Hike the Yosemite with Crockett & Jones

To witness Yosemite in person is to be reminded of nature’s true grandeur and sheer power. Standing at the foot of the staggering El Capitan, a 3,000ft granite monolith, or the vertiginous face of the Half Dome — which reduces seasoned mountain climbers to the size of ants — you’re immediately faced with the scale of your own humanity. It is here, amongst the ancient giant sequoia trees, thundering waterfalls and roaming wild bears, that the Crockett & Jones Autumn/Winter Collection was born. 

As James Fox, Head of Marketing for the classic heritage brand, explains: “The great outdoors, weekend wear and casual sectors are where we’re experiencing most of our growth, and there really is no greater ‘great outdoors’ than Yosemite. It’s one of the most awe-inspiring backdrops on the planet, and whilst our shoes aren’t quite as resilient  as granite, they aren’t far off where footwear is concerned!”

The Great Outdoors Collection meets the demands of the elemental Sierra Nevada terrain, which requires durability beyond that of any city pavement — no matter how slick with rain. Anchored by a mixture of Vibram cleated and British-made Commando rubber soles, each pair has been designed to grip. Whether the wearer intends to ramble along the valley floor or traverse scree and rock, both comfort and security are necessities and are core pillars across the collection. 

Beyond the soles, the collection showcases materials considered essential for genuine outdoor performance. Heritage Scotch Grain leather and matte, rugged, yet supple rough-out suede not only blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings but can shrug off rain and mud after a long day exploring the great outdoors. 
 

This is evident across the line’s three signature styles. The Hickstead 4 is a regular-fit boot that supports the contours of the foot while still prioritising style, with bronze buckle detailing. The Vail, the second design, is a hand-stitched apron boot that mirrors but reimagines the brand’s classic loafers and comes in dark brown and taupe suede, lending a timeless feel to a versatile shoe. The last component of the collection, and perhaps the model that best embodies the brand’s history on both sides of the Atlantic, is the Boston 2, a sportier, weatherproof loafer that brings a more rugged feel to one of Crockett & Jones’ signature silhouettes, perfect for wearing to a post-hike dinner or on a particularly rainy day in London. 

Crockett & Jones has long been heralded as a Great British brand: a family-run business for 147 years, founded in Northampton, the shoemaking capital of the world (yes, really). While synonymous with British heritage, not least because it supplied James Bond with two styles in the 2021 film No Time to Die, the brand has deep roots in North America. After first establishing a presence on the West  Coast in the 1970s, Crockett & Jones has been a master shoemaker behind the scenes for decades, supplying household names like Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers and Barneys New York with thousands of pairs. Of course, it is this history that paved the way to the opening of two flagship stores in New York City, now fixtures in one of the world’s iconic global shopping destinations. After all, American customers have long held a healthy appreciation and admiration for the dapper and refined nature of English style.
 

Speaking about why Crockett & Jones’ craftsmanship has translated well across the pond, Fox says: “While tastes are very similar, the main difference is that our American customers always reacted first to our more casual developments.” It is perhaps natural, then, that the Great Outdoors Collection finds its spiritual home on American soil. That the utilitarian boots designed to withstand granite peaks and valley floors have found favour over the quintessential business loafer that the brand is beloved for back home. 

While the link between a Northamptonshire shoemaker, best known and loved for its business attire, and a national park thousands of miles from its front door may not be immediately obvious, upon further inspection of the Great Outdoors Collection, the synergy is clear. The partnership speaks to a broader shift in how heritage brands evolve —not by forgetting their roots or what resonates with long-term customers, but by reinterpreting what this looks like in new landscapes.

Ultimately, this partnership is grounded in a shared appreciation and deep respect for the whims of nature — one through generations of craftsmanship that designs to withstand the changing seasons, the other through vast landscapes sculpted by time and the elements. Either way, both are firmly here to stay. 

The Crockett & Jones Autumn/ Winter  2026 Collection will be available online and in-store now. crockettandjones.com