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.
Courtesy of Sabrina Bloedorn.
The result is wide-leg hiking pants worn with dramatic jackets, the occasional skirt, and topped off with exaggerated eyewear, with the majority sourced through Instagram. “The best place for outdoor style is Asia, they always carry the most fashion-forward technical brands,” she said. From a head-to-toe blue ensemble by the cult favorite Japanese label Snow Peak to sleek tanks and canvas pants from Singapore-based Dirty Manners to bright outerwear from South Korea’s Kolon Sport, Bloedorn curates a unique list of labels that turn all preconceived notions of technical wear on their head. Styled in her unique way, she’s quick to point out that while it’s striking in photos, everything also serves a purpose. “If I’m hiking the approach and there’s a lot of shrub and tree coverage, I’ll wear a lightweight technical skirt to keep my tights from snagging. I’ll throw on a bandana or hat, too, for sun protection. Then once I get to the scramble, I’ll take the skirt off, pack it away, and put on sunglasses.”
Bloedorn isn’t alone in her desire to have fun with style on the trail, as she’s noticed plenty of other like-minded hikers. “It’s been fun to see people getting confident in their own style. That’s such a beautiful thing,” she said. As for advice for anyone who might be hesitant about wearing a flashy outfit similar to hers on the trail? Bloedorn offered this advice: “You can be the most striking person on the mountain and the strongest one on it. Those were never opposite things.”
