The Gore-Tex iteration was on our feet from sunrise to sunset (about sixteen hours a day), a feat made possible by BOOST cushioning that really needs no introduction. Comfort was never a concern, but we learned that the real hallmark of this sneaker is the Continental rubber outsole. The grip provides the security to walk where and how you want, and our confidence grew as the hikes got considerably tougher. It made me think back to past hikes; could I have gone further with the right equipment? The Pulse Olive colorway is our favorite, but there are a total of four options available.
The Terrex Speed Ultra was a super lightweight alternative suitable for trail running on flatter terrain. The BOOST and Continental combination offered the same level of confidence and security, while the lightweight, breathable upper made it perfect for racing. The model itself was designed by Tom Evans, a world champion racer.
adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 GTX legume olive
adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 GTX legume olive
adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 GTX legume olive
adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 GTX legume olive
adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 GTX legume olive
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legume olive
Zupahike hiking pants
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wonder of steel
TechRock Stretch Jacket
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basic black
Half-zip fleece
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No showers for four days, I decided to change as little as possible and opt for the most comfortable clothes given to me. I have worn the Terrex Zupahike hiking pants the whole time. Hike, meal, dinner, campfire – it was too comfortable to change. The temperature regulation was surprising; there were both hot and cold hikes, and I felt great during the freezing temperatures at night. Stretch fabric is supremely comfortable, while nylon panels add support in key areas. Off the beaten path, these are a great choice if you like the gorpcore look.
The Terrex TechRock Stretch Primaloft Hooded Jacket packs an unpretentious punch. It weighs almost nothing, but it insulates extremely well. Even with just a t-shirt underneath, this jacket was suitable for sub-zero temperatures. The real MVP was the Terrex Hike Half-Zip Fleece; kept me warm and comfortable, while the recycled polyester double knit provided a nice look thanks to the dimpled texture.
adidas Terrex Zuperhike Hiking Pants legume olive
adidas Terrex Zuperhike Hiking Pants legume olive
adidas Terrex Half-Zip Fleece basic black
adidas Terrex Half-Zip Fleece basic black
adidas Terrex Half-Zip Fleece basic black
We showed you goods. So what was the actual experience like? While transportation, gear and meals were provided by Camp Yoshi, a Portland-based group that aims to get minorities outdoors, nothing hits you in the face like trying to sleep in freezing weather with howling coyotes. in the background.
The first hike was a flat, sandy trail that unexpectedly got rocky and steep as you entered the main attraction – the birth cave. It was a taste of things to come as our travels were to become more difficult. With no more hikes left on the first day, a small group decided to take an impromptu trip up a somewhat treacherous hill adjacent to the campsite. It only took fifteen minutes to reach the top, although much of that time was spent carefully navigating through fields of cacti and slippery rocks. I recovered a plastic bottle that I thought was trash left behind, but inside was a worn notepad with a cover depicting the 2007 Spider-Man 3 movie. Although not archaeologically significant , we knew we had stumbled upon something a bit old. More on that later.
On day two, we put the Free Hiker 2 through its paces. It all started with a fun 4×4 tour with Rivian pickup trucks courtesy of Camp Yoshi. There was no actual trail at our drop off point so we were encouraged to explore on our own. It was on this hike that I learned that footwear is simply important and can dictate how far you can go. Continental rubber sticks HARD, which is especially important on rock-climbing-based rides (if that’s the right description). The next thing I know is that I’m hundreds of feet up looking over the whole town with only two other pack members. We finally made it to the Seven Sacred Pools, a beautiful constellation of natural formations that resemble Mother Nature’s hot tubs.
The third and final day of hiking was in the Red Rock Trails about an hour drive from the campground. Due to the fact that the trail was nestled between gigantic rock formations, the temperature was always so fluctuating. There were a lot of streams to cross – this is where I recommend Gore-Tex over the non-GTX version of the Free Hiker 2, but avoiding the water is definitely doable. We explored about three miles into the trail before turning around.
The final hike was a “secret” that involved about thirty minutes of rally-style desert racing. The weather was not on our side as we went specifically to laze around at sunset, and getting to the actual final location was actually a bit terrifying. From our vantage point, it seemed like a slip and a fall meant falling off the mountain. But by then, we all built complete trust in the equipment and prevailed. What’s truly amazing (and somewhat mind-blowing) is that the rock formation was, at one point, underwater.
Back to the time capsule: it was launched by a Korean who had visited the same peak a year after his mother’s death in 2009. It gave us collective chills considering that the person who found the object was also Korean. Without going into too much detail of what was written, we decided to leave a response in Korean, reassuring that his mother is taken care of. The entire camp also wrote their own individual messages for the next explorers to find.
The experiential aspect is still as important in the Outdoor category because the equipment is less about collecting “likes” on social networks than accompanying you on an individual journey. We’re all city dwellers working in a superficial industry, but I’m convinced that everyone who took part in it – even the Camp Yoshi gurus – unlocked something new within.
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