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Over the last half-decade, a growing trend of wearing utilitarian, outdoors-inspired gear saw streetwear aficionados and the fastidious fashion crowd ditching their seasonal box-logo hoodies and vintage couture in favor of shell jackets and modular cargo pants. Despite the purveyance of camping clothes as streetwear, the foundational brands of this quirky space have yet to truly lean in as they focus on authenticity and a strong ethos. Ironically, it’s that concentration on intent is what makes the “gorpcore” trend so uniquely fun to dabble in, but there’s no denying how seriously the outdoor gear industry takes its craft.
It’s known quite well within the industry that consumers in the Outdoor category are unflinchingly rigid when it comes to brand loyalty. The gear is undeniably part of the journey as much as your hands and feet are, and the only thing that can disrupt a bond between a person and their goods is the prospect of something new and/or better. That said, adidas Terrex is growing to be an unexpected player in this space. They have the resources, the engineering, and a proven track record in building truly functional gear, placing them in primed position to compete with the chief brands that have commanded the category for decades.
Design for outdoor gear is simple, but simple is never easy; Ideally it’s the perfect blend of protection and a chilled-out vibe, and the current FW22 collection by adidas Terrex embodies that balance. Our first-hand experience camping and hiking with adidas Terrex deep in the Sedona desert allowed us to put the product to the test, traversing paths both wet and dry, flat and steep. We slept in below-freezing temperatures in tents and hiked gorgeous trails with an unimpeded sun on our backs. There were no showers and the communal toilet was a 2×2 box. For those who have never gone camping before (sneaker releases don’t count), it was an in-your-face experience that likely converted city folk into outdoor mavens.
The adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 is the category’s flagship footwear offering for outdoor hiking. The Gore-Tex iteration was on our feet from sunrise to lights out (roughly sixteen hours a day), a feat made possible by the BOOST cushioning that really needs no introduction. Comfort was never a concern, but we learned that the true hallmark of this sneaker is the Continental rubber outsole. The grip provides the security to step where and how you please, and our confidence grew as the hikes got considerably more challenging. It made me think back to past hikes; could I have gone farther with the proper gear? The Pulse Olive colorway is our favorite, but there are a total of four available options.
The Terrex Speed Ultra was a super lightweight alternative suitable for trail-running on flatter grounds. The BOOST and Continental combination provided the same level of confidence and security, while the lightweight a breathable upper made it perfect for running. The model itself was designed by Tom Evans, a world-champion runner.
adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 GTX Pulse Olive
adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 GTX Pulse Olive
adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 GTX Pulse Olive
adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 GTX Pulse Olive
adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 GTX Pulse Olive
With no showers for four days, I decided to change as little as possible and go with the most comfortable apparel that was given to me. I wore the Terrex Zupahike Hiking Pants the ENTIRE time. Hiking, meals, dinner, campfire – it was too comfortable to change out of. The temperature regulation was surprising; there were hikes that were both hot and cold, and I felt fine during the freezing temperatures at night. The stretch-fabric is extremely comfortable, while the nylon panels added support in key areas. Off the trail, these are a great choice if you’re about the gorpcore look.
The Terrex TechRock Stretch Primaloft Hooded Jacket packs an unassuming punch. It weighs next to nothing, but it insulates extremely well. Even with just a t-shirt under, this jacket was suitable for below-freezing 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 via the dimpled texture.
adidas Terrex Zuperhike Hiking Pants Pulse Olive
adidas Terrex Zuperhike Hiking Pants Pulse Olive
adidas Terrex Half-Zip Fleece Core Black
adidas Terrex Half-Zip Fleece Core Black
adidas Terrex Half-Zip Fleece Core Black
We showed you to goods. So, what was the actual experience like? While the transportation, equipment, and meals were provided by Camp Yoshi, a Portland-based group that aims to brings minorities to the great outdoors, nothing hits you in the face like trying to get some sleep in below-freezing weather with coyotes howling in the background.
The first hike was a flat and sandy trail that got unexpectedly rocky and steep entering into the main attraction – the Birthing Cave. It was a taste of things to come as our travels were expected to get more challenging. While there were no other hikes remaining on the first day, a small group decided to make an impromptu trip on a somewhat treacherous hill adjacent to the campsite. It took just fifteen minutes to reach the apex, although a good bulk of that time was spent carefully navigating through fields of cacti and slippery rocks. I retrieved a plastic bottle that I believed to be trash left behind, but inside was a worn-out notepad with a cover featuring the Spider-Man 3 movie from 2007. While hardly of archaeological importance, we knew we stumbled on something somewhat ancient. More on this later.
The second day was where we put the Free Hiker 2 to the test. It started with a fun 4×4 excursion with the Rivian pick-up 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 the footwear simply matters and can dictate how far you can go. The Continental rubber sticks HARD, which is especially paramount in climbing-based hikes (if that’s the right descript at all). Next thing I know, i’m hundreds of feet up in elevation, looking down the entire city with just two other members of the pack. We eventually made it to the Seven Sacred Pools, a gorgeous constellation of natural formations that look like Mother Nature’s jacuzzis.
The third and final day of hikes took place in the Red Rock Trails about an hour drive away from the campsite. Due to the trail being ensconced between gigantic rock formations, the temperature was ever so fluctuating. There were plenty of streams to cross — this is where I recommend the Gore-Tex over the non-GTX version of the Free Hiker 2, but avoiding the water is entirely feasible. We explored about three miles into the trail before we turned backwards.
The final hike was a “secret” that required about thirty minutes of rally-style racing in the desert. Time wasn’t on our side as we went specifically to bask in the sunset, and getting to the actual final location was actually a bit terrifying. From our perspective, it seemed like one slip and fall meant falling off the mountain. But by then, we all built full confidence in the gear and we prevailed. What’s truly incredible (and somewhat mind-fucking) is that the rock formation was, at one point, under water.
Back to the time capsule: It was started by a Korean man who had visited the same peak a year after his mother’s death in 2009. This sent chills down our collective spine considering the person who found the item was Korean as well. Without going too much into detail on what was written, we decided on leaving a response in Korean, reassuring that his mother is being looked after. The entire camp also wrote their own individual messages for the next explorers to find.
The experiential aspect is ever-so-important in the Outdoor category because the gear is less about garnering “likes” on social media, and more about accompanying you on an individual journey. We’re all city folk working in a superficial industry, but I trust that everyone that attended — even the gurus of Camp Yoshi — unlocked something new within.
