Brief Lesson on Nike ACG

Nike ACG, which stands for All Conditions Gear, is a subcategory within Nike that officially originated in 1989 as a niche brand that was created specifically to prepare people to take on the great outdoors and all of Mother Nature’s elements. However, before Nike gave birth to the ACG line, Nike had already begun dabbling in outdoor footwear in 1981. That year, Nike released the Lava Dome, Magma, and Approach as its first approach to selling gear for hikers, rock climbers, travelers, explorers, etc. The idea to start catering to outdoor athletes came about after Nike received an image in which mountain climber John Roskelley, wearing busted Nike LDV runners, sat atop K2, the world’s second largest mountain within the Himalayan ranges. That expedition in 1978 led to Nike developing lightweight hiking shoes in 1980 to the satisfaction of people who wanted to race up a mountain in lightweight footwear.

Today, ACG is more alive within the sneaker community than ever finding itself in mainstream sneaker talk. This sub brand has somewhat of a cult following in which people, who love the innovative works of ACG, purchase and collect all kinds of ACG branded footwear and apparel. Fortunately, Nike is continually feeding the avid ACG consumer with new creative models built for the outdoors and remodeling old silhouettes to include newer technologies that make a hike or trail run more comfortable. Let me introduce you to some well known ACG footwear. Within the past few years, here are some of the classic models from the 90s that Nike has brought back and given us:

• ACG Air Mowabb

• ACG Air Revaderchi

• ACG Wildwood

• ACG Okwahn II

Each of the above models were created and released between the years 1989 and 1998, and they have been re-engineered and reemerged in recent years. Models that Nike ACG has recently manufactured to push the line further beyond its historical success include:

• ACG Mountain Fly GORE-TEX

• ACG Air Nasu

• ACG Air Zoom AO

• ACG Zoom Terra Zaherra

• ACG Dog Mountain

Although these models are aesthetically pleasing, you might be asking "How well do they really hold up? And do they really perform as advertised in harsh conditions and on slippery slopes or rugged terrains?" Luckily, I was able to put a couple of the above models to the test. The Air Mowabb, the Air Nasu, and the Mountain Fly GORE-TEX are some of the ACG sneakers that have lived up and served me well in certain environmental conditions. Even though I did not go on a tough expedition or hike up a mountain like a hiker who takes these climbs seriously, I had an opportunity to get a feel for what ACG footwear can do. Watch this short clip below to see my hike in the Air Mowabb to Laurel Falls in the Smoky Mountains.

After traveling up the mountain to the waterfall and back down, I thought about how well the Air Mowabb performed. Even though my legs were tired from only 3 miles of walking, it was pleasant to know that my feet didn’t ache or feel sore from walking, climbing, or stepping on rocks. I’m sure legendary Nike sneaker designer, Tinker Hatfield, would tell me that he designed the Mowabb to “conform to the surface it’s on rather than dig into it” (The Ultimate Sneaker Book - Sneaker Freaker Issue 14). A man true to his word, it felt like the Mowabb did exactly that. Beat up from the hike, the Mowabb stayed intact and its ready for whatever nature has to throw at it.

So how does ACG crossover to the typical sneakerhead who lives in the city and hardly partakes in outdoor activities? Typically, sneakerheads who love ACG gravitate to the classic color combinations and exotic models of the brand’s footwear. ACG has historically distinct color combinations and hues that have caught people’s eye and helped ingratiate sneakers like the Mowabb into urban fashion. The vintage colors have even gone beyond this sub group’s performance sneakers and created a life of their own in other Nike branches. That crossover into other major Nike silhouettes shows just how stylish ACG has been and will continue to be. For example, the Nike SB Dunk Low ACG Terra directly referenced the Air Terra by mimicking its yellow laces, black base, red Nike check, purple panels, and speckled midsole. When you see that purple, red, and yellow, you automatically know it was inspired by an ACG shoe.

Furthermore, I would be reluctant to not emphasize the utilization of the technology and robustness of these sneakers. Imagine you have plans to go to a festival or fair or you’re running around the city on a rainy or snowy day or you’re just in the mood for a comfortable sneaker that you can wear throughout a long day. On days like those, it’s effective to throw on an Air Mowabb, an Air Nasu GORE-TEX, or Mountain Fly GORE-TEX. Why? Because these sneakers are light on your feet and made to withstand the cold and wet weather or deal with dirty, rugged environments. Additionally and most importantly, ACG sneakers look good on feet in any condition, and that's what ACG followers love about the brand.

Now, to my local peers in New Orleans, if you’re questioning when and where you can wear ACG sneakers, let me remind you of all of the situations in which this specific brand can be useful and fashionable. For one, the rain is a variable to consider when you’re thinking about how to get fresh without causing water damage to your Jordans, Dunks, or Air Force 1s. That can be avoided altogether by throwing on a pair of ACG sneakers that are made with GORE-TEX materials. For those who don’t know, GORE-TEX makes weather proof material and collaborates with major brands to craft sneakers and apparel with that material. So that predicament of dealing with water can be dealt with if you have ACG GORE-TEX on your feet. In addition to thinking about the wet weather, let’s think about how many times we enjoy events that take place outside in the French Quarter, the Fair Grounds, or around the city during parades. We’re entering festival season and I’m already thinking about what comfortable shoe that I can wear and beat up. Being surrounded by a lot of people and walking through dirt or mud to grab a bite to eat during a festival can be risky when you’re thinking about the potential scuffs or abuse that your Cool Grey 11s for example will take. The point I’m trying to make is that Nike ACG builds footwear that the sneaker community tends to love and consider fashionable but, at the same time, is light and robust enough to enjoy all day at the Jazz Festival. If you’re not an outdoors-men who takes hikes, camps, or goes fishing, ACG is still useful in the concrete jungle of a city.

Hopefully this enlightened you to a sub brand under Nike that doesn’t get a lot of love or hype in my opinion. ACG has historical significance, and it’s only getting better as technology evolves. Pay attention to some of the sneakers that have come out recently that are still sitting on shelves or going on sale, and look forward to what’s coming this year. As the seasons change, Nike tends to put out ACG footwear that is made specifically for the season in which we are entering or currently in. So get you a pair and enjoy what ACG has brought to the industry. One notable shoe coming soon that you should keep an eye out for and has a historical backstory is the ACG Air Mada. Stay tuned for that silhouette coming to retailers in the near future.