Tourism, mountaineering and fashion: talk about gorpcore style

stylist, image maker

“Rapper A$AP Rocky is walking around Coachella 2024 in a trekking boot with colorful laces. Rihanna can be seen in a tracksuit and hiking cap, and actor Adam Sandler was spotted in the center of London in a voluminous jacket, reminiscent of equipment for mountaineering. What’s going on, and why are celebrities – followed by bloggers, street fashion followers and fashionistas – dressing like they’re going on a multi-day hike?”

What is gorpcore style?

This year’s trend is the ultra-trendy gorpcore style. The name comes from the acronym GORP, or good old raisins and peanuts. Literally it means “good old raisins and peanuts”, a traditional tourist snack of dried fruits and nuts.

The concept was first introduced by Jason Chen, editor of The Cut magazine, in an article about the new fashion trend. He mentioned that gorpcore replaced the usual everyday casual looks.

So what does this style entail? Gorpcore is a modern reading of outdoors clothing and accessories, that is, things for tourism, camping and traveling. They are characterized by comfort, freedom and functionality. Gorpcore lovers choose them to emphasize their individuality, independence – and uncompromising sense of style. But how did it become popular in the first place?

Demix men’s pants, 3999 RUB.

The history of gorpcore

The first hints of gorpcore started to appear a few years ago. Then The Cut wrote that more and more celebrities wear fleece clothes, windbreakers, parkas, hiking pants and boots, and all the “cool kids want to look like they know how to tie a bowline” on a walk in a nature reserve.

In a wave of interest in hiking and other hiking activities that have become popular in the pandemic era, outdoorswear brand The North Face and fashion house Gucci released a joint collection. The ads for it were shot in the mountains.

Next, another manufacturer of activewear, Arc’teryx, in collaboration with Jil Sander, developed a collection of winter sportswear, and Jacquemus dedicated its next line to hiking and camping.

Sweatshirt The North Face, 9199 RUB / Lamoda

In many respects, the popularity of gorpcore was influenced by the active development of the hiking clothing industry. New brightly colored fabrics, membrane materials, smart technologies and functional things are constantly appearing here.

Sports and travel brands attract designers and produce joint collaborations to make outdoor clothing not only comfortable, but also stylish.

Thanks to this fashion for clothing for camping and hiking moved from a highly specialized niche of fans of “nuts and raisins” in the very real mainstream, becoming incredibly popular among a wide audience.
This is how the gorpcore trend emerged – a style that today can be seen on the streets and at the shows of fashion houses.

What does gorpcore style clothing look like?

Typical elements of gorpcore-style clothing:

1. technological fabrics and materials (such as Gore-Tex, fleece, nylon);
2. functional details: plenty of pockets, special zippers, windproof closures;
3. layering: combination of several layers of clothing (this is one of the basic rules of hiking outfit);
4. roomy backpacks and panamas;
5. sporty aesthetics: bright colors, prints and logos, functional elements.

Northland membrane jacket, 8999 RUB.

Gorpcor clothing is about freedom, individuality and functionality. For example, a panama will protect you from the sun even in the most extreme heat. Trekking boots are indispensable footwear in gorpcore style. And women’s shorts and fleece – a great set for not hot days.

Gorpcore style pants are made of technological fabric. They have patch pockets and functional details on them.

Another option for a gorpcore-style outfit is brightly colored sports jackets made of membrane materials with functional lining and glued seams. Brands produce both men’s and women’s collections. A sporty sweatshirt and a belt bag is the perfect base for creating a gorpcore look.

Dickies belt bag, 3830 RUB / Lamoda

Gorpcore in the modern world

Nowadays gorpcore style clothes are not surprising to anyone. There are world brands that have become the inspirers of this trend. They specialize in outdoors clothing. For example, The North Face, Patagonia, Arc’teryx, Columbia, Salomon.

However, the influence of gorpcore has seeped into other clothing styles. For example, in streetwear and casual. They have become more sporty and functional.

Women’s Arc’teryx Konseal shorts, 9999 RUB / Sportmaster

Among the advantages of gorpcor style clothing – comfort, practicality, durability, ease of care, the ability to easily combine things with each other.

Among the disadvantages – it is quite expensive, and opportunities for self-expression it is still limited. Gorpcor things are suitable for active recreation, casual images for every day, study, sometimes – work. But they are unlikely to be appropriate at a solemn or business event.

And yet this style has rightfully become one of the trends in the world of fashion. “Good old raisins and peanuts” walks the planet, combining functionality and aesthetics.