Lululemon's new hiking attire blurs lines between fashion and function

Many of us spent a good bulk of the past three years in the comforts of our sweatpants and yoga gear, embracing one of the few perks that came with sheltering in during the pandemic. Athleisure wear has become acceptable attire beyond the gym as more brands introduce stylish options that can double as ready-to-wear. According to Polaris Market Research, the athleisure market is valued at US$ 288 billion in 2021.

This demand has inspired brands to focus on comfort in relation to fashion. Beyond gym garb, utilitarian activewear like mountain gear and even ski and snowboarding outfits have taken off beyond the slopes. The lines between fashion and function blur further as brands luxury brands like Gucci, Loewe and Louis Vuitton drive the trend through collaborations with sports labels like The North Face, Adidas and On.

As the appetite for utilitarian wear grows, athleisure brands are taking advantage of their edge in design and fabric technology to create collections that marries comfort with style. Tapping into everything from proprietary technology in breathable fabrics and compression designs, Lululemon unveils its first Hike Collection, a range of 33 designs for both men and women that caters to the physical demands of being in the great outdoors. 

The brand, best known for its yoga wear, uses a number of fabrics engineered to deal with heat, sweat, and odour to create this new collection of hiking gear. Instead of muted earth tones typically used, the collection offers a mix of burgundy and green mixed in with a burst of purple. 

Hiking shorts and a sports bra that doubles as swimwear is mixed and matched with a jacket that converts into a short sleeve shell. The men’s designs include a range of water-resistant outerwear, pants, shorts and a hat.

Not forgoing functionality, the collection also includes quick-drying leggings with abrasion protection that can stand up to the challenges of rugged terrain. 

The brand also takes this opportunity to launch new technology, LiftOS and uses it in a backpack that enables even weight distribution to relieve pressure points on the back. 

Also see: Luxury brands like Gucci are launching wearable fitness tech; are they worth the premium?