Full Project: Trail Concept

Gabby Escobar

Designer +

Trail Runner

In Progress
The Brief:
Middle-distance technical trail footwear inspired by the the Southern California 6 pack of peaks. Vertical grade of 9-11%, 12-40 miles, gravel, large rock, dust, light rain and snow. 3-4 runs per week

Style: Trail Runner

Customer: Technical/high mountain runner

Price Point: $180

Features:
Built in gaiter
Low stack for flexibility
Technical Tread

Health Considerations:
Lack of stability
Moderate cushion
Mid-foot favoring

Designed to run from
Cactus to Clouds

These peaks scale a variety of Los Angeles terrain literally 0ft to 11,500ft above sea level. An important key is to consider the significant terrain and temperature change as a runner gains vertical feet. Designing with these in mind creates a footwear concept that can still perform in this uniquely wide range of environments.

Documented are my terrain observations as I have run my way through these peaks.

Market Audit :
I’ve been using a gaiter which has become cumbersome during these large runs. They are challenging to fit to my trail shoes and I have to adjust several times throughout the day. When looking into trail running footwear with a built-in gaiter I noticed a gap in the market.

Most products cater towards snow conditions and have a high stack for maximum cushion which is ideal for long runs. I had the opportunity to demo several of these footwear options and none quite fit the technical necessities of the terrain in the brief.

Mood Board
and Colors:

When developing my mood board I identified key visual drivers to pull imagery from: terrain, culture, and utility. The color palette represents the range of colors found in nature from cactus to clouds derived from my mood board.

Sketches:

I was inspired by tent-architectural structures. More specifically the work of SelgasCano, a spanish architechural firm that has designed a series of semi-permanent structures with innovative materials.

Their design philosophy is to put up architecture that can be taken down virtually leaving no trace on the land. Although these buildings are “temporary” they still adhere to fundamental building code and structural integrity of any strucutre.

I started from the top view to identify different silohuettes of the gaitor with the intention of using this to identify key design/aesthetic choices.

Design Process 1:
Sketch to build

I decided to experiment with different design processes in developing this concept. I built out Concept #5, illustrating a story of deer, an animal that exists between the cactus and clouds of Los Angeles.

This concept combines the tongue, backtab, and medial side of the upper to create a built-in gaitor that refines fit with the lacing system.

Design Process 2:
Sock Prototype

I started with an old sock and started to remove material. I picked a sketch reference with an interesting silhouette: Direction 6

I drew directly on my foot with chalk and observed how the gaitor moved with the foot in motion.

Makeshift Prototype:

I used found materials around my apartment to mock-up this first functional prototype: an old sock, the first booty that I sewed for practice, and an outsole that detached from a vintage sneaker I used to wear. This prototype displays ways the gaitor can be built into the midsole and upper to create a sytstem that adapts to the runner’s foot in motion.

Process Gallery:

I’m relatively new to sewing and pattering so, I’ve treated these explorations as exercises to refine my process and skill. My goal was to avoid using 3D modeling and use the foot directly to develop form. I started off with a simple booty pattern and have been working from there.

Previous Project: Gu Energy Labs

Home

Next Project: Lace-Up Desk Set

Contact

hello@gabbyescobar.com
+1 408 677-8339

Currently in Pasadena, CA

Résumé

Education

2025, MFA
Graphic Design at
ArtCenter College
of Design

2023, BA
Speculative Design at UC San Diego

Software

Illustrator
InDesign
Photoshop
Lightroom
Rhino
Keyshot
SolidWorks

Gabby Escobar

Trail Runner

Designed to run from Cactus to Clouds

Mood Board and Colors:

Design Process 1: Sketch to build I decided to experiment with different design processes in developing this concept. I built out Concept #5, illustrating a story of deer, an animal that exists between the cactus and clouds of Los Angeles.