Interview by the VANISH Team
For David Gensler outdoor style sits at the intersection of nature, fashion, design, technology, and modern outdoor culture. In this VANISH conversation, Gensler reflects on Gorpcore, retro SUVs, technical apparel, wilderness minimalism, and the future-facing aesthetics shaping the outdoor world today.
For more on the VANISH perspective, explore our latest outdoor culture stories, our interviews, and our ongoing coverage of outdoor style.
David Gensler on Outdoor Style: Nature, Future, and Automotive Design
VANISH Team: Continuing our conversation about outdoor culture, let’s talk about outdoor style right now. What has your attention lately?
David Gensler: What I find interesting is how fashion is beginning to influence aesthetics far outside of clothing — especially in automotive design. Today, there are so many new vehicles targeting outdoor enthusiasts. We’re seeing a return to retro outdoor aesthetics and classic forms. For example, the Airstream remains a timeless expression of American outdoor design.
The new Toyota Land Cruiser has wonderful retro styling with clean, classic lines. Meanwhile, the Ineos Grenadier is a beautiful homage to traditional British expedition vehicles. Then there are newer vehicles pushing outdoor aesthetics into fresh territory, like the Kia Telluride — boxy, modern, and still clearly designed for a life that extends beyond paved roads.
Architecturally, I love the cabins by Vipp and their interior work. I’m drawn to minimalism placed deep in wilderness. In that sense, places like Fogo Island have always inspired me — hyper-modern minimalist design set against the stark landscape of the far north, almost at the edge of the known world.
Ultimately, that balance between Nature and Future is what attracts me most.
Outdoor Style, Technical Apparel, and Personal Uniforms
VANISH Team: What about your personal style? Is it always “outdoor,” or do you move between different worlds aesthetically?
David Gensler: I definitely have many styles. Most of the time, I blend things together unless the occasion calls for something specific. I’ve always gone with whatever feels best and functions best for me personally.
More than anything, I prefer extremely high-quality garments and objects regardless of the brand attached to them. I’m naturally drawn toward smaller, more obscure brands. As a result, I usually avoid whatever dominates the status quo.
For coats and jackets, I always come back to Griffin. Jeff Griffin’s Sleeping Bag coat is iconic — easily one of the warmest coats I own.
When I’m fishing, which is often, I mix in oversized jackets and anoraks from Snow Peak. I love their giant cuts and proportions. I also rotate between South2 West8, DAIWA PIER39, and norbit. Recently, I’ve also been incorporating Skwala for waders and technical fishing gear.
Packs, Footwear, and Travel Gear
For packs, I’ll always keep a few Mystery Ranch 3-Day Assault packs ready to go. In addition, I recently added a Hyperlite Dyneema daypack into rotation. I’m also a huge fan of Racing Atelier — Leander has elevated pack design into something closer to art.
When it comes to pants, I’m almost exclusively wearing Nike ACG. The quality and fit are both great. Shoes are a different story because I absolutely love footwear and probably own far too many pairs at this point. Some favorites are still Nike ACG and Nike ISPA. You simply can’t beat Nike’s commitment to R&D.
I also love Flower Mountain and the rock-inspired footwear from Satisfy.
For luggage, I’ll always love my Rimowa cases. However, I’m not loyal to brands simply for loyalty’s sake. I support strong design wherever I find it. That’s what drew me toward the travel cases from Db Journey — beautiful design and nearly indestructible.
Depending on the trip, the luggage changes. Rimowa works for cities like Tokyo, London, or Paris. Db Journey makes more sense for rougher adventures and more rugged travel.
Gorpcore, Outdoor Cosplay, and Authentic Style
VANISH Team: You recently said that Gorpcore was basically “outdoor cosplay.” Did any hardcore Gorpcore loyalists throw trail mix at you for that?
David Gensler: Not yet — but I hope they do, and I hope it’s delicious and organic. Laughs.
Jokes aside, I absolutely meant it. Too much of anything eventually drifts into inauthenticity. Of course, it’s one thing to want people to know you love the outdoors. However, it’s another thing entirely to look like you’re about to summit Everest in August while sitting inside a Starbucks in Brooklyn trying to impress hikers.
Authentic style is about balance, comfort, and individuality. When fashion becomes too extreme, it eventually becomes costume.
David Gensler Outdoor Style Trends for 2027 and Beyond
VANISH Team: What outdoor style trends do you see emerging in 2027 and beyond?
David Gensler: Beyond 2027, I honestly have no idea. However, in the immediate future, outdoor aesthetics are only going to spread deeper into more industries and categories.
We’ll see more luxury and high-design brands engaging with outdoor culture — not just in fashion, but also in automotive design, motorcycles, hotels, watches, and technology hardware.
Personally, I hope we move toward more maximalism again. I want more experimentation, more boldness, and more Gucci x The North Face energy. At the same time, I’d like to see less monotone minimalism.
At VANISH, we’re already working on something for 2027, and I promise it won’t be boring.
To me, the ideal balance is maximalism in fashion and minimalism in hardware. That contrast is beautiful. For instance, I’ll always carry a Leica M rangefinder with me, alongside Teenage Engineering field gear for sound design whenever I disappear into the wild.
That balance between analog soul and future technology is the aesthetic I care about most.
