I was a really big fan of Nike products when I was a little younger, but to be honest, as I matured my interest has slowly died down — until recently. For this gear test I decided to look into the ACG or All Conditions Gear range and was pleasantly surprised.

First I tried out the Cordillera composite no sew jacket which utilizes a breathable cotton polyester mix that enables this form-fitting and ultra stylish garment to be moisture resistant, while also wicking away sweat. It also features a taped (rather than sewn) seam throughout which immensely improves comfort. This product was equal in it’s abilities to most comparable items provided by leading outdoor manufacturers, so I can and will recommend it, not least because of it’s very competitive price point.
 
Next, I took out a sample pair of unreleased Nike Zoom Ashiko boots.
 
These boots have been billed as ”A revolution in outdoor product that combines leading edge construction techniques with Nike’s boot heritage, creating a lightweight minimalistic product unlike anything else in the market.” That’s a mouthful, but I have to say I agree. These stylish boots are a great choice for the fashion-savvy day hiker. On the first part of my trip in Manhattan I had plenty of compliments, but it was on the trail that they came into their own.

They are light, very supportive and incredibly airy. At a retail price of $270 Nike isn’t giving them away, but then again you are getting a groundbreaking sneaker and a state-of-the-art hiking boot rolled into one.