When it comes to Barbour, the first thing that probably comes to mind is the British outerwear brand’s iconic waxed jackets, worn by the likes of Princess Diana and forever it-girl Alexa Chung. But Barbour has had a resurgence on my Instagram feed because of its buzzy collabs with Ganni, Noah, and, more recently, the Japanese footwear brand Flower Mountain. Both known for their high-quality craftsmanship and outdoor-friendly styles, the brands teamed up to design a vibrant collection that brings Barbour’s classic tartan lining together with Flower Mountain’s signature dandelion pattern – inspired by blooms the brand’s founders saw while climbing Mt. Fuji.
The collaboration is comprised of jackets, sneakers, and boots. But it’s the Barbour x Flower Mountain Yamano 3 sneaker that immediately caught our attention. The shoe has practical features like an anti-bacterial cork insole, a lightweight rubber sole with toothed tread, and trekking laces that make it comfortable for walking through urban cityscapes and trails alike. But it’s also stylish, thanks to a combination of suede and waxed technical fabrics and three eye-catching colorways that can complement an outdoor or streetwear-inspired look.
Our editors have tested their fair share of activewear and fitness gear, so naturally, we had to put the Barbour x Flower Mountain Yamano 3 sneaker to the test and see if it feels as good as it looks – no matter where we’re walking. Keep reading to see four editors’ honest thoughts on the city-to-trail sneaker.
PS Photography | Jessica Harrington
Barbour x Flower Mountain Yamano 3 Sneakers
Barbour x Flower Mountain Yamano 3 Sneakers in Purple / Grey ($275)
“My husband and I love hiking on the weekends, but I never have the right shoes. My existing hiking boots are bulky and, frankly, not cute; but if I wear my regular sneakers, more often than not, I slip on uphill parts because they don’t have enough traction. I had yet to discover a shoe that strikes the perfect balance until I got a pair of the Barbour x Flower Mountain Yamano 3 Sneakers. Dubbed an ‘adventure-ready sneaker,’ this shoe has a sleek upper that resembles a street shoe but a thick (yet surprisingly lightweight) rubber sole with tread to conquer all terrain. They’re incredibly comfortable, with a size 7 (my normal sneaker size) fitting with enough room to wear thick socks. Plus, the purple and grey colorway taps into that ’90s nostalgia and looks so cute, whether I’m in jeans or athleisure.” – Jessica Harrington, senior editor, Beauty
Rating:
PS Photography | Kyley Warren
Barbour x Flower Mountain Yamano 3 Sneakers
Barbour x Flower Mountain Yamano 3 Sneakers in Brown / Beige ($275)
“As someone who hikes daily, I was excited to try the Barbour x Flower Mountain Yamano 3 trainers to see how the style holds up on varying terrain. The hybrid shoe combines the benefits of a comfy running sneaker with the durability of a hiking boot; it has a rigid, rubber sole that provides a more sturdy base, allowing me to scale different surfaces (even rocky ground) with total ease. Plus, its design pays homage to different elements of nature, with intricate floral details adorning the sneaker, and an earthy, neutral colorway that’s easy to style with a variety of outfits.
My one qualm is with the shoe’s laces, which – similar to those of a hiking boot – feel much thicker, therefore making it more difficult to achieve a tightened and truly snug fit, which I generally prefer in both my sneakers and hiking shoes. Overall, I love this style, and am confident it will be my go-to throughout the rest of the hiking season.” – Kyley Warren, assistant editor, Shopping
Rating:
PS Photography | Alida Araica
Barbour x Flower Mountain Yamano 3 Sneakers
Barbour x Flower Mountain Yamano 3 Sneakers in Brown / Beige ($275)
“I’m not completely flat-footed, but my arches are low enough that they will hurt after a while in the wrong shoes. So I was pleasantly surprised when I was nearing the end of a four-mile loop in the Barbour x Flower Mountain Yamano 3 sneakers and hadn’t experienced any discomfort. The firm cork insole is comfortable, and the sneakers feel weightless, which is all I can really ask for on longer walks or hikes. Plus, they required no break-in period, unlike other hiking boots I’ve tried. That being said, I consider myself a more casual hiker – so if you find yourself on more intense terrain, you may need more ankle support than these provide.
And coming in at $275, these sneakers are definitely on the pricier side. But they’re also so stylish that I can wear them on and off the trail – which is not something I can say about other hiking or walking shoes I’ve worn. Seeing as they have doubled as hiking and statement sneakers in my own wardrobe, I’d say the shoes are worth the investment.” – Alida Araica, newsletter manager
Rating:
PS Photography | Annie Harrigan
Barbour x Flower Mountain Yamano 3 Sneakers
Barbour x Flower Mountain Yamano 3 Sneakers in Brown / Beige ($275)
“I’ve got incredibly flat feet. I’m talking custom orthotic inserts and reconstructive surgery in my future flat. Because of this, I try to look for shoes that are comfortable and won’t exacerbate any of the issues that my flat feet cause (ankle and knee pain, discomfort from walking for long periods of time, sitting uncomfortably in most shoes). I’m also someone who – despite all the issues caused by my feet and knowing I should prioritize comfort over style – loves a cute shoe and will wear one no matter how much they hurt. Luckily, with the Barbour x Flower Mountain Yamano 3 sneakers, I didn’t have to choose between style and comfort.
Though not my usual style – I tend to gravitate towards monochromatic high-top sneakers like classic Vans or Chuck Taylors – I found that these sneakers went really well with a variety of my outfits. As far as comfort goes, these were easily the most comfortable sneakers I’ve ever worn. After walking long distances in them or running to catch the train, I was pleasantly surprised by how much my feet and ankles didn’t hurt in these shoes. They actually offered plenty of support to my sensitive feet. They were so comfortable that I found myself gravitating towards them over my normal everyday shoes and planning my outfits around them. I’m taking a trip to Peru at the end of the month and I already know that these will be the shoes to get me through the airport, food tours in Lima, and the excursion to Machu Picchu.” – Annie Harrigan, former editorial coordinator
Rating:
PS Photography / Jessica Harrington / Kyley Warren / Alida Araica / Annie Harrigan
Alida Araica (she/her) is a newsletter manager at PS, where she oversees and executes editorial and client email strategy and production and occasionally writes product reviews. She has been working in marketing in the digital media space since 2018, working on email, content, and social media programs.
