For our latest PUMA collaboration we wanted to show a different side of what we often think of as “getting out,” which for a lot of people means going to the mountains or somewhere far flung. When people think of trails, they imagine mountains and forests. But growing up here, we’ve seen a different kind of wilderness—that of the seaside alongside sunken forests. We wanted to showcase this and highlight the reality that even in a place like New York City you have access to nature that’s relatively easy to reach.

There’s also the history of how outdoor gear, because of its durability and toughness, has been adopted by people living within the city. Gear made for the outdoors—built for survival and heavy use—often gets adapted to city life because urban living can be just as demanding. So, a rugged boot designed for the wilderness also works perfectly in New York City. And in that sense, we think both boots in the collection this season represent that balance really well.