Calm, Cool and Capable.
Hiking Series for Casca Designs Inc.
January 2023
The Casca brand, which takes its name from the Cascade mountain range in the Pacific Northwest, has always been rooted in the demanding, all-weather conditions of this local terrain. In late 2022, I embarked on the development of three new styles, featuring low-top designs that seamlessly blended Casca's refined aesthetics with top-notch outdoor performance.
Built on the Vibram Nuasi sole, each of the three models was tailored to the specific needs of different types of outdoor enthusiasts - The Glamper, The Day Tripper, and The Weekend Warrior.
The Glamper was created as a laid-back, easy-on and easy-off option, perfect for recharging in nature. The Day Tripper offered a more minimal aesthetic suitable for urban streets, while incorporating durable and weather-resistant materials capable of handling the rigours of the great outdoors. Lastly, The Weekend Warrior style is the most rugged choice, featuring a seam-sealed waterproof liner, ripstop nylon panels, and rubberized panels in high-abrasion zones.
All three styles were required sourcing suitable stock technical materials and soles. By using open-mold soles from Vibram® and off-the-shelf materials, we were able to keep development costs and initial order quantities low, allowing us to trial this new category without making a substantial investment.
