Of all the hobbies that made it out of the pandemic unabandoned (RIP to all of the sourdough starters), hiking might be it. Finding solace in the great outdoors, if even for a moment, has been shown to reduce stress by clearing the mind and offer a slew of physical benefits. But clothes suitable for this activity for the most part have been lackluster, with a bad reputation for being practical and not particularly stylish. Thankfully in the last few years that’s changed as enthusiasts have shown that yes, you can wear creative outfits in the woods that also happen to be functional. Reimagining pieces from stalwart brands like Arcteryx and The North Face as well as diving into lesser-known labels, they’re changing the perception of hiking from granola to more fashion-forward.
One person doing this well is Sabrina Bloedorn. The Vancouver-based creator has grown a following for her ability to combine fashion and the outdoors in a manner that fuses style and practicality. Whether it’s trekking the Alps or the lush jungles of Costa Rica, Bloedorn approaches her outfits with a sense of curiosity, fearlessness and creativity. “To be seen as a good hiker, women felt they had to dress like everyone else and not stand out too much. Honestly, I hated that. I love standing out. I grew up watching sci-fi films, obsessing over the outfits in them, and I wanted to bring that same energy onto the trail,” she explained.
