Hi-Tec and NKPR teamed up to take media on a Toronto Urban Hike in order to discover the new collection of walking and hiking shoes built with the fashion lover in mind.

Each participant was given a choice between a number of different casual but functional shoe styles to try out. I went with the Sierra Lite Original high tops in pink. Thanks Hi-Tec! The Sierra Lite Original is Hi-Tec’s original suede and mesh walking boot. The shoe has the qualities of a hiking boot with a high fashion look.

We gathered at the NKPR offices in our best urban hiking street style outfits and put on our shoes. It was interesting to see what styles everyone picked. Pink was very popular with the women but only two of us went for the high top Sierra Lite Originals. I was very impressed that they came with a second set of pink laces and I immediately began to switch out the white pair.

They really wanted to show us that you don’t need to break in Hi-Tec shoes in to be comfortable. These are shoes you can take right out of the box and go. After the hour we spend walking around, I’d have to agree. I knew that these Sierra Lite Originals would be perfect for travel and day outings. A few weeks later I went to the Christie Antique Show in Dundas, Ontario and the Sierra Lite Originals were perfect. You do a lot of walking at these antique shows and the shoes were so comfortable. They also were perfect for friend spotting as the bright pink was hard to miss in a crowd. These are going to be of great use when I head out to Whistler this summer. I got some trails to hit up and bears to see. My hardcore, took a long time to break in, heavier, hiking boots will stay at home.

We visited a few places on our hike: Graffiti Alley, David’s Tea and the Caplansky’s Food Truck. Along the way superstar Street Style photographer Stefania Yarhi was snapping away.

I went with an all black outfit because the Sierra’s are just so bright. I paired up a Jeremy Laing top with Gap pants and my favourite vintage Adidas Jacket.

images: courtesy of NKPR, taken by Stefania Yarhi