A lot of outdoor brands talk about helping get customers outside — but backpacking brand Outdoor Vitals is actually walking the walk. This annual program from the Utah-based brand supports and encourages people to meet an ambitious goal: hiking 100 miles.
It’s not a requirement to put in all those miles at once. You can space it out over several hikes. So if you’ve got the time and energy (and can pay the $68 participation fee), OV will help you on the way to crushing this goal.
And the outdoor effort comes with a hefty reward: Accomplishing this goal includes outdoor items from Outdoor Vitals with a combined $400 value.
The Program
Getting outside isn’t always easy. It’s hard to balance work and family life, let alone find time for the outdoors. That’s why the folks at OV started the 100 Mile Challenge back in 2022. Most people can’t take off enough time from work to do a big thru-hike. And if you’re not experienced in the outdoors, it can be intimidating to go on your first long hike.
And so it designed the program to “help push you beyond your current limits to accomplish something great. With an interactive training framework, coaching from OV team members, and support from other challenge participants, this challenge event can help you finish a dream hike this summer,” its website explained.
The brand chose the distance of 100 miles simply because it’s a hefty landmark number: “Covering that distance will bring you HUGE satisfaction, but requires a lot of knowledge, prep, and effort,” OV said.
The brand added that participating in the challenge will foster health, confidence, and camaraderie.
How It Works
The set-up is simple. Participants sign up and state what their goal is: Maybe it’s to hike a new trail, or to set a new personal best time on a trail you’ve done before. You choose whether you’ll complete the 100 miles in one go (nonstop) or over multiple hikes (stacked).
From there, OV provides a training framework and workbook to help you hit your goal, and encourages participants to share their journeys online in small groups. Then, from July 1 to Sept. 30, everyone hits the trail and attempts to achieve their goals. Once you finish, you submit photos and proof of your hikes.
While the program isn’t free (it costs $68), it does come with a package that OV values at $400. Just choosing to participate means you’ll get:
- OV Altitude Sun Hoodie
- 100-Mile Challenge T-shirt
- A printed workbook
- Digital course modules
- Access to an online community, Q&A sessions
Finishers of the challenge will also receive a hat, medal, and stickers. If you’ve got a big hiking goal this summer and want some help (along with a bit of gear), learn how to sign up on the Outdoor Vitals website.
