Already a well-respected footwear brand for trail and off-road running, inov-8 has taken the next step and recently launched its first hiking clothing range, designed for faster, lighter outdoor adventure. 

The brand from the English Lake District is well known for its award-winning hike and running footwear and now the apparel expansion includes a full clothing collection called Venturelite.

“We’ve seen the continued growth in popularity of faster-paced hiking and want to give these outdoor lovers the same speedy-feel that trail runners enjoy from their clothing but with the necessary hiking twists,” explains Helen Stuart, inov-8’s head of clothing and equipment. “We’ve kept all the garments super-lightweight by removing unnecessary features and instead sharply focused on the things which hikers really need to safely go faster on trails and chase down mountain summits.”

With a carefully designed ergonomic fit that works with the body’s natural movements when hiking, the range includes comfortable mid-layers, hoodies, tees, trousers and shorts. A three-layer waterproof jacket boasting high levels of breathability will launch in time for winter.

Stuart, whose team also launched the brand’s first gym clothing range earlier this year, adds: “The hike collection has been designed with layering in mind, with each style working in sync with the other. This mirrors our trail running range, but with the overall feel being less athletic and more relaxed.

 “And while it is all light and fast, no compromise has been made on protection or durability either, with each garment designed for multi-day use and materials carefully chosen to enhance a longer lifespan.”

The collection was researched and designed in the Lake District, taking two years from original concept to launch. 

Across both inov-8’s hike and run clothing ranges there are 36 styles, of which two-thirds contain recycled yarn content. All the recycled yarns are certified by the Global Recycled Standard, which verifies recycled content and ensures responsible production. 

All main fabrics also carry the Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex guaranteeing the absence of substances that are harmful or may present a risk to health. Packaging comes in the form of new polybags featuring biodegradable organic technology.