Nike ACG (short for All Conditions Gear) was formed as a result of Nike’s 1981 hiking range, which birthed three silhouettes that were ready for the outdoors, the Approach (the first Nike shoe to feature GORE-TEX), the Magma (an ankle-high, suede-bound boot) and the Lava Dome (a sportswear silhouette adapted for the outdoors). The original idea was to create a range of sporty, durable shoes that were super lightweight, taking the heaviness out of the traditional trail and hiking boots that tended to be bulky and uncomfortable.

The Air Pegasus ACG was the first to feature the acronym, which was then proceeded by the Son of Lava Dome and the Wildwood when ACG officially launched in 1989, alongside a range of weather-resistant clothing for extreme environments. The marketing for ACG products was on point, often featuring risque slogans and funny images, giving them an edge compared to the by-the-book outdoor brands the world was used to.

The products themselves were making hiking and cross-country adventuring cool again, with styles like the Mowabb that fused the Wildwood with the incredibly popular Air Huarache whose legacy has stood the test of time to present day. The design team itself featured aircraft interior designer Peter Frogg, the iconic Tinker Hatfield who was responsible for most of Nike’s hard-hitters and then Errolson Hugh, the head designer for ACRONYM, during the company’s relaunch in 2014.

We’ve given two of our favourite styles the spotlight, introducing the Air Mada and the ACG Lowcate. The Air Mada features windproof and waterproof tech, with a neoprene upper and durable leather overlays. A chunky lugged outsole with a sticky rubber toe cap gives you extra grip when scrambling over boulders, whilst the round laces make it easy to fasten the shoe with gloves on. The ACG Lowcate features a breathable mesh upper with protective suede overlays, a cutaway side swoosh, a Trailframe shank above the midsole for added support and a specially designed lug sole

Check out our full range of ACG online and in-store at Wellgosh.

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