BACK TO BERKELEY
Created for the Fall / Winter 2015 season, the Back to Berkeley was the first official update to the original Back to Berkeley silhouette. Focusing on functionality and evolving on the original design was the goal. The main objective was to determine what feature sets can be improved upon, what details will be highlighted, and what design aesthetics can be elevated.
Inspiration
The original Back to Berkeley boot was The North Face first successful silhouette that resonated with lifestyle consumers. The play on retro materializations, patterning, and construction showed the internal footwear team that the history of the brand is valued and revered. Although this design was well received it suffered from some quality and design issues. From the cut and buffed midsole, the thin outsole, and possessing a poor fit, the next version had to not only fix these issues but improve upon them. When creating the aesthetic for the new Back to Berkeley boot, “simplicity” was the one design driver that had to remain from the previous model. Aesthetic refinement is the second design driver that was used to evolve the new design. Referencing retro inspired products and distilling down the details is the inspiration behind the Back to Berkeley update. Looking at how mixed materials are applied, as well as examining how hardware is integrated into these designs helped update and influence the new design. These observations of retro inspired products established the visual and functional aesthetics for the new Back to Berkeley boot.
Initial Exploration
Simplicity and refinement is what the team wanted to focus on for the visual read of the new design. It all started with looking at the original Back to Berkeley boot while trying to capture the design elements that were to remain and elevate these aesthetics. These drivers were the double quilted collar, the swooping toe to heel mudguard, the protective toe bumper, and the bold yet simple patterning of the upper. These gestural design lines of the silhouette had to remain and all other design elements had to be constructed off of them.
Initial Design Direction
The initial design sketches for the updated Back to Berkeley boot were focused around capturing the original design gesture. By trying to see how far it could be pushed by limiting pattern pieces to reflect the intent of the original design. The final detail was to create a visualization of a more robust and substantial midsole and hiking capable outsole.
Direction Finalization
The final design direction draws inspiration and styling from the original Back to Berkeley concept and at the same time, evolves and improves the function and visual aesthetics. Details that are key to continuing the established and accepted design language were the toe to heel mudguard, double baffle collar, and an improved cut and buff midsole.
Market Release
The final design embodies the spirit of the original Back to Berkeley while adding improved functionality and performance. The design was patterned to allow for a multitude of materials while possessing the same stance and visual read. The tooling, both the midsole and outsole, have been improved and functions more as a traditional hiker thus allowing the user to tackle a broader variety of terrains and environments.
BACK TO BERKELEY x SNS
This collaboration was inspired by the early days of The North Face and the environment it was built in, Sneakersnstuff reflects on the history of the West Coast brand through a tie-dye prism. Honoring the immersive decade when the mountaineering specialist opened its doors in 1966 right before the Summer of Love in San Francisco, the partnership gives way for winter season-appropriate gear that properly bridges today’s zeitgeist with the spirit of the groundbreaking 1960s.
PUBLISH BRAND & THE NORTH FACE
Midnight in Antarctica was the initial collaboration between The North Face and Publish Brand in 2016. The model is swathed in a deep navy colorway and is “carefully designed to represent {Antarctica’s} midnight sky, the deep black foreground, and the snow-filled landscape.”
BACK TO BERKELEY BIG SCREEN DEBUT
Worn by Simon Pegg in the role of “Benji Dunn” in, Mission: Impossible Fallout
Specs
The updated outsole and tread for the new Back to Berkeley was a major priority. The original tread was visually pleasing but it did not perform at the best levels. The new tread had to be more capable and possess the ability to go off trail allowing the user to truly explore.
