Appeal, Mainstream
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The surprising tendency for technical products and trends from the outdoor world to find their way into mass culture. Here are a few recent examples.
1995: The North Face’s Nuptse puffy jackets, made to withstand Himalayan-level cold and wind, begin blanketing the streets and subways of New York City and its outer boroughs. They are typically paired with Timberland boots.
2002: Nalgene bottles can be found on nearly every backpack on every college campus, attached with a carabiner.
2011: A craze for long hackle feathers in women’s hair extensions and earrings leads to shortages among fly tiers, and some tackle shops refuse to sell them to young, fashionable women.
2014–15: Hipsters and fashionistas go crazy for all things outdoorsy. To the shock of rafting guides everywhere, Teva collaborates with high-fashion retailer Opening Ceremony on a line of sandals that show up on runways.