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The onset of daylight savings and warmer days around the country means more day hikes and less seasonal depression. Helping the transition to prime hiking season even more exciting is the latest update to the Outdoor Voices Hike Collection, a lighthearted line of functional apparel for embracing the warmer, drier trails we hope to see in the near future.
Known for playful marketing and perfectly refined colorblocked athleisure apparel (we’ve all forgotten about the power struggles that led to founder Tyler Haney’s 2020 exit by now, right?), OV consistently releases beautiful and functional apparel and collaborative footwear made for and modeled by a hugely diverse crowd. On a mission to get the world moving by #DoingThings, as they say, OV attempts to embody the spirit of encouraging people to get outside however you want; hiking, frolicking, or straight up walking around the park.
A long-time standout among the many OV offerings is the Hike Collection, which each season releases updates to tried and true pieces and introduces new designs to meet their vocal Instagram critics. Of the most recent highlights, the Zip-Off Pants ($118) and Rectrek 3” Short ($78) are easily our top picks, alongside the Crop Top/Flex Zoom Legging combo of course.
Forever the brunt of jokes, the zip-off pant has long been reserved for nerdy tourists and function-over-everything dads the world over. Though the 2018 Fjallraven x Acne Studios collab proved something could be done for the oft derided silhouette. And now, with OV’s latest iteration—which comes in two colorways and features two zippers per leg, offering the option to go capri or short short—the case has been fully made that a flattering zip-off can actually exist.
The new design features TerraStretch nylon fabric, a high-rise waistband with snap closure and removable belt, and of course, zippers galore. And to answer the question of what do with the excess fabric after you’ve converted to full-on sport short mode? The lower portions stuff into a designated, integrated pocket to pack up nice and tidy for ease of carry.
As mentioned, the new Rectrek Shorts’ matching colorway is super cute too, with all the bits and bobs that the Zip-Off Pants boast, in more dedicated fashion.
OV offers extended sizing in a few select products and plan to release more in Summer 2021, specifically for the Zip-Offs. Stay tuned & see you on the trail!
Published 10-03-2018
Updated 03-12-2021
