Moncler has never been shy about leaning into its mountain roots. The brand was born in 1952 in Monestier-de-Clermont, France, outfitting climbers and expedition teams before it ever became known for dressing the fashion-forward crowd. The Trailgrip line, introduced in 2022, has always been the truest expression of that heritage in sneaker form. It arrived as a GORE-TEX-equipped, Vibram-soled low-top built with real terrain in mind. At well over a pound per shoe, it’s certainly on the higher end compared to the competition which land around 10oz on average. But now, Moncler debuts its lightest trail shoe yet with the Trailgrip LP.
FOUR YEARS IN THE MAKING
Splitting the difference between hiking boot and city sneaker, the original Trailgrip GTX set the template with its rugged outsole, bike-tire-inspired tread, and chunky toe cap. From there, Moncler pushed it further with higher-top iterations, Cordura-reinforced builds, and even the snow-boot-adjacent Apres variant. In 2023, they teased a fully 3D-printed single-material TPU concept with Zellerfeld. Through it all, we could tell the brand was passionate about pushing the platform to its absolute limit. The LP, short for Light Performance, is where that experimentation crystallizes into the most practical iteration so far, albeit with a $645 price tag attached.
BUILT LIGHT, BUILT RIGHT
The LP clocks in at 13.4oz per shoe, making it the lightest Trailgrip Moncler has ever produced. The upper combines nubuck, suede, and microfiber in a more flexible, lower-profile construction than its predecessors, with a mesh lining to keep airflow moving.
The inspiration here is scrambling, which is a demanding activity that combines hiking and climbing, and where weight and agility matter as much as grip. As such, the silhouette sits closer to the ground, the toe cap’s TPU shell connects cleanly into the outsole, and the wraparound rubber band above the sole edge gives you plenty of protection. An EVA midsole offers absorption from impact, and you also get a washable OrthoLite insole for comfort, which are the same insoles that Salomon uses for their premium hikers.
Luxurious Utility
Trail-to-city crossover sneakers have become a crowded category, especially with the likes of Salomon’s XT-6, Hoka’s Transport, and New Balance’s Fresh Foam Hierro. With the lofty price tag, the Trailgrip LP has proven its stature over the others with premium features like a nubuck and suede upper you won’t really find among the others. However, to prove to us they don’t want us just walking the streets with this expensive trail runner, Moncler has equipped it with grippy Vibram outsoles and a lofty 35mm stack height. Lastly, the sneakers can be fine-tuned with elastic laces and an adjustable toggle that preclude any untying mid-journey.
SPEC SHEET
Model: Moncler Trailgrip LP
Upper: Suede, nubuck, and microfiber with mesh lining
Midsole: EVA foam
Outsole: Vibram lugged rubber tread with wraparound sidewall
Insole: Washable OrthoLite
Toe Cap: TPU rubber
Lacing: Elastic laces with adjustable toggle
Sole Height: 3.5 cm
Weight: 13.4oz
Price: $645
PRICING & AVAILABILITY
The Moncler Trailgrip LP is available now in multiple colorways at $645 per pair through Moncler’s website and select retail locations.
Recap
Moncler Trailgrip LP
Moncler’s Trailgrip LP is the brand’s lightest and most refined take on its trail sneaker yet, coming in at 13.4oz with a nubuck and suede upper, Vibram outsole, and a scrambling-inspired low-profile build. At $645, it’s priced like the luxury product it is, but the technical credentials back it up.
