Hiking Gaiter
Hikerkind SS25 Accessory Project
role
Designer
skills of note
product design, sample making
ABOUT
As a part of my internship for Hikerkind, I saw an opportunity in their product offering for small run accessories that communicate the brand's celebration of women in the outdoors.
Designing a gaiter felt like the perfect way to communicate their objective of bringing a fashionable take to utility as a gaiter is traditionally a utilitarian object without much energy put towards aesthetic.
MOODBOARD
process
I started the design process in the library looking at historical versions of gaiters.
There purpose has swung between highly functional in war times to only aesthetic in the 1910s.
function
This research led me to define what makes a gaiter a gaiter. This was my conclusion from a technical perspective:
Gaiter creates a seal around shoe to protect from debris entering the top of the shoe & stays in place as wearer moves
Gaiter anchors to shoe
CUSTOMER PROFILES
It was important to me to think about the different end users of this object and how they would interact with it differently.
Thru-hikers
Utility: 85%, Aesthetics: 15%
Technical user
Prefers ultra-light gear
Long term use
Day hikers
Utility: 65%, Aesthetics: 35%
Technical user who cares about aesthetics
Suburban / small cities
Short-term use periods over a long period of time
Gorp girls
Utility: 15%, Aesthetics: 85%
Fashion forward, aesthetic driven
City dweller
Interested in a hybrid style that can be worn in city & outdoors
AESTHETIC REFERENCES
Design principle feedback
I presented three different aesthetic direction to my boss to see which direction they leaned towards.
We both agreed that 90s sport felt most relevant.
SKETCHING
process
Once I felt confident in the foundation of the design, I started sketching ideas out. I ended up landing on the idea of mimicking a sock because it served two purposes:
the shirring at the ankle creates a seal where debris can't get inside
aesthetically, the ruffle created a the top of the ankle looks like a sock and the shirring preserves the silhouette of the ankle
fabric manipulation exploration
I tested out different methods of shirring but eventually landed on using a 3" elastic band to enhance comfort on the inside of the gaiter
PROTOTYPE 1
Design principle feedback
I presented the design to my bosses and they felt it captured their brand by being both aesthetic and highly functional.
Next steps
I am in the midst of doing more prototypes but I will be overseeing the production of a small run of gaiters for their SS25 collection!
