Is Team USA’s Olympic Podium Kit Inspired by Gorpcore?

It’s also true that outdoor outfitters like The North Face, Patagonia and countless others have offered technical pants with integrated belts for years. Nike even sells a few pairs under the ACG, ISPA and Tech Line sub-labels, although the belt design here does look quite different from Nike’s other takes. 

So what’s the story here?

The likely answer is that designers felt pants intended for a momentous occasion on the level of winning an Olympic Medal warranted a bit of design distinction. To that point, these pants do look a lot like a hybrid between athletic wear and traditional dress pants, which makes sense given they’re meant for a formal moment of athletic achievement.

But it’s also not a stretch to think that the Gorpcore trend, which, as Wikipedia summarizes, is a term used to describe when “outerwear typically designed for outdoor recreation is worn as streetwear,” might’ve finally conquered the most mainstream cultural touchstones on earth. 

Whatever the reasoning, the bottom line is that there’s more to these pants than initially meets the eye, and if you like the vibes, they’re available for sale from Nike directly for a premium price. If you do splurge for them, don’t let people catch you loosening that waistband after a heavy brunch though.

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