Atlantis Headwear x Thru Hiking

When merchandising becomes part of the experience: Atlantis x Thru Hiking.

There is a fundamental difference between a gadget and a product designed to accompany an experience. In the outdoor world, where every detail of equipment serves a precise function, an accessory must first and foremost be useful. But it can also become much more: a symbol of belonging, a shared memory, and an element capable of strengthening the identity of a community. It is from this vision that the collaboration between Atlantis Headwear and Thru Hiking was born, on the occasion of Trail Days Europe, the event dedicated to long-distance hiking enthusiasts that, for the second consecutive year, took place in June 2026 at De Hoge Veluwe National Park in the Netherlands. 

Thru Hiking is a collective founded in 2020 by Elmar Teegelbeckers with the aim of connecting, informing, and inspiring the European hiking community. By sharing up-to-date and reliable information on the main trails across Europe, the collective helps hikers plan and experience their outdoor journeys in a more conscious and safe way. The 2026 edition of Trail Days Europe brought together over 1.200 participants, more than 40 brands, and hikers from 15 countries, offering a full day of workshops and activities dedicated to the outdoor world. In such a context, merchandising could not simply be a souvenir of the event. 

The collaboration with Atlantis Headwear was born with the intention of transforming an accessory into a truly useful tool for those who spend entire days on the trail. The goal was not just to develop a product aligned with Thru Hiking’s visual identity, but to identify a cap capable of meeting the real needs of hikers: lightness, practicality, comfort and durability. The cap had to become an extension of the collective’s identity, helping to strengthen the sense of belonging among participants even after the event had ended. 

Two caps, one direction.

The design process led to the selection of two models from the Atlantis collection, chosen for their different yet complementary characteristics. 

The first is Erie, a technical cap designed for those who experience the outdoors intensively. Made from recycled nylon and polyester, it combines lightness, breathability, and practicality thanks to its foldable visor. A product designed to face long hikes and adapt to dynamic environments, while always ensuring high levels of comfort. Alongside Erie, Darwin was selected, the new unstructured five-panel camper hat from the 2026 collection. Made from organic and recycled cotton canvas, it features a flexible ReTraze® visor made from recycled material obtained from discarded fishing nets. 

The result of this collaboration goes beyond the creation of two customized caps. Both models were designed to continue being used even after Trail Days Europe, accompanying hikers on their future adventures and keeping the connection with the community alive. The product thus becomes a meeting point between functionality, design and identity, turning merchandising into an experience that continues over time.