The essence of NIKE ACG lies in the wilderness of Portland, Oregon.
The relationship between NIKE and Portland, Oregon is well known. Nike's headquarters have been in Portland since before the brand was founded in 1968, and to this day, the company is headquartered in Portland. Portland is also known as the site of the hippie movement of the 1970s, where the DIY spirit is still very much alive today. In recent years, Nike has also made a name for itself around the world with its third wave coffee and original creations such as the ACE HOTEL. Just a 15-minute drive from downtown, the area offers an astonishing abundance of nature, and outdoor activities are a natural part of the daily lives of its residents. This is the perfect place for the "NIKE ACG," which is designed for people who travel between the city and the great outdoors, in all conditions. So, to experience the latest NIKE ACG, we headed to Portland, the holy land of Nike.
The overwhelming wilderness of Oregon , which I experienced with NIKE ACG.
The main purpose of this tour was to attend the NIKE ACG's new product launch. However, since we had come all the way to Portland, Oregon, there was no way that we could just look at and touch the items in a room somewhere and be done with it. Still, I was pleasantly surprised to be taken to such a variety of places on this trip.
First of all, there is the waterfall. It takes about 40 minutes by car from the center of Portland. It is said that there are more than 100 waterfalls along the Historic Columbia River Highway, which runs through the Columbia River Gorge. There are hiking trails that connect these waterfalls, and at some points you can actually get very close to the waterfalls, including Latourelle Falls, which we hiked to this time.
The waterfall is about 75 meters long and is surrounded by a 3-kilometer looped trekking trail. It was April when we visited , but it was still damp near the falls. The spray from the waterfalls was amazing and a bit like a shower, and it was a great refreshment in the middle of the hike.
Lightness like running to the outdoors.
Here are the key shoes. The Nike ACG React Terra Gobi, which we experienced on this tour, features Nike React technology cushioning and a stretchy material upper that can handle inclement weather. In other words, it is a shoe that can be used both outdoors and indoors.
The heel and toe come with protruding rubber and the forefoot pads come with sticky rubber shaped like serrated teeth to enhance performance on the trail. They are designed as slip-on shoes that can be slipped on and off as they are, and the long knob makes them very easy to put on and take off. As the name "NIKE ACG" implies, these shoes are "All Conditions Gear," and they are comfortable to wear and perform at their best under any conditions.
The presentation of the "Nike ACG React Terra Gorby" by Jeff Atinza, Product Director, was held with a waterfall in the background. The presentation, which was given while wearing the actual shoes, was very persuasive and had us nodding our heads deeply.
The trail ended at Guy W. Talbot State Park, a famous picnic spot.
The colors released on April 20 were the yellow mentioned earlier and this blue. The lightweight, grippy soles were comfortable to walk on, even on damp weather ground, such as slippery stones or slightly damp soil. As one would expect from NIKE ACG , they should be.
The outdoors in Portland is a river.
The next stop was the Hood River , a tributary to the Columbia River. The river has no waves, so kite riding and other water sports are recommended. River sports are so popular in Portland that even on the Willamette River, which runs through the city, there are people kayaking.
To fill our bellies after our short trek, we were served fresh salmon on skewers, grilled over a campfire. The salmon was fresh enough to be eaten raw, but a little searing made it even juicier.
Senior Designer Rebecca Alman gave a presentation about the NIKE ACG Summer 19 collection in front of a campfire.
This collection started with a return to the origins of NIKE ACG . We went back to the archives and rethought not only the look, but also the reason why NIKE ACG was created in the first place. We wanted to go to the outdoors, come back to the city, and have fun again. This spirit of having fun is at the core of NIKE ACG, and it remains a big part of the brand to this day.
The clothing shown off featured a slightly larger silhouette, many pockets, mesh material for breathability, and pop colors. The shorts Rebecca is holding in her hand are quick-drying shorts that dry quickly when wet, so they could be used for trail running, for example. The size and position of the pockets have been carefully considered in order to function in both outdoor and indoor environments. Incidentally, the pattern used is from the "NIKE ACG" archives.
The packable jacket, which can be stored in a small bag, is a necessity for smart adaptation to sudden changes in temperature. The three-dimensional shape of the hood, which is made up of three sides, and the water-resistant fabrics reduce the stress caused by rain.
This vest with many pockets is a great item for both in town and outdoors. The mesh material makes it lightweight, and just by wearing it, you can accentuate it.
We asked Rebecca, who is also in charge of design at NIKELAB, a division that develops mainly through collaboration, about the future of NIKE ACG and the city of Portland.
I think it's important to strike a balance between performance (functionality) and style. How can we combine the unique style of NIKE ACG with the new inventions that Nike continues to study and research on a regular basis? That is what is important. I am also very excited that we will be expanding our women's lineup in the future. I am not from Portland, but when describing Portland, someone described it as "a very large garden," which really struck me. It is true that there are not many places where you can drive 15 to 20 minutes and be in touch with nature like this.
Two faces of the same state.
The group gets into the car again from Hood River and is transported somewhere. A little tired from the hike and full from the delicious salmon, I fell asleep in the car. When I woke up, I looked out the window and saw that the view I had just seen was no longer there, but a world of pure white snow! I couldn't believe how different it was, even though we were only about an hour south in the same state of Oregon. . I noticed that my breath in the car had turned white as well.
It is no surprise that the functionality of the gear remains intact even in the snow. The term "all-conditions gear" is not a misnomer. However, it is cold.
After walking through a snowstorm, I arrived at the Timberline Lodge, where the movie "The Shining" was filmed. This iconic building, designated as an Important Historic Landmark in the U.S., is located at the foot of Mount Hood, which is 3,429 meters above sea level and has been known to the Japanese as "Oregon's Mount Fuji. In winter, the location is perfect for snow lovers, as they can ski right from the lifts right in front of the building. We stayed here for the first night. The long day was finally over.
Trekking is the best way to feel nature.
The next day, we headed to the Salmon River, a great place for beginners, which is about 40 minutes south of the lodge. Compared to yesterday's waterfall, the slope was relatively flat, and the river was gingerly followed along the river into the forest.
The oversized jacket has a back pocket on the back to hold water or other items when hiking. This feature, of course, is also very useful in town.
On the way, we found a bigfoot representing an American UMA! This entertaining aspect is hard to find in Japanese people, so I was more excited than I thought I would be.
Incidentally, the heel portion has reflectors that reflect the light, so you can feel safe even on dark night streets.
All the trees are covered with algae , creating a mysterious deep green color. The air we breathe is somehow fresh and pleasant. It is a blessing to be able to take a deep breath in such an environment. So, our tour, in which we walked and walked and enjoyed nature, came to an end.
Finally, here is Tinker Hatfield's text, which serves as a statement for the "NIKE ACG".
. speed, durability, and performance . . . to combine urban living with the wild outdoors. But the most important thing is to have fun. That's what it's all about. It's not about how you survive a month on Everest, it's about driving up the canyon with a group of people you know, running up the trail, getting a little crazy, and getting back to the car in time for a beer at night.
The development of gear that makes people want to go outdoors is made possible by the spirit of "having fun. My impression of Portland as the home of Nike's headquarters had changed by the end of the trip to one of a place where nature and the city coexist in harmony. I am also grateful to NIKE ACG for providing me with the best gear to protect me from the various conditions (I never thought I would experience snowy mountains in April) throughout the two days of the trip.
