Need Sneakers for a Summer Adventure? Nike ACG’s Got You Covered
For a few years, technical outdoorsy gear has smashed head first with high fashion. Salomon is now namechecked in the same sentence as Comme des Garçons; Jil Sander and Arc’teryx have collaborated together. Simply put: dressing like you’re ready to tackle a trail has never looked so good. If you’ve been looking to refresh your summertime kicks with some gorpcore flare, then the latest drop from Nike’s hiking-inspired sub-label All Conditions Gear (ACG) has got you covered.
Nike ACG started in the late 1980s, making crunchy gear for big-time hikers, outdoor thrill seekers, and the like. In the mid-2010s, it got a sleek makeover thanks to designer Errolson Hugh and was soon embraced by major fashion cities across the globe. But Hugh and the Swoosh parted ways in 2018, and ACG began leaning back into its legacy as a vintage-inspired hiking brand. (Luckily, the label has held firm to some high-tech details that Hugh was famous for.) This weekend, some genuinely excellent sneakers, ranging from a casual slip-on moc to a 1990s hiking classic.
There is the ACG Moc 3.5, a slip-on sneaker made from a lightweight material featuring a rugged, grippy sole. Nike’s ACG Air Mada, initially designed in 1994, is given heritage colors and the same original color blocking. If you’re looking for something a little more all-purpose, the ACG Lowcate is sure to do the trick. And for the actual trail warriors, there is the ACG Mountain Fly Low, explicitly designed for tough terrain with a React midsole that delivers plush all-day comfort.
These sneakers are performance-minded, yes, but can still slide right in with the rest of your wardrobe the way any sneaker does. Pair them with flowy linen trousers, or lean into the outdoorsy look with hiking-inspired shorts—the choice is yours. Just know that a Nike ACG sneaker means peak performance and high-grade style in one sleek package.