New Balance’s iconic Rainier Boot is about iconic as it is rugged, which says a lot considering a famous mountaineer hiked in them to the top of Mount Everest. Now, the renowned silhouette is making a stylish return courtesy of, you guessed it, Aimé Leon Dore, whose virtually endless line of NB collaborations may have been building up to this mountain top (pun intended).
While the boots were first released in 1982, ALD founder Teddy Santis has proven adept at revitalizing anything New Balance has put forth, as the New York label’s latest re-design deems the Rainier ready for anything — not just hiking. The newest iteration of these sturdy stompers is delivered in a subdued tan and burgundy colorway, separating itself from the previous, more colorful joint efforts between the brands.
And while this makeover deems the Rainier as stylish as it’s ever been, the collaborative boot retains every bit of durable, outdoor appeal, mainly thanks to the addition of GORE-TEX. Of course, this waterproof membrane paves the way for optimized weather protection, but the brand couldn’t do away with its original Cordura upper. Above all else, the newly-designed Rainier sits on top of a lightweight EVA foam midsole and a lugged Vibram rubber sole to ensure all-day comfort and traction across any terrain.
The ALD/New Balance Rainier hiking boot was released this morning for $200, available on the latter’s webshop.
