Since the UK’s Gramicci explosion around five years ago, their iconic G-Pant and Short silhouettes have been adopted by pretty much every group that needs that little bit of extra give.
They’ve become the go-to trouser for our local skate scene, and a personal favourite for an easy Sunday stroll; the simple functionality of their diamond gusset and built-in belt, however, comes from their firmly rooted identity in rock climbing.
Founded in ’82 by Mike Graham, a member of California’s Stonemaster movement, he developed these features once painter pants and army surplus gear could no longer meet the requirements needed for the climbing boundaries being pushed.
We thought we’d push our own (at this point, amateur at best) climbing boundaries, taking some of Gramicci’s gear up Witherslack for an afternoon. Sketchy terrain, warm sun, worth a shot.
We also geared up with some Birkenstock Bostons. Are they at all the ideal approach shoe? Absolutely not. Do they make us feel biblical? Yep.