While your dad may still be surprised that the hiking gear he used to wear became fashionable, the style and utility outdoor apparel is known for is ubiquitous at this point in the fashion industry. From industry giants like Arc’Teryx and Nike getting in on the action with sub-labels, to mainstays like C.P. Company and DESCENTE ALLTERRAIN, the techwear space (or gorp-core/whatever you want to call it) is the home to innovation in outdoor apparel. Nike’s outdoor offshoot ACG is both an OG and a somewhat new venture, as it was first established in ‘89 before eventually closing shop and relaunching with a new vision in 2014. Now they’re looking to the vaults for the Nike ACG Torre Mid Waterproof, a retro redesign of a classic hiker.
Making its first appearance back in 1995, this modern take stays quite faithful to the original design, combining shaggy suede and textile to make a rugged waterproof upper. The chunky rubber outsole is also returning (and happens to still be in style), with a tread pattern that’s perfect for the trails. There’s no doubt that these are hiking shoes, but it’s clear that ACG has taken its experience since relaunching in 2014 to make subtle changes that elevate the silhouette’s style (like the pops of color on the heel/tongue logos and pull tabs).
ACG’s strength has always been its ability to draw inspiration from classic designs (they’ve been around in some form since the late ‘80s, after all) while still keeping things fresh. As for the colorways available at launch, you can choose from the “Pecan and Olive Grey” (accented with purple) and “Burnt Sienna and Obsidian” (accented with green).
The Nike ACG Torre Mid Waterproof will be available for $150 when they drop on December 5th in the “Pecan and Olive Grey” (featured above) and “Burnt Sienna and Obsidian” colorways.
