August on the Highlands Cashiers plateau is a perfect time to slow down, enjoy the cooler air, and spend a day exploring the mountains. This year, August brings something special to Cashiers for anyone who loves fine gear and Southern outdoor culture. Highland Hiker is hosting a Hook N Hide belt and buckle show on August 15th, in the greenspace at 47 Highway 107 South in Cashiers, and it is the kind of event that turns a simple day trip into a story you will talk about all year.
Hook N Hide was founded by Thomas Mauldin, an avid outdoorsman and designer with deep roots in the South. His belt buckles started as a way to combine function with art, inspired by the fish he loves to catch and the places he loves to spend time outdoors. Today, each buckle is hand designed, individually numbered, and made from a special mix of metals that gives the piece a rustic patina that only gets better with age. From trout and tarpon to birds, dogs, and other symbols of Southern life, Hook N Hide buckles feel like wearable trophies that say something about where you spend your time and what you care about.
On August 15, Thomas Mauldin will be on hand at Highland Hiker in Cashiers with his full collection of belts and buckles. From 12 to 4 in the afternoon, the greenspace will turn into a relaxed outdoor gathering with live music, food, drink, and tables laid out with Hook N Hide pieces you may have only seen at events like Bear Shadow or in Charleston. It is a chance to see the entire line up close, try on belts, and talk directly with the maker about the stories behind each design.
The buckles themselves are what make this event unique. Hook N Hide uses a tumbaga style blend of metals, combining brass, copper, gold, and pewter to create a finish that looks as if it belongs at the cabin, on the coast, and in town, all at once. Each piece is carved and cast through an involved multi step process that gives every buckle its own subtle character. Some designs feature saltwater species, others honor freshwater fish, wing shooting birds, classic dog breeds, or other icons of Southern outdoor life. The result is a collection that appeals to fishermen, dog people, wing shooters, coast people, mountain people, and anyone who appreciates art with a functional twist.
At Highland Hiker, that functional art sits right at home. The shop has long been a destination for high quality outdoor apparel, footwear, and accessories that fit the Highlands and Cashiers lifestyle. Pairing Hook N Hide belts and buckles with the right shirts, pants, and boots turns them from collectibles into everyday companions for town and trail. On August 15, staff can help you match a favorite buckle to leather belts, pants, and outfits that feel natural in the high country, whether you are headed to dinner, a concert, or an evening by the fire.
The greenspace at Highland Hiker is a natural setting for this kind of gathering. Located at 47 Highway 107 South in Cashiers, it offers room to listen to live music, enjoy food and drink, and browse the Hook N Hide display at an easy pace. Day trippers driving up the mountain can park, step into the event, and spend a few hours meeting Thomas, talking gear, and trying on belts before heading to other parts of town or out on nearby trails. Locals can swing by between errands or after a morning in the woods and turn a regular Saturday into something special.
If you have ever looked for a belt buckle that feels personal rather than generic, this event is designed for you. Hook N Hide pieces are individually stamped and numbered, often requested in specific number ranges by customers who collect or gift them. Some designs even build in a small functional twist, like bottle openers integrated into the shape of a fish, adding another layer of story to an already distinctive accessory. Meeting the maker in person gives you a chance to ask about the inspiration behind your favorite buckle, learn how it was created, and think through which design best reflects your own time outdoors.
For Highland Hiker, the event is also a way to celebrate the kind of gear that matches the plateau lifestyle. A well-made belt and buckle can live alongside the shop’s trusted brands of shirts, jackets, and footwear as part of a long-term mountain wardrobe. Choosing pieces with meaning makes every trip to Highlands and Cashiers feel more connected to the place itself. When you slide a Hook N Hide buckle through a belt before heading up the mountain, you carry a piece of Southern outdoor art with you, whether you are walking Main Street or standing beside a stream.