Cole Haan is challenging how performance footwear is designed for city dwellers with GrandExpløre, a new collection of fashion-forward footwear and accessories for extreme climates.
The brand partnered with outdoor apparel and equipment company Mountain Hardwear to develop the technical-meets-fashion collection.
“GrandExpløre is for explorers of all kinds. Whether you’re hiking through the Swiss Alps or enduring winter in the city streets, the collection strikes a delicate balance between beauty and resiliency. Working with our innovation team and Mountain Hardwear, we received an indispensable purview into what’s necessary for comfort in the face of some of the world’s most volatile conditions and translated those elements into a classic Cole Haan footwear and outerwear,” said David Maddocks, Cole Haan chief marketing officer and general manager of business development.
The footwear men’s line includes the Alpine Hiker, a lightweight, ultra-insulated, waterproof boot designed to withstand extreme temperatures and terrains. The hiker features a brass back clip—inspired by the metal crampon used for actual alpine climbing—as well as a fully waterproof upper.
The women’s Waterproof Hiker features details like a shearling padded collar and a rich nubuck upper, while the waterproof and seam-sealed construction keeps feet dry and warm.
The collection also includes the Cole Haan + Mountain Hardwear GrandExpløre Parka. The jacket is made with proprietary Q.Shield Down technology that resists “heat robbing moisture and retains maximum loft, even when wet.”
The GrandExpløre collection is available in international and U.S. Cole Haan stores and online. Retail prices range from $250 to $700.