Carabiners at the ready — it's time to talk about gorpcore. Whether you've heard the word thrown around a million times by your friends who love to hike or if you've never heard the term until now, gorpcore is an aesthetic to know. But what is gorpcore? And is "gorp" even a real word?
It is now, thanks to the loyal fans of the outdoorsy style. Gorpcore focuses on utilitarian (a.k.a. useful, rather than attractive) clothing that was designed to help you hike steep terrain, keep the rain and chill out when camping, and carry around all of the necessary supplies for your nature-based activity...for fashion. Think super practical sneakers, Nalgene water bottles, windbreakers, and fleece pullovers.
Confusing, we know. But while it may seem like these new aesthetics are a dime a dozen, it can be helpful to get familiar with new terms that the Internet is coining to describe different types of styles. Understanding the dozens of "—core" aesthetics will help you articulate specific styles you can Google for pre-shopping inspiration, which leads to better purchases and a closet that you'll actually enjoy. So if the camping-chic windbreakers, puffer coats, cargo pants, and waterproof shoes of gorpcore are speaking to your heart, you'll want to read this guide explaining the answers to all of your questions — from "what is gorpcore," to how to shop it right now.
Where did the name gorpcore come from, and what does "gorp" stand for?
Gorp is an acronym. It's an abbreviated version of the phrase "good ol' raisins and peanuts" typically used by hikers to describe a variety of trail mixes. The Los Angeles Times wrote of the term all the way back in 1997, "[Gorp has] evolved to mean a mixture of all kinds of dried fruit and nuts, often with a bit of chocolate or other snack foods thrown in" particularly in circles of outdoor activity lovers and Girl Scouts.
The phrase "gorpcore" was first used in an article by Jason Chen for The Cut back in 2017, coined to describe the Patagonia-wearing, fleece-loving, "defiantly ugly" outdoors clothing that was slowly starting to trend that year.
Why is gorpcore trending?
“Gorpcore is essentially wearing traditionally functional and utilitarian outdoor wear outside of their intended use,” explained stylist Todd Johnson to CNN. While those who love gorpcore all have unique reasons for leaning into the fashion trend, common upsides include comfort, practicality, and accessibility.
The aesthetic takes pieces that weren't meant to be fashionable (like a pair of practical, waterproof hiking boots) and intentionally styling them to create a ~look~. You might even already own gorpcore items in your closet without knowing — that fleece your mom bought you from The North Face three years ago is totally gorpcore.
What styles and accessories are part of the gorpcore aesthetic?
There's luxury gorpcore (think $1500 ski jackets), street style gorpcore (Bella and Kendall play with this vibe sometimes), and super practical gorpcore that'll have you ready to climb a mountain at a moment's notice. But there are some standout gorpcore styles that span across every subcategory: you'll want to stock up on puffer coats, ponchos, rain jackets, fleeces, and colorful vests. For footwear, any all-weather, all-terrain shoes will do — think Tevas sandals, hiking boots, and non-chunky dad sneakers are gorpcore necessities. Oh, and don't forget your reusable water bottle and hiking backpack.
Which celebrities have worn gorpcore outfits?
Everyone from Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and A$AP Rocky to Justin and Hailey Bieber have gotten in on the gorpcore trend. Hailey recently stepped out in a casual outfit that is so gorpcore — the model wore a colorful sunset fleece pullover with a forest green baseball cap and chunky brown sneakers for an outing with friends in Los Angeles.
Her husband Justin Bieber has previously gotten in on the gorpcore action with a look of his own, layering a colorful, camping-ready windbreaker over a New York sweatshirt, baggy jeans, and practical sneakers. He even rocked out in black star-shaped pimple patches.
What are some gorpcore brands?
Unsurprisingly, a lot of gorpcore brands are simply outdoors, hiking, and camping gear clothing brands. These are a few common places to shop for gorpcore clothing.
- The North Face
- Patagonia
- Free People
- Teva
- REI
- Salomon
- Columbia
- Arc'teryx
- Mountain Hardware
- Helly Hansen
- Nalgene
How can I shop the gorpcore aesthetic?
We've rounded up some of our favorite gorpcore picks for you to shop for yourself, gift to your gorpiest friend, or browse for inspiration below.
fleece Synchilla® Fleece Anorak
FP Movement Hit The Slopes Printed Fleece Jacket
The North Face Denali Pullover
KAVU Rope Bag
REI Co-op Nalgene Sustain Graphic Water Bottle
Sunhiker Small Water Resistant Hiking Backpack
Teva Geotrecca Mid
Teva All Gender Hurricane XLT2
Hannah is the assistant shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things from cute apartment decor to trendy fashion finds, TikTok products that are actually worth your $$$, and the perfect gift to buy for your boyfriend's mom. She previously wrote for Seventeen and CR Fashion Book. Follow her on Instagram for hot takes on red carpet fashion and unhinged updates on the books she’s reading on the train.
