Three of the Best - Crossover Footwear

June 9, 2022

You know the ones, you’re not about to scale Everest in them, but you could comfortably slip them on for a moderate hike or a decent trail run. And once you’ve carried out your cardio there’s no need to head straight home for a change of footwear before that well-earned post-workout pint in the beer garden or flat white and pastry on the high street.

These fellas will do a decent job of keeping your lower digits in check, whilst not making you look like you’ve forgotten your trusty Peter Storm and loyal Labrador when not on the job.

Salomon XT 6

Needing no further introduction after previously being awarded “Sneaker of The Year” by GQ, French ski brand come trail running specialist Salomon made one hell of a decision when they brought these bad boys out of the vault in 2016.

Redressed in a huge variety of mad colour ways, they instantly appealed not only to the ultra-marathon runners for whom they were initially intended but also to international fashion bloggers and hip celebrities including Rhianna and Hector Bellerin.

Still going strong six years later, this modern classic is now as at home in End Clothing and Sneakersnstuff as Blacks. Train hard, look good, buy them in more colours, repeat.

Nike ACG Air Nasu

The Oregon based behemoth’s outdoorsy ACG (All Conditions Gear) range has now been running (no pun intended) for over thirty years, during which time it has developed from a niche following to an integral part of their arsenal, with sell out products and launches to rival their lifestyle range.

Well, what else would you expect from Nike’s marketing crack team?

Anyway, if you can get hold of a pair, these particular numbers are an absolute gem. Combining sticky grip soles with distinctive 90’s looks in three solid gold unisex colour ways is a recipe that is as delicious on a muddy trek as on Shoreditch High Street. Win-win.

Adidas Terrex Free Hiker Gore Tex

The brand with the three stripes is not usually one that is associated with hiking, however, their Terrex range is out to change this, and the Free Hiker is top drawer.

Let’s start with the practicality specs - Gore Tex lining keeps your tootsies dry, trademark Boost sole adds spring (and cushioning) to your step and Continental rubber grips add…well, grip. They’re also surprisingly lightweight for offering such a host of features.

Then there’s the added style points. Adidas have managed to make these look as at home walking the Bermondsey Beer Mile as The Brecon Beacons. They’re available in a wide variety of colours, for me the picks of the bunch, and the most wearable, are the OG all black and light brown (or as Adidas coins them Beige Tone/Victory