Gorpcore: The Sequel (GORP 2.0)
gorpcore: "We're so back."
While I say Gorpcore is back, it’s coming back in a way that’s a bit different than the first time. With its re-entry into the fashion zeitgeist, I can’t stress enough that you can’t just go back outside in your Goretex hard shells and Salomons. This time it’s going to be a bit more nuanced (I love that word. I googled the definition to make sure I was using it right). While the traditional gorp style can be used in certain aspects, going full gorpo mode won’t be necessary. Coined the phrase Gorp 2.0 by most of the internet, GQ’s writer, Reed Nelson (who referred to it as 3.0), explains that this new iteration is all about outdoor-inspired clothing while still fitting into the everyday context.
Our initial understanding of gorpcore would be defined as wearing brands that were originally known more to hikers, climbers, and campers as opposed to your average Mulberry street warrior (we wouldn’t be wearing Arc’trizzy if it weren’t for Virgil and Frank). Brands like Arc’teryx, Patagonia, Gramicci, and Salomon dominated fashion and footwear for a decent amount of time. I would describe gorpcore as ‘loud.’ Not just with the bright colours that were often affiliated with the style, but wearing a hiking fit when going out to brunch made it quite obvious that you made gorpcore your personality for that season (yeah, we could also hear you coming down the street in your damn Goretex pants, buddy).
ROA:
I think it goes without saying that I will be talking about a brand leading the new charge, ROA. Founded in 2015, ROA has been cementing itself as the GOATS of the gorp space within the last few years. The Italian footwear brand has grown by creating tasteful silhouettes and collaborating with other tasteful labels like Aries, A-COLD-WALL*, Brain Dead, jjjjound (thank you, daddy Justin), and many more. ROA is testing the boundaries of Gorpcore by updating classic styles with a hiked-up (pun intended) twist. One that perfectly encapsulates this updated movement is the Loafer model which contains a classic penny loafer upper, but splicing together their classic hike sole. Personal favourites of mine are the CVO model and the Rozes.
Not just footwear, ROA have also been exploring garms from head-to-toe and showcasing their most recent collection at Paris Fashion Week, giving audiences a hands-on experience with the collection and they’re bringing in elements of outdoor functionality to the fashion space. That’s the beauty of Gorp 2.0. Bringing elements of gorp to the everyday wear. You see, ROA understand that you have a merger meeting at 11, then a hike at 2. This new wave of gorp isn’t going loud and proud with the outdoor hard shells, but showing the ifykyk mfs that, yeah, you know. Less loud, more subtle, and more function to functionless spaces.
Trail Running:
I’m gonna throw a curve ball at you with this next point, as it might be considered a bit niche, but still very important – Running. As in, moving your body at a fast speed… for fun (did you know that I’m a runner btw?). I’m beginning to see a large growth of trail running apparel cross over into the road running scene, and also into the fashion space as a whole. Trail running is a rather self-explanatory title – people running on trails. These trails vary, it can be from gravel paths to the woods to literally running up mountains. Trail running is wildly misrepresented in gorp, and previously I could understand why. In terms of style, I always used to see trail running as hiking’s homeschooled cousin – y’know… not something you found easy to look in the eyes. That has since changed now that we’re also seeing trail and road running blend into one, and it’s never looked so hot. In recent times, we have District Vision’s latest collaboration with New Balance to see the running label take a step back from road running super shoes, and into the world of trail running by making their own mark on the More Trail V3. You have Satisfy making waves in both the road and trail running scene by having their road and trail athletes wear their Hoka model (even though it's not technically a trail running shoe), as well as their clothing line always having nature-esque inspired colour palettes and the aesthetic to match.
Some brands that I’ll be keeping an eye on when trying to find garms:
ROA – This is an easy one as I’ve already explained it
Manresa – A label based in Connecticut — could border on the lines of cottagecore as well if that’s your thing.
18 East – Their recent quilted jacket in the piss green is to die for.
South2 West8 – I know this is a very gorped-up label already, but who doesn’t love a six-pocket flannel (do you know how much Good Ol’ Raisins and Peanuts you could fit in there?!)
Goldwin - A Japanese-based label that uses materials best suited for the outdoors, but in an understated and refined way.
I promise you, that you’re still allowed to wear your Arc’teryx in 2024 – I will be one of them – because they still serve a purpose. Me? I’ll be in the schoolyard on duty in the rain. Doing a 7km loop at the local national park. Going out to brunch with my wife. Going on a ski trip here and there. It’s important to understand that GORP 2.0 is more than just nylon parachute pants with hard shells while being flicked up at the local bodega. We also need to explore jawnz that possess a gorp-y aspect in ways that we may not expect. Maybe we’ll be wearing Goretex suits at some stage (lowkey that could be sick. Like a pleated Goretex trouser? Sign me up). So if you spent $400 on a ski jacket, don’t cry, but maybe find something to go with it.