A Gore-Tex shell jacket, baggy cargos and a pair of aggressive trail-running shoes: a super-practical outfit, no doubt, but does it belong to an intrepid alpine athlete or a mannequin from SSENSE? A few years ago, the answer would have been obvious, but as the line between technical gear and fashion becomes increasingly blurred, things aren’t quite so clear-cut.
Gorpcore is the intersection at which these two worlds collide. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the term, you’ve probably seen the look. Its essentially mountaineering cosplay with a hint of streetwear styling. And while people who actually climb alpine peaks for fun would no doubt fall off their camping stools laughing at the concept of fashion-conscious city kids jacking their ‘style’,