Take a hike! High-fashion hiking boots are coming to a mountain near you

By Niamh ODonoghue
21st Aug 2018

Take a hike! High-fashion hiking boots are coming to a mountain near you

Hiking boots are going off-trail this season and if designers like Gucci and Off-White have anything to say about it, you’ll want in on the outdoor action too

What do the fashion posse get up to at the weekend? They escape the bustle and ferocity of the city and head for the serenity of the mountains, of course. Though the dust has barely settled on summer sandals, our attention has already been turned to outerwear, and if designers like Gucci and Off-White have anything to say about it, you’ll want in on the outdoor action, too.

ICYMI: 15 chunky trainers to try this summer (even if you’re not a dad)

Hiking-inspired boots have never looked grungier or more fashion-forward. The trend (I’m hopeful that this is just a trend and nothing more) is a kind of ugly dad-trainer hybrid mashup, but one that I think Irish women can get behind. Their durability and structure will withstand cold, wet winters (the type of winters that we’re so used to but often fail to prepare for). With a chunky and borderline grotesque silhouette, the Gucci Flashtrek hiking boot (below) and the similar Flashtrek trainer with removable crystals, are the next stage in the evolution of the dad-style, retro trainers. The addition of an ankle support and the sturdy sole is what separates hiking boots from the popular Instagrammable trainers that have been awash our feeds for the last season.

Dad sneakers ????? Monday ??????????
A post shared by Eva Chen (@evachen212) on Aug 20, 2018 at 11:19am PDT

How to wear them? Do it with a sophisticated pencil skirt; hitting the sweet spot between office casual and street-style star. Tailored shorts and ankle-hugging boots will offer you respite during hot or wet days (and keep you buoyant!). Take hiking boots from the high road to high-brow with a pair of statement, crystal embellished socks (or DIY your own!), or pair with pretty socks for an autumnal sartorial update. Or if you prefer your shoes to do double duty, pair them with a floral-printed midi skirt and timeless leather jacket or industrial cargo pants for an injection of tough-woman modernity. Let chunky outsoles be the life of the party or trail this year; equal parts mountain explorer and retro nineties. Whether you’re taking on a mountain of grocery shopping, or an actual mountain, do it in comfort and style with our selection of durable, high-fashion hiking boots…