Field Tested: Outdoor Vitals Pursuit Hybrid Fleece

This October, I took my son camping along the Kern River for Fall Break, and it turned out to be the perfect opportunity to test the brand new Outdoor Vitals Pursuit Hybrid Fleece. It ended up being the ideal piece of outerwear for that environment.

Our campsite was right on the river, and as soon as the sun went down, the temps dropped quickly. I needed to throw on an outer layer, and I was immediately thankful to have the Pursuit Hybrid Fleece on hand. I put it on and felt warm almost instantly.

What really stood out to me was how lightweight and comfortable this piece is. It moves with your body and doesn’t feel bulky or restrictive but somehow, it still provides the warmth you're hoping for. I also loved that it has a hoodie built in. Mornings were brisk, and that hood went up the moment I crawled out of the tent.

One of my favorite moments with the fleece was on a fishing morning with my son. It started off chilly, and the fleece kept me warm, but as the sun came up and the day heated up, I was able to vent out excess heat just by unzipping it a bit. The breathability and temperature regulation were spot-on.

I’ve owned several fleeces over the years and am always on the lookout for that perfect outerwear layer. Honestly, I think I found it with the Pursuit Hybrid Fleece from Outdoor Vitals.

If you're in the market for a reliable fleece this fall and winter, I’d definitely recommend checking this one out.

Skyline Trail Joggers by Outdoor Vitals

If you know me well I'm always on the hunt for new gear, that won't break the bank, is durable and functional. Add some bonus points if you show me gear from a rad company. 

I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect hiking pant for years; something lightweight, comfortable, and built to handle real trail conditions. I've tried all types of hiking pants: zip off at the knee, preowned to save a a couple bucks, and I even found a great pair at the REI garage sale one time. Every time though I felt like they were a little too big in the legs for my liking. 

Last year I found the Skyline Trail Joggers from Outdoor Vitals and they have become the only pants I've worn for hiking. I think I’ve finally found them; I think my quest to find the best hiking pants have concluded. 

This is the one pair of hiking pants I brought on the JMT last summer. It was so nice to hike in shorts during the warm summer days but if you've spent any time in the mountains you know those temps can drop at night. Each night it was great to slip into these pants after a long day of hiking. I choose to take these pants because I was able to test them at home before hand and it was an easy decision. 

These joggers have quickly become my favorite trail pants, and here’s why:

1. Ultra-Lightweight for Long Days on Trail

From the moment I put them on, I noticed how incredibly light these joggers feel. Even on warmer hikes, I stayed comfortable without overheating. They breathe well, pack down small, and are perfect for layering with other ultralight gear. Whether I was hiking wide paths, crossing streams, or navigating narrow singletrack in Harmon Canyon, they never weighed me down. 

For those, like me, who like to look at the weight of pants stick around. These joggers come in at a light 6.5oz. I think that is a big deal when you're considering add them them to your pack. They are super light but read the next reason they've become my favorite too. 

2. Surprisingly Durable

I’ve put in several miles with these pants, and several washes, and they’re holding up impressively well. No frayed stitching. No signs of wear. The knee articulation, the reinforced stitching, and the quality materials make me confident they’ll last for many seasons. Outdoor Vitals clearly knows how to blend lightweight design with long-term durability.

One morning I took them hiking on a nearby trail and it was very wet that morning (we live near the ocean). I was walking through brush and the pants handled it SO well. Not only that, they dried quickly. That was a big deal and you can see that quick YouTube short here. 

3. Trail-Tested Versatility

The Skyline Joggers easily adjust to changing trail conditions. On cool mornings, they provide coverage and warmth. As the sun comes out, they have great ventilation that allows for cooling on the warmer days. If you watch the video below you can see how Outdoor Vitals designed these to keep airflow going while keep you protected. Not only that, they have great elastic cuffs at the bottom to keep debris out of your pants while hiking. This is the style of pants I was looking for! 

4. Thoughtful Pocket Design

Let’s talk pockets. I think that pockets matter in pants. I like to put my hands in pockets. I like to carry my essentials in my pockets. I want to know if my hand will slide in easily or if it will take an excavator to get my hands in there. These pants pass the pocket test. 

These pants come with front hand pockets that are just right for your phone, chapstick, or a small knife. But my favorite feature is the zippered back pocket, which gives me peace of mind that my wallet or keys are secure on trail. It’s the kind of functional detail that really matters when you’re miles from the trailhead.

Final Thoughts

After wearing the Skyline Trail Joggers on multiple hikes, washing them, stretching them, and putting them through real-world trail conditions, I can honestly say these are the pants I’ll be reaching for all season long. Whether you’re backpacking through the Sierra or heading out for a local loop, these joggers check all the boxes.

If you're in the market for a lightweight, breathable, and tough pair of trail pants — these are 100% worth checking out.

Quick heads up: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for the support! 

My backpacking gear list

Growing up in the mountains I started hiking as a little kid. I remember hiking with my mom on some amazing trails. One of my favorite was called Castle Rock. It was a hike where you ended up climbing this huge rock (huge to a 6 year old) and having a view of Big Bear Lake. As a seventeen year old I remember picking up PCT hitchhikers who needed a ride to town. I always dreamed of hiking that trail and maybe one day I will. 

When I was in my twenties I started backpacking. I went to Costa Rica on a trip to build suspending rope bridges for the locals could cross the rivers in the rain forest. It was an amazing trip. Ask me about it one day! Then I did a week in Death Valley and loved it. Sleeping under the stars. Cowboy camping and connecting with God. It was what my soul needed. 

I didn't backpack for a while but have gotten back into it in the last couple of years. I've taken both my daughters to the top of Half Dome and gone backpacking with my son. Sometimes, in my YouTube videos, people ask about my gear.

Here is some of my current gear load out: 

Shadowlight 60L- https://bit.ly/3vZ7Izz   

Nemo Tensor- https://amzn.to/3Pmk9jA  

Fortuis 1p Tent- https://bit.ly/3LxK3xD  

Stormloft Down Topquilt- https://bit.ly/3lJwBun 

MSR PocketRocket- https://amzn.to/44DQUNA 

Toaks 750ml Pot- https://amzn.to/3EkliCa 

Hiking Shirt- https://www.rei.com/product/185196/rei-co-op-sahara-shade-hoodie-mens 

Bear Vault- https://amzn.to/3Pj6Pwt 

Insulated Backpacking Meal Cozy- https://www.etsy.com/shop/FindingTrail?ref=l2-about-shopname 

Nitecore NU25- https://amzn.to/3Enoqgx 

Outdoor Vitals Sleeping Bag Liner- https://bit.ly/44zaOJS

Katedyn Filter- https://amzn.to/45RNzf0 

Peak Refuel Meals- https://amzn.to/3R1CmV5 

Powerbank- https://amzn.to/3P0hnPN 

Tiny Pump- https://amzn.to/3EnZgyg 

Hydrapak- https://amzn.to/483DLR9 

Trekking Poles- https://www.rei.com/product/184761/rei-co-op-flash-carbon-trekking-poles-pair 

Shot on GoPro Hero 8- https://amzn.to/45D376E  

Quick heads up: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for supporting my channel! 

REI good & used

Have you ever found something so amazing that you wanted to keep it to yourself but you knew you had to share it? This is what I'm talking about with the REI good & used site.

About a year ago I stumbled on this portion of their website. I wish I could remember how because it would make that portion of the story that much more epic... but I have three kids, work full-time, and am constantly tired. I have been an REI member for about 18 years now so I think I'm kinda in the loop on REI.

Let me get to the story. I was prepping to hike Half Dome and needed a new pair of shoes. I was looking all over the REI site and couldn't find a pair I was stoked on. Time was ticking on the trip and I needed to act quickly. I found the good & used portion of the website and it started to click. I found a pair that was my size and in excellent condition. I have to be honest that I was a bit nervous at first but am an avid REI garage sale fan so I knew it would be good.

The shoes arrived and I think they were brand new. Read that sentence again; brand new! So new looking that I put my nose into them and took a huge wiffffff. I was convinced they were brand new. I just got brand new shoes for like 33% off. They were so comfortable and brought me to the top of Half Dome with no issues.

This is where the story continues.

At the beginning of this year I made a commitment to try to buy as much used gear, clothes, bikes, kids toys, and basically anything I could. I want to do my part to make sure the earth is a safe place for my kids to grow up in. I know there are finite resources on our planet and if we keep throwing things in the land fills it's a sad future. This is one reason that I love the REI good & used site. They are giving gear, backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, jackets, shoes, trekking poles, and more a second chance in life. Maybe their first owner had a bad hike and didn't want to keep participating. Maybe a family had a bummer camping trip and gave up. This is where we come in. We find that gear and give it a second chance to live it's life in the outdoors.

Just last month we picked up:
REI duffel bag
Brand new chaco shoes
Rash guard for my daughter
40 oz HydroFlask
Patagonia sweater for my daughter

All of this gear was a great deal.
All of this gear was in great shape.
All of this gear will get a second chance.

Now when I buy gear, I've primarily stuck to excellent condition items. That has been a personal choice.

The HydroFlask was basically perfect.
The Patagonia sweater looks brand new.

As a dad, I get it. You buy your kid something and then a week later it doesn't fit. You return it to REI. REI doesn't put it in the landfill!
Now my kid gets to wear it.
Now I get to take those shoes to Half Dome.
Now my daughter has a HydroFlask for when she volunteers at the ranch she rides at.

As bad as I want to keep the REI good & used gear site to myself, I just can't. There are too many great deals on there right now! Maybe you will follow my lead. Maybe you will take it for a test run and find yourself looking to purchase pre-owned before brand new. Imagine the possibilities.

* I get no commission from REI for writing this post. Just trying to help out.