Arc'teryx jackets on city streets, membranes in cafes, and Salomon instead of standard sneakers. Dressing as if you've just returned from a trek in the Tatra Mountains is no longer a quirk, but one of the dominant styles of recent years.
In 2017, journalist Jason Chen coined the term "gorpcore" in an article for The Cut — derived from the acronym GORP (Good Old Raisins and Peanuts — a popular trail snack taken on hikes) and the suffix -core, denoting an aesthetic.
At first, it was pure irony. Chen described outdoor clothing in the city as "demonstrably" ugly and openly mocked people wearing heavy trekking boots in restaurants. But people picked up on the term and turned it into a source of pride and a subculture of its own.
PANDEMIC, TIKTOK, AND GLOBAL TAKEOVER
The main catalyst for the rise of gorpcore was the pandemic. Confined to their homes, people flocked to nature in droves, and after restrictions were lifted, they no longer wanted to go back to their old wardrobes. Technical jackets, trail sneakers, and fleeces swapped mountain trails for metropolitan streets.
Over 1.7 billion views on TikTok and Instagram transformed a niche trend into a global one. A$AP Rocky and Frank Ocean began mixing technical clothing with streetwear. Following their lead, global runways picked up on the trend, integrating membrane fabrics and trekking footwear into haute couture. The outdoor apparel market is projected to grow from $39.7 billion to $77.3 billion by 2035. This is no coincidence — it's a shift in how people think about clothing.
GORPCORE BRANDS AND WHY YOU DON'T NEED TO GO MOUNTAIN CLIMBING TO WEAR THEM
I started wearing outdoor gear long before it was called gorpcore. Not because I was following trends — I just liked the style and its practicality. I was drawn to Carhartt WIP for the density of their materials and well-thought-out cuts, and to Gramicci pants for their comfortable crotch gusset and built-in nylon belt.
I discovered Klättermusen thanks to a friend — a restaurateur and traveler whom I trust more than any fashion media. It’s a great alternative to Arc'teryx. The Swedes have been making technical clothing since 1975 — without any compromises or flashy logos.
But along with the style's popularity came a certain snobbery. Once at a party, a friend commented on my Peak Performance jacket: "And how many peaks have you conquered in that?". Apparently, you had to earn the right to wear such a brand in the mountains first. And my greatest achievement at the time was 20 steps in an underpass.
That is the main paradox I have been observing for years. Brands that created clothing for extreme conditions have eventually become part of urban culture. Even Arc'teryx is seen more often in specialty cafes today than on crags. And that is not a betrayal of ideology, but a compliment to the design. If a piece works in harsh conditions, it will be reliable in the city as well.
OUTDOOR COMMUNITY VS INSTAGRAM GORPCORE
Of course, once the trend became mainstream, those who have been wearing this clothing for years started to get annoyed. The community quickly split into those "in the know" and those just following the fashion. Aggressive gatekeeping emerged around Vibram soles, Gore-Tex technology, or the number of completed trails.
There is also good news. Gorpcore as a mass trend is hitting its peak. This means the community that truly understands this clothing can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Things are returning to those who truly appreciate them.
At the same time, I am full of respect for those who buy Gramicci simply for the incredible comfort, or for those who choose norda for the aesthetics and durability. The reason for the purchase can be anything — every one of these choices is valid.
Style is a personal language. It doesn't matter why you chose a specific item. What matters is that you feel natural in it.
WHAT WILL REMAIN AFTER GORPCORE
The fashion for gorpcore is slowly waning. Most buyers will soon switch to something else — the next trend is already being born somewhere on TikTok.
What will remain, however, is what always remains after good style: specific brands with a specific philosophy. Carhartt WIP will keep its workwear legacy and dense fabrics. Klättermusen — its Swedish ecological philosophy. Salomon — engineering precision that doesn't age with the season. Gramicci — its gusset that cannot be improved. norda, with its Dyneema material and Vibram sole, will outlive most other sneakers in your closet.
The most important thing this fading trend will leave behind is a global shift in how we view our wardrobes. Outdoor clothing in the city is ceasing to be a quirk and is becoming a simply practical and functional choice that will be just as relevant five years from now as it is today.
This is exactly the approach to take when selecting clothes. And it is precisely this philosophy that we share at NEWBORN K in Warsaw.
FAQ
Gorpcore — what is it and when did it appear?
Gorpcore is a style that combines functional, technical outdoor gear with a daily urban wardrobe. The trend was named in 2017 by journalist Jason Chen in an article for The Cut. The peak of the style's global popularity occurred between 2020–2024, aided by the pandemic and a general demand for comfortable and practical clothing.
Gorpcore is going out of style. Is it worth buying such clothing now?
As a mass trend — yes, it is fading. However, the brands that shaped this aesthetic long before it became mainstream — Salomon, Klättermusen, Gramicci, norda, Carhartt WIP — are not going anywhere. Good technical urban clothing remains a practical foundation. It was relevant before the trend and will remain after it.
Which brands in this style are worth knowing?
At NEWBORN K, we carry brands with a long history and authentic style: the French outdoor giant Salomon, which has been creating technological clothing and footwear since 1947; the Swedish brand Klättermusen with its ecological approach; the iconic Gramicci with its climbing roots; the American workwear classic Carhartt WIP, rethought for the city; and the innovative Canadian sneakers from norda, featuring Dyneema material and Vibram soles.
Where to buy high-quality gorpcore clothing in Warsaw?
At the NEWBORN K concept store at 2 Krucza St. in Warsaw. We import brands directly and know everything about every item, which makes it worth your attention. The entire assortment is also available online at newbornk.pl.
