Slowing Down and Embracing the Cyclical Nature of Life
Hiking Patrol
At a time when the lines between the digital and physical worlds are becoming increasingly blurred, creatives are willing to capitalise on this emerging grey area and treat it as a space to experiment beyond what they previously thought was possible. One of the platforms making the most of the opportunities they have forged and been presented is Hiking Patrol, an Instagram page boasting just shy of 230,000 followers that made the jump into launching its eponymous apparel line last season, backed up by a string of collaborations with the likes of Diemme and Keen.
Founded by Wai Tsui in 2019, Hiking Patrol was started as an extension of Wai’s growing interest in the emerging outdoors space, where brands were looking to capture the attention of a new consumer while creating hybrid products that could exist in outdoor and urban settings. Hiking Patrol latched onto this nuance, which has since become the norm, and turned into a digital platform where lifestyle meets outdoor exploration. For reference, on Hiking Patrol’s feed, you’ll see the latest and greatest from brands like DESCENTE ALLTERRAIN to Hoka’s latest sneaker-loafer hybrid.
In the six years since then, Hiking Patrol has grown into a multidisciplinary creative force. It has collaborated on footwear, launched a fully-fledged apparel line, and launched brand campaigns, all in the pursuit of ‘creating tools to enrich the wearer’s experience in outdoor and urban settings’.
As of Autumn/Winter ‘24, Wai and his business partner, who prefers to remain behind the scenes, clothing design has become the next point of focus in Hiking Patrol’s evolution. Not entirely satisfied with the offering provided by brands in the field, Wai wanted to capture a hybridised version that could exist in outdoor and urban settings without compromising on performance or aesthetics, a concept heavily rooted in Hiking Patrol’s philosophy and weaved into each garment.
In the wake of a personal showing of its Autumn/Winter ‘25 collection during Paris Fashion Week, I connected with Wai to learn more about its forthcoming release and how it is tailored to archetypal spring & summer conditions.
HHV: With Spring/Summer ’25 being Hiking Patrol’s second collection, how did you approach it differently from Autumn/Winter?
HP: With our second collection, we wanted to capture the essence of change and renewal. AW24 was about setting the foundation, establishing a functional yet contemporary outdoor aesthetic. SS25, titled “Transition,” explores adaptability, reflecting the shift from winter’s introspection to spring and summer’s vibrancy. The focus was on movement, breathability, and pieces that evolve with the wearer’s lifestyle, ensuring they can transition seamlessly between environments.
HHV: Despite the vast differences between Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter, how do you approach each collection individually and still carry the same principles regardless of the weather and the obstacles it throws you?
HP: Regardless of the season, our approach remains rooted in versatility, function, and progression. Each collection responds to its specific conditions, but our core philosophy stays the same: creating garments that are tools for exploration. While AW collections emphasise insulation and protection, SS25 prioritises lightness, adaptability, and effortless layering. It’s about embracing change while staying connected to our foundational principles of outdoor performance and everyday utility.
HHV: Can you tell us about the collection, its composition, and how these garments are tailored to archetypal spring/summer conditions?
HP: SS25 consists of lightweight outerwear, technical shirting, versatile pants, and adaptable accessories, all designed for the fluidity of warmer seasons. Inspired by movement and transformation, we incorporated moisture-wicking, soft-shell, light technical fabrics, and quick-dry properties to enhance functionality across varied climates. The collection emphasises breathability and adaptability, ensuring each piece transitions effortlessly between outdoor and city settings.
HHV: What were the primary inspirations behind this collection, including the chosen designs and their colours, for example?
HP: The Spring/Summer 2025 “Transition” collection is inspired by the cyclical nature of life, reflecting the constant movement and renewal in both nature and human experience. It embodies the shift from the introspection of fall and winter to the energy and vitality of spring and summer, capturing the essence of transformation and evolution.
The designs are centred around fluidity and adaptability; lightweight silhouettes, versatile layering, and breathable materials emphasise movement and comfort, aligning with the season’s changing conditions.
The colour palette reflects the natural progression of the seasons, drawing from muted earth tones, soft blues, and diffused greys that gradually transition into warmer hues inspired by early morning light and sunlit landscapes. This balance of tones represents the harmony between past and future, structure and spontaneity, a key theme in the collection.
HHV: How does this season balance aesthetics and the functional requirements of outdoor apparel? Did you incorporate any specific technologies or materials to assist with this?
HP: Water-repellent coatings protect against sudden weather changes, while stretch-woven textiles provide unrestricted movement. Strategic ventilation zones improve breathability, ensuring adaptability to high-energy activities and relaxed environments. These design elements reinforce the collection’s theme of transition, ensuring that style and function work harmoniously.
HHV: How does Hiking Patrol aim to engage with its community through this collection? Are there any unique collaborations or events planned?
HP: The collection is not just about apparel; it’s about navigating change in nature and our everyday lives. To bring this vision to life, in-person activations and digital storytelling initiatives encourage our community to experience the collection. These events will highlight how the pieces adapt to different landscapes.
We also have special collaborations that reflect our ongoing commitment to blending outdoor functionality with cultural narratives. This season, we continue our longstanding partnership with Diemme, evolving our collaborative footwear series while expanding into new territory with sandals with KEEN, introducing a fresh take on functional footwear. Both collaborations emphasise the balance between style and performance, aligning with Hiking Patrol’s ethos of creating “tools for exploration”.
HHV: Hiking Patrol has been collaborating with Diemme for nearly four years now. How did this partnership come about, and what is its essence?
HP: The collaboration between Diemme and Hiking Patrol came naturally. We both share the same vision of where modern outdoor meets fashion and how technical functionality in outdoor gear is just as important as the aesthetics that make it work in a city setting. Hiking gear must perform but also look good when you’re not on the trail. That’s really what this partnership is about: bringing that balance to life in a way that feels effortless.
HHV: Even though I have already seen the collection, please give us insight into what to expect at the end of the year in autumn/winter.
HP: We are introducing “Renewal in Repose”, a collection exploring the introspective and transformative nature of the colder seasons. As the vibrancy of summer fades, nature shifts into a phase of quiet reflection and subtle preparation for what lies ahead. AW25 embodies this transition, drawing inspiration from the unseen processes of shedding, conserving, and rebuilding nature and our lives.
The collection emphasises layering and protection, integrating traditional textures with contemporary silhouettes to reflect the cyclic continuity of life. Footwear will continue to be a key focus, with new developments in our ongoing collaborations with Diemme partnerships, pushing the boundaries of technical functionality and aesthetic refinement, reinforcing Hiking Patrol’s commitment to creating tools for exploration that evolve with the wearer. At its core, “Renewal in Repose” is about embracing stillness as an essential part of renewal, honouring the quieter moments that allow growth, adaptation, and the promise of what’s to come.
Thank you for speaking to me, Wai – I look forward to seeing how Hiking Patrol evolves.
Explore Hiking Patrol’s Spring/Summer ‘25 collection online and in-store now.
