After the end of spring’s stay-at-home orders, socially distancing consumers this summer turned to the great outdoors as a way to escape.
If data from The NPD Group is any indicator, that trend will likely continue into the winter. According to the organization’s Retail Tracking Service, sales for cold weather boots and hiking shoes rose 49 percent and 24 percent year-over-year in August and September, respectively. Meanwhile, global tech research and advisory firm Technavio says the outdoor apparel market will expand by $3.9 billion through 20204, at a combined annual growth rate of 5 percent.
The Nike ACG (All Conditions Gear) Holiday 2020 collection, unveiled Thursday, stands not just to benefit from consumers’ pivot toward outdoor gear, but also from increased interest in sustainable products.
Aligned with Nike’s Move to Zero campaign, 85 percent of the winter apparel collection will contain more than 90 percent recycled content, said Nike.
“That balance between performance and sustainability is key to Nike ACG,” Nur Abbas, Nike design director, ACG Apparel, said in a statement. “Sustainability was our first filter for materials used in this collection, but we didn’t compromise the identity of ACG style and attitude; wearers can continue to be protected from the elements when exploring awe-inspiring nature, or even wear the apparel beyond a weekend in the outdoors.”
The team at Nike designed the latest collection “as a versatile layering system” and drew inspiration from Smith Rock—a volcanic structure located in central Oregon, a few hours’ drive from Nike’s global headquarters. All the pieces were named after Smith Rock’s trails, while rock shadings from the area served as a graphic inspiration.
The waterproof, windproof and breathable Nike ACG Misery Ridge Gore-Tex Jacket highlights the men and women’s collections, and features Gore-Tex’s three-layer fabric with 100 percent recycled polyester comprising the exterior and interior layers. Alongside this staple, midlayer pieces like the Nike ACG Rope De Dope Jacket, an insulated, packable puffer jacket, and the Nike ACG Polartec Wolf Tree Hoodie—a new fleece that uses 100 percent recycled materials—serve as layering complements.
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Continuing to build more robust women-specific styles and offerings, the women’s collection includes Nike Women’s ACG Rope De Dope Vest and Nike Women’s ACG Polartec Wolf Tree Crew and Pant.
The Nike ACG winter collection also offers two shoe iterations: the new Nike ACG Mountain Fly Gore-Tex and a winter colorway update to the Nike ACG Air Nasu Gore-Tex.
Borrowing elements of the Nike NEXT% system, including the carbon fiber plate, aesthetic and Nike React foam for comfort and energy return, the Nike ACG Mountain Fly Gore-Tex features a Gore-Tex fabric upper and a bootie design to keep the elements out. With a waffle pattern outsole and multi-directional traction, the model is built to tackle extremely rocky conditions. Colors featured on the Nike ACG Mountain Fly Gore-Tex mirror terrain-dyed hues and accent function.
The ACG Holiday 2020 apparel collection, as well as the latest Nike ACG Air Nasu Gore-Tex colorway, will release Nov. 12 on the Nike App and nike.com. The Nike ACG Mountain Fly Gore-Tex will drop Nov. 12 on SNKRS.
The unveiling of the ACG Holiday 2020 collection arrives a month after Nike’s Jordan Brand dropped its own outdoor shoe as part of its seasonal offering.
The Jordan Spizike 270 Boot, a spinoff of last year’s Michael Jordan-Spike Lee sneaker collaboration, combines elements from various Air Jordan models, with the shoe design meant to infuse Jumpman heritage with modern comfort and utility. A Nike Air Max 270 sole unit is designed to provide all-day comfort while winterized materials allow for outdoor use across all seasons.
The shoe offers four seasonal color pairings, including a Nike ACG-inspired iteration with bright pops of pink, purple, and teal contrasting accents on a gray base.