Performance meets style in HOKA ONE ONE's latest collaboration, as the footwear and apparel brand has teamed up with Seoul-based fashion label thisisneverthat for an intriguing collaboration. Inspired by the intersection of streetwear and mountain-tech, the limited-edition collection is led by a reimagining of HOKA's beloved trail runner, the Speedgoat 4.
"Since thisisneverthat is a lifestyle brand, we felt like it was an incredible opportunity to work with a brand celebrated for functionality and performance," Jinwoo Park, Designer of Special Projects for thisisneverthat, tells Highsnobiety. "The Speedgoat 4 is just a great shoe. Both its striking lines and real-world performance capabilities are quintessentially HOKA, which made the collaboration process more interesting."
thisisneverthat didn't hold back when designing its own iteration of the Speedgoat 4, as the brand dressed the trail shoe in a risky, all-white upper. From there, blue accents were implemented, seemingly to celebrate HOKA's signature shade.
"When we select partners and collaborators, we want to ensure they share a similar approach," HOKA's Director of Product, Colin Ingram, adds. "thisisneverthat has a unique voice; they build premium products and they do it in a disruptive way. This complements our voice nicely, and this partnership helps celebrate what we both do best."
From a performance standpoint, the thisisneverthat x HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat 4 is equipped with maximal cushioning of which HOKA is best known for, and a unique geometry for a smooth ride no matter the terrain. Multi-directional lugs and a Vibram MegaGrip outsole also aid in providing ample grip for bombing down the most rugged mountains.
"This was our first time working on a product that’s specifically focused on functionality. So, we did a lot of research and thought hard about what this collaboration means," Park says. "Overall, we’re happy with the turnout. It looks uniquely thisisneverthat."
In addition to the Speedgoat 4, the thisisneverthat x HOKA ONE ONE collaboration also includes a range of complementary apparel, designed and produced by thisisneverthat. The capsule consists of a wind-resistant hooded pullover, performance six-inch short, T-shirt, bucket hat, and performance crew sock, each made for performance, but more than stylish enough for everyday wear.
The collaboration with HOKA will likely lead thisisneverthat to explore more performance-minded design techniques going forward. Park tells Highsnobiety, "As we evolve as a brand, we’re putting more emphasis on the importance of functionality. We’ll continue to strive to make better products. We’re certain that continuous collaborations with brands like HOKA will help us with this mission."
The thisisneverthat x HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat 4 ($160) — and accompanying apparel collection — will be available for pre-sale beginning Wednesday, March 17, before the full launch on March 18.
To stay updated on everything happening in the sneaker world, follow @highsnobietysneakers on Instagram, check out the best sneakers to add to your rotation this week, and sign up to our newsletter for the latest sneaker news sent straight to your inbox.
