Arc’teryx unveils its first in-house designed footwear line

Vertex Alpine, Sylan, Kragg: the Canadian brand is also starting to get serious about footwear

In the vast outdoor landscape, few brands can boast the same prestige as
Arc’teryx
. In 1989 the company entered the climbing market by producing ultra-high performance harnesses, the DNA has over the years remained rooted in the mountain scenario, with the three pillars dictating the direction: functional, aesthetic, dynamic. Lightness, the highest quality and maximum performance are unfailing features of the Canadian brand’s products and are also guaranteed through constant collaboration with athletes and mountaineers.

Two and a half years ago, following the mantra of innovation first, a small Portland-based team began the journey into the world of footwear with the dream of sooner or later matching the performance levels already celebrated for apparel. The spring 2024 collection represents a two-year effort that completely renews the existing range with an unprecedented convergence of two seemingly distant worlds: running and climbing.

The collection was presented in a world premiere by an exceptional panel consisting of the three main players in Arc’teryx Footwear:

Ovi Garcia, VP footwear with a 15-year multidisciplinary background in Nike, Pam McNelis, senior director of global footwear development with a background in the most celebrated outdoor brands from Nike to Under Armour to Columbia and collaborations with high-profile and Josh Herr, Senior Director for footwear design with more than 20 years of industry expertise and collaborations with world-class athletes.

“The way we move in the mountains is evolving, we see this especially from what the athletes we collaborate with are telling us, challenging and overcoming the canons of outdoor disciplines and categorizations in the world of footwear. Our design wants to go and blur the barriers between the different worlds by playing with different factors and specifically the speed of running and the technicality of climbing.” So we can say that this results in the emergence of approach shoes created for speed and running shoes created for climbing mountains – “A climbing shoe for speed, a running shoe for climbing.”

Vertex Alpine: running-inspired approach shoe

Vertex Alpine, one of the collection’s flagship models, was inspired by two Arc’teryx team athletes, trail runner Eric Carter and mountaineer Mike Gardner. The previous model identified itself as a climbing-inspired running shoe; today it evolves into a running-inspired approach shoe. With integrated elastic collar, front lace garage, Matryx upper with a climbing and ascent-oriented sole and durability exceeding 1000km. The sole is revolutionary through the use of a Vibram climbing compound used for the first time in an approach shoe. The ideal day for Vertex Alpine is divided into a departure from the valley, an ascent to the top of a mountain, technical traverses to concatenate multiple peaks, and then return to the base. Is it an approach shoe or a fast shoe? Also available in a GTX version for maximum water repellency, Vertex Alpine balances stability and grip with a lightweight, comfortable design designed for speed.

Sylan: Speed is the name of the game

Born out of a discussion between teams and athletes during the Arc’teryx Alpine Academy in Chamonix, Sylan is a shoe for speed, and you can tell that right from the look: a rockered last, a super-lightweight upper. Although it was not created to win races but rather to push hard on trails in forests and mountains, it won the first race in which it was used. Sylan is the name of one of the Norwegian mountain ranges where two of the Arc’teryx athletes run daily-Johanna Åström and Henriette Albon. With integrated collar to block debris access, lace garage to hide laces, Matryx upper. Available with and without GTX membrane. The midsole is made of dual-density foam capable of being soft but providing maximum responsiveness that gives the feeling of propulsion that you look for in such a shoe. The sole is Vibram MegaGrip with 6mm lugs for maximum grip even at high speeds downhill.

Kragg: the ultimate slip-on for days at the crag

Climbers will understand at first glance what this shoe was designed for where the masses will ask, “but what is it?” Born out of a conversation between two of Arcteryx’s designers, Mike Foley and Rebecca Bowman, Kragg is for days at the crag alternating between hard climbs and moments of rest, approaches to fantastic boulders, but also for everyday climbers. The mood of the climbers is one and well identified: the relaxed fit at least as much as the approach to life, the search for the best rock with the least effort to reach it. Kragg’s approach is not technical, and is aimed at pre, post moments in the breaks from activity with an eye toward the terrains in which one moves (a comfortable but simple slipper is not always suitable). A heel that folds inward so that Kragg can also be worn as a sabot, uppers with maximum comfort and breathability, but above all, a great cushioning insole and heel reinforcement for maximum protection and recovery. Finally, a TPU outer rim designed to protect during approaches and a Vibram sole. Kragg is an iconic shoe that expresses to the fullest in the brand’s DNA, moving seamlessly from the mountains to everyday life.

This collection is but the beginning of a new path. “Our intent is not to get a broad line but rather to go deep with research and development of products to move fast and efficiently in the mountains,” states Ovi Garcia. More news is expected in the fall, but what will keep everyone engaged are the stories behind each model that capture its essence.

Vertex Alpine, Sylan and Kragg are available from March 2024. To learn more, visit arcteryx.com

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