Meet Hike Room, the Label Turning Mountain Energy Into Comfort-First Kicks
No it’s not gorpcore, it’s a way of life.
This isn’t another gorpcore trend; this is Hike Room, the label turning hiking vibes into a lifestyle. Think less summit-conquering gear and more post-hike peace. The project was born from the desire to recreate the sense of focus, strength, achievement and even relaxation felt when scaling mountains and trekking through forests, but reimagined into cozy, wear-anywhere footwear.
Born from a craving to escape the city’s concrete, Hike Room is here to bring a little mountain mindset to your everyday. Its debut style, the “Ever Rest,” sits somewhere between a mule and a trail-ready silhouette, comfy enough for lounging, cool enough for your commute. Available in sand, blue, magenta and green, each pair is topped with a bright yellow tech lace-up detail that gives it that utilitarian edge. Don’t be fooled by the rugged look, though; these aren’t actually for the trails. The latest campaign sees the kicks paired with tanks, slouchy socks and wide-leg pants, proving that comfort and style climb the same peak.
If you’re dreaming of rocky ridges but actually living out a slow Sunday, Hike Room’s got you covered. We caught up with the team behind the brand to talk creative process, styling tips and what the ultimate Hike Room girl looks like.
Read on for the full interview.
Can you tell us a bit about the story behind Hike Room? What was the inspiration behind starting the brand?
Hike Room was born from the idea of capturing two worlds in one. The freshness you feel outdoors and the coziness you find indoors. We named our brand “Hike Room” because we wanted our products to reflect both the active energy of nature and the calm comfort of home.
At Hike Room, everything begins with this balance between movement and calmness. Inspired by the outdoors, our products bring a sense of vitality and freedom to everyday life. We believe in designs that feel clean, modern and effortlessly refreshing, like a breath of fresh air with every step.
What can you tell us about the creative process behind designing the pieces?
It might sound a bit strange, but for our creative design process, we intentionally set limitations. Specifically, in terms of market positioning. There are countless products in the market, and it’s important to define where we want to stand among them. Without a clear position, even the most creative design can easily lose its identity.
We initially wanted to start with outdoor footwear. But the market is already filled with strong players such as Salomon, HOKA, The North Face and On Running. As a small and emerging brand, we had to think carefully about our positioning and naturally take a different direction. That became the foundation of our creative process.
Instead of focusing only on design itself, we concentrated on the emotions a product can give. We believe that good design isn’t just about looking beautiful. It’s about weaving together elements that create a story. Through this approach, we aimed to design products that can connect emotionally with people.
For the last, we believe that visualization is a very important element for the creative process of design. We actively use 3D modeling to visualize our ideas as closely as possible to real products. This helps us believe in the design and refine it with confidence. For us, that belief, built through emotion, storytelling and visualization, is what completes our creative process.
What’s your favorite way to wear the shoes? How should we style them?
We love pairing them with relaxed silhouettes such as loose trousers, sweatpants or cropped pants. They feel most natural in everyday moments, like taking a walk, visiting the supermarket or having a coffee around the neighborhood.
What’s something you’d like people to know about the brand?
For us, craftsmanship is something we deeply value. Between an idea and the final product, there are countless trials, adjustments and moments of care. That process, the craft itself, shapes everything from the silhouette of the shoe to the finish of the materials and even the size of the logo. When a product is made with attention and care, it gives a sense of visual balance and quiet satisfaction. We love feeling that ourselves, and we hope that sense of sincerity and detail is also felt by the people who wear our shoes.
What does the Hike Room girl look like? Or who do you hope would wear the brand?
We imagine her as someone who loves the outdoors but also appreciates street style. She enjoys spending time outside, exploring both the city and nature with a sense of ease. Her style feels effortless and genuine, blending comfort and function in a way that naturally reflects her everyday life.
In the age of Gorpcore, where does Hike Room sit, and how do you hope the brand grows beyond the trend?
We would not call ourselves a technical brand with the highest level of performance. Instead, we want to position Hike Room as something more approachable, a brand that even those who are not into Gorpcore can easily wear and enjoy.
We are not sure where the Gorpcore trend will go next, but we believe that people’s awareness of nature and sustainability will only continue to grow. With that in mind, we hope to develop more sustainable practices and become a brand that reflects that mindset. We also want to evolve by sharing ideas and inspiration with both high fashion and street brands that are creating truly original products. That kind of exchange keeps us inspired and helps us grow beyond any single trend.
What are some of your goals and plans for the future of Hike Room?
As a small brand, our first goal is to make products that our customers can genuinely enjoy and feel satisfied with. We want to keep growing step by step, focusing on making things that feel right to us. Over time, we hope to include more responsible materials in our designs and become a brand that can have a positive influence on both society and the culture of fashion.
Head to the Hike Room website to check out the kicks for yourself.
In other footwear news, Fidan Novruzova reimagines the ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 16.
