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The year was 2015. Obama was president, green juice was nigh, and Outdoor Voices and Man Repeller—with Tyler Haney and Leandra Medine Cohen still at the helm of both brands, respectively—collaborated on a “kit”: a head-to-toe athleisure look that was meant to be worn both inside the gym and out.
It was the first of many viral moments I can recall in the early Outdoor Voices days. Over the next few years, the brand became a movement. Haney was a young, 20-something founder who deeply understood her millennial clientele. She introduced a wave of yuppies to the notion of athleisure—that fitness apparel could be attractive, stylish, and fun, and not just utilitarian and “sporty”—and, therefore, the notion that anyone who is merely #DoingThings can be an athlete. For me, this ethos democratized movement. I remember feeling encouraged to walk, to move, to do even a 10- or 15-minute workout, because suddenly workouts were pitched to me like rainbows: colorful, ethereal, and even transportive. Just by being mildly active in a pair of color-blocked leggings, I could be part of a club where I had never felt I belonged. And, honestly, that was huge.
But things came to a head for Haney and her brand once the pandemic arrived. She was pushed out in 2020, and soon after, the once-beloved “OV” seemingly fell off the face of the planet. Brands like Alo, Lululemon, and Vuori caught on to what millennials (and later Gen Z) wanted from athleisure; others, like Gap, started making similar looks for significantly less. Friends of mine would complain that OV lost its touch: The quality and fit had declined, and even the customer service and branding felt off. By 2024, all of OV’s brick-and-mortar locations were shuttered, with the brand reportedly on the brink of bankruptcy. Months later, Consortium Brand Partners acquired the brand, and by that summer convinced Haney to come back on to lead the relaunch. She agreed, and brought her original OV design lead, Hannah Wilkinson, along with her.
Our office was abuzz in July when the news of all this started to trickle out (with an Instagram stunt, no less—OV unfollowed everyone but Haney and wiped its grid clean). We kept our eyes on the first number of drops over the latter half of this year, knowing that, ultimately, we would need to try OV 2.0 for ourselves. Was it as good as the OG? Better? Would we be sorely disappointed? So this fall we called in a handful of pieces from the Hike Collection, which launched in October. Here, read three SELF editors’ honest reviews on how the styles stack up.
When I first saw this on the new OV site, I knew it felt familiar and nostalgic…and then I realized what it recalled: a somewhat obscure 1998 Britney Spears photoshoot for a German teen mag in which she is wearing a similar periwinkle-cornflower baby tee. I was sold. The waffle material is nice and thick, which, for me, compensated for the overall baby-ness of the tee (I am not a crop top wearer). The top still provided ample coverage—my midriff wasn’t hanging out, nor were the outline of my nipples. I wore a size medium; I had the hunch that the top would run on the small side, and I was right. Best styled with a pair of capri-length cargo pants, it’s a baby tee with a little bit of everything, in what I believe is the perfect shade of blue. —Hannah Pasternak, Lifestyle Director
This is my favorite piece from the collection. I wore them doing errands, cheering at the NYC Marathon, and out running. They’re comfy, flexible, warm, and cute. Other than the fact that track pants are all the rage right now, I really loved the material and design. The zipper side panel allows you to adjust the width of the leg, which is a nice touch. I prefer to wear them fully open for a wider-leg look. The material is very comfortable—it has a nice stretch that allows for a range of movements. As a 6'0" girl, though, these would truly be perfect if they had a slightly longer inseam, particularly the large. Especially for hiking, I don’t like to have my ankles exposed to the elements. —Katie Gunderman, Associate Manager, Social Media
These were a banger. They had the feel (and fit, when zipped) of the OG OV RecTrek Pant, which I once owned in four different colors. (Katie was aghast when I told her it had a tapered leg…. Gen Z will never understand what it was to be a New Yorker in 2016.) This is definitely the 2025 update, between the deep brown colorway and the wide leg. I felt like I was about to take a hip-hop class (complimentary). I took the small, which was a perfect fit. The waist sat just below my belly button, which I find ideal. They were flattering, secure, and not too restrictive for moving around. I’m really excited to wear these with a giant ash grey sweatshirt and dad sneakers around my neighborhood on a dreary Sunday. —H.P.
I got the Candy Fleece in large. I took it on an early morning run, layered with a sweatshirt, and it kept me nice and warm. The fit on this is slightly cropped, which is cute for day-to-day activities and running errands, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re taking it out on the trails. It’s also short in the sleeves if you’re long-limbed, so size up! I would love it more if the inside was a softer material—it’s a little scratchy on my arms. —K.G.
The Candy Fleece Jacket in Orchid Multi is a fun, colorful addition to my outdoor wardrobe. When it comes to jackets or outerwear, I usually size up for a roomier fit, but even the large in this style was more snug than expected. It doesn’t keep me very warm unless I layer it over a long-sleeve bodysuit to help retain heat. That said, it’s lightweight and stylish enough to make it a nice hike essential for maintaining a mild body temperature while you’re on the move (and look good while doing it). —Bianca Richards, Manager, Social Media
I prefer the other Candy Fleece style OV offers—the Snap Jacket—but was sent this one to try instead. Everyone at the office said it looked great on me, but it didn’t feel true to my style. I think another issue was that I would not ideally style this with leggings, but (as you can see in these photos) that’s how I wore it here. Size up…or try the MegaFleece Snap, which is what I have my eye on next. —H.P.
The classic OV legging is back, and I couldn’t help but get my hands on a pair, since the several I owned 10 years ago are unfortunately now out in the abyss. I had mixed feelings about this fabric back in the day—the first iteration of the legging felt too thick and stiff to me, with not enough stretch or flex, and I vaguely remember them feeling softer in a later version. These were nice and soft, I’m thrilled to report. I was also curious to check the price—according to an email receipt from the Outdoor Voices store in Soho in 2018, these retailed for $98…so would you look at that! I appreciate the honorarium despite everything else in New York skyrocketing in price since the pandemic. The last thing I’ll say is to take your smaller size—the medium was way too large in the crotch area for me. —H.P.
I’ve had an ambivalent relationship with activewear over the years, and these days I’m finding that my preferred workout outfit is leggings with a fitted long-sleeve: It provides compression and coverage, and I don’t feel naked, but it’s still flattering and doesn’t get in the way. This one does the job just fine—the material is compressive and sweat-wicking, and the color is nice. But it wasn’t as snug to the body as I would have liked. I took a medium, and I think the small would have been too short (and possibly too tight in the chest, and I don’t have big boobs), but the arms were too long. —H.P.
The RecTrek Cargo Pant has a chic, gorpcore vibe that’s easy to move in. I love the belt detail and the toggles at the bottom that cinch the pants. You’re locked in from waist to ankles and ready to brave any terrain. Again, my one wish with these is that I would love a slightly longer inseam, and I wore a size large. I really wish these completely covered my ankles and pooled over my shoes. —K.G.
The fit on the Waffle Longsleeve is definitely cropped. (I got a medium.) The material feels thick and durable—the type of fabric I would want to keep me warm outdoors. However, the cropped silhouette does not suggest warmth to me—outside, my midriff caught a real breeze—but this would be perfect on a nice day where you want a layer a little thicker than your average tank or tee. —K.G.
My mom has always told me to wear a hat in the winter, but as someone who takes personal style seriously (and has yet to find the perfect beanie that keeps me warm and looks good), I opt for headbands instead. The Frosted Headband keeps me cozy without sacrificing style. The soft fleece material adds to its appeal, protecting my ears from the cold while keeping my hair neatly in place, even on windy days. —B.R.
The Stratus Sweatpant isn’t my usual go-to for lounging, mainly because of its fabric. I typically love a cozy fleece, but this pair is made of 71% rayon, 24% nylon, and 5% spandex, and it feels more like an activewear essential as opposed to something more casual. After putting it to the test on the hills of Seattle, I found it to be a great addition to my travel wardrobe. The large fits perfectly on my petite, curvy frame, and I can fold the cuffs for a clean, tailored look that doesn’t bunch at the bottom. —B.R.
This is probably my favorite piece from the collection because of how effortlessly it flatters my figure without making me feel self-conscious. It will be an instant staple in my summer wardrobe. I can easily dress it up for a casual neighborhood stroll or wear it for an intense hike in the Catskills. I’ve tried a few other athletic dresses like this, but none offer the same secure support—especially around the chest and bottom. This one truly stands out as my new go-to. With its adjustable straps and built-in shorts with pockets, it’s both functional and flattering. —B.R.
Editor photos by Melissa Kramer.
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