Category
Brands
Style
Material
Collection
Recently Viewed
Popular Items
Hello. I’m Kayaba from the trends blog. Today, I’ll introduce gorpcore, which has been one of the trends in Japan for the past few years.
I’ll also introduce materials and accessories that can be used for gorpcore-style items.
First of all, what is gorpcore?
“Core” has a similar meaning to the “core” in normcore. It is like the “core” in hardcore, with a nuance of being “authentic” or “thorough.”
So then, what does “gorp” mean?
It comes from the initials of “Good Old Raisins and Peanuts,” and is derived from trail mix used to replenish energy during mountain climbing and other outdoor activities.
In other words, gorp refers to outdoor activities such as trail running and mountain climbing, rather than camping.
In other words, gorpcore is fashion that incorporates authentic outdoor wear into everyday clothing.
This also involves matters of nuance, but when we say outdoor, it refers to outdoor activities in general. For example, wax jackets, hunting jackets, and 60/60 mountain jackets are also included as outdoor-mix items, but the nuance of gorpcore demands truly functional and authentic performance in the modern era.
From Instagram
The trend is rooted in overseas celebrities posting functional outdoor wear as everyday clothing on social media, and it was also picked up by the media as one of the trends in 2022.
Also, in the early 2010s, ultra-functional hardcore brands such as Germany’s Acronym and Arc’teryx Veilance began to draw attention. In the mid-2010s, Italy’s Stone Island also started making waves by releasing collaboration items with Supureme.(It was already a brand with many fans at the time.)
In parallel with that, the 90s revival brought vintage The North Face and Stone Island collectors into the spotlight, and they became influential on social media as well, forming the movement known as Gorpccore.
The following article is in English, but it was written in 2017 about gorpcore.
https://www.thecut.com/2017/05/new-fashion-trends-normcore-gorpcore.html
I also think the outdoor boom caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 accelerated this gorpcore trend.
In particular, the aforementioned Arc’teryx has consistently had a major presence. At a time when authentic outdoor wear was dominated by flashy colors, Arc’teryx’s tonal color lineup, which blends easily into everyday fashion, and its refined minimalist design were accepted by the mass market, and I think gorpcore became a major movement as well.(I believe Arc’teryx was first introduced in Japan in the early 2000s.)
Also, depending on the purpose, outerwear called hard shells is made slightly larger so you can layer clothing underneath, and the ability to easily change the silhouette with drawcords at the waist and hem is another reason I think it was embraced by the market.
The following items are symbolic of gorpcore.
From here, I’ll introduce textiles and accessories that can be used for items representative of gorpcore.
This is a very thin 3-layer textile and can be used for various items such as outerwear.
This is also a 3-layer product packed with high-performance features. It offers high water resistance, high moisture permeability, and windproof performance. It is slightly thicker than the textile mentioned above.
It is a versatile product that can be used for everything from casual to outdoor applications.
Water resistance: 20,000 mm level / Moisture permeability: 8,000 g/m2/24hr level It is perfect for sports-inspired items.
“MacLaury” is a nylon material characterized by a natural-looking matte texture and vivid color development.
It also has quick-drying and water-repellent properties, so it is a recommended material for a wide range of uses from town wear to outdoor wear.
It seems especially suitable for nylon cargo pants.
When it comes to outdoor zippers, it has to be a water repellent zipper!
Since these are basically factory processed, lead time is required, but for black, if it is only a sample, there may be cases where delivery can be made on a short lead time.(Mass production is assumed)
Please check general water repellent zippers here.
We also carry buckle hardware from FIDLOCK.
Can be used for drawcords on hoods and hems.
This is a NIFCO strap. Hardware like this with a whistle also gives off a strong outdoor feel.
Thank you for reading to the end.
For those who have read this far, here is an interesting article.(in English)
https://www.gq.com/story/rip-gorpcore
It is an interesting article that warns against drifting away from the cultural background and history behind it and instead chasing new trends for commercial purposes.
In Japan, when a niche trend or item expands into a mainstream trend, people sometimes say it has “gained citizenship,” and the day when the word Gorpcore is no longer used may be the day gorpcore truly gains citizenship and becomes rooted in people’s daily lives.
