If we had to pick a brand of the year for 2026 so far, it might well be Nike ACG. The Swoosh's outdoor arm has undergone something of a relaunch in recent months, and it hasn't exactly done so quietly. You might remember we wrote about its viral All Conditions Express activation, where an old Italian passenger train was repurposed as a rolling base camp for mountain adventures. Now ACG is following up with this. A brand new hiking boot – the Zegama Hike – based on Nike's best-selling trail shoe of the same name.
Landing in July, the mid-cut boot takes its cues from the Nike Zegama Trail and stretches them into something built for longer days. The idea is straightforward. Strip away the bulk of traditional hiking footwear, keep the cushioning and grip where it matters, and deliver something that feels closer to a running shoe than a boot.
Underfoot, that means a stacked foam setup built around ZoomX – soft, responsive, and tuned for distance – supported by a firmer layer to stabilise when the terrain turns uneven. It’s paired with a Vibram Megagrip outsole, which should tell you most of what you need to know about traction. Wet rock, loose gravel, steep descents – it’s all covered.
A sleeker alternative
Up top, ACG has leaned into a more technical, almost hybridised construction. There’s a roomier forefoot for long-haul comfort, reinforced zones around the toe and heel, and an integrated ankle gaiter to keep debris out. The fit system is geared towards lockdown rather than rigidity – secure, but not restrictive.
What’s more interesting is where this sits culturally. Hiking footwear (note the approach shoe trend we recently wrote about) has been drifting in this direction for a while now, moving away from heavy-duty leather boots towards lighter, more adaptable silhouettes that can handle mixed terrain without feeling overbuilt.
