Why everyone is wearing climbing-inspired shoes
Climbing-inspired footwear is gaining popularity as fashion and function merge, with brands like Village PM and Bedrock Sandals seeing strong sales. The trend, part of the broader 'gorpcore' aesthetic, blends outdoor performance with urban style, appealing to both outdoor enthusiasts and fashion-conscious consumers. Even mass-market and luxury brands like Zara, Prada, and Loewe are releasing climbing-influenced designs.
- ▪Village PM's 1.30PM sneakers, inspired by approach shoes, are selling exceptionally well at Canadian retailer Haven.
- ▪Mountain Equipment Company reports increased sales of approach shoes like the La Sportiva TX4 EVO and Scarpa Crux following climbing's debut at the 2020 Olympics.
- ▪Bedrock Sandals, known for minimalist, adjustable adventure sandals, anticipates 60-per-cent growth in 2024 and plans to launch its first hiking shoe and rebrand as Bedrock Footwear.
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Open this photo in gallery:Bedrock’s adjustable, barefoot sandals won’t slip while trudging through rivers or hiking up mountains.Andrew Bydlon/SuppliedShareSave for laterPlease log in to bookmark this story.Log InCreate Free AccountIn March, I paid a visit to Canadian men’s wear store Haven to inspect the new 1.30PM sneakers by Village PM, a skate shoe brand from Paris. Since launching last March at Paris Fashion Week, Village PM has been picked up by influential retailers such as Haven – a mecca for rare Japanese and European men’s wear with locations in Toronto and Vancouver – and skate shops alike.
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