If you're anything like me, you'll regard hiking as an activity for fit, sinewy folk who get their kicks tramping through wild terrain and navigating remote landscapes. You can appreciate the venture, but you're better-suited to brunch, not bivouacking.
For context, remote for me is the West Coast - of Auckland. As someone typically slathered in foundation and fake tan, I'm not very water-resistant, and as someone whose hips seized while walking along Mission Bay's esplanade last weekend, I'm also not very agile.
Thankfully, athleisure is no longer for the athletes among us. Mere mortals clad in leggings and trainers can comfortably go about their day without plans to head to the gym for a spot of pilates. Activewear is not just for the active - and now, hiking boots are not just for the hikers.
With autumn in full swing, people are busting out their trusty ankle boots and dusting off their Dr Martens - but this season, hiking boots are having a moment. Designers have been putting their spin on the outdoorsy staple with sturdier styles and rugged, dependable materials such as leather and mesh that are capable of weathering the great outdoors - whether or not you want to wear them for that purpose is completely up to you.
Although not an accessory for all tastes, a classic, laced hiking boot can lend itself to a striking and very seasonal look when paired with an autumnal aesthetic: think chunky knits, quilted fabrics, turtlenecks and tartan, but now with the footwear to boot. We still have proverbial mountains to climb, after all.
With winter looming on the horizon, we've put together our top picks for high-fashion, stylish hiking boots you can rock from the mountains to the mall.
Teva Ridgeview Mid or Grandview GTX, RRP$300 - $330
Jimmy Choo X Timberland Sequin-Embellished Boots, RRP$1325
Gucci X The North Face GG-Canvas Hiking Boots, RRP$2156
Canada Goose Journey Suede-Trimmed Textured Leather Ankle Boots, RRP$1440
Palladium Revolt Boot TX, Black, RRP$230
Buffalo Aspha NC Mid Vegan Boot, Beige, RRP$230
Dr Martens X Futura 1460, Olive, RRP$380.
