This New Outdoor Apparel Line Is Inspired By A Canadian Outdoor Lifestyle (Win!)

Itching to get outdoors?! Hikesity, a newly launched Vancouver-based technical apparel brand, proudly announces the launch of its latest collection. Drawing inspo from the serene beauty of Canada and founded by Eva Lin, former global marketing director at Alibaba, Hikesity blends advanced Eastern design with the rugged Canadian outdoor lifestyle to set a new standard in outdoor gear for adventurous families. We chatted with Eva to learn more (and find out where her favourite hikes take her!). —Vita Daily

What inspired you to transition from a corporate career at Alibaba to founding Hikesity, and how have your global travels influenced the brand’s philosophy and design?

I worked for eight years at a highly competitive company (Alibaba) in the fast-paced world of e-commerce, within a country known for its intense work culture. Every day, I was focused on hitting performance targets. While the job was fulfilling, it left me with little time for myself, and my body was constantly tired. That’s why I cherished taking about two weeks off each year to travel abroad. These breaks allowed me to completely unwind, find inner peace amidst various cultural and natural settings, and gather insights and inspiration that I later applied to my work.

I chose Canada because, during a previous trip to Vancouver, I noticed so many people with genuinely happy smiles. I wanted to be in a place where residents truly felt happy. There’s a saying in China, ‘Balance between tension and relaxation,’ which speaks to the need for equilibrium between work and rest. Traveling to different places to relax helps me recharge and face heavy workloads with renewed energy.

Many women around me lead similarly busy lives. They juggle work and family, often taking on the roles of employees, wives, and mothers. They increasingly prioritize others, often forgetting to take care of themselves. I hope they can occasionally step outside, even if it’s just for a walk in nearby nature, to be alone or to enjoy outdoor activities with their families. They should be able to comfortably handle potential challenges from nature, like sunburn or catching a cold. These ‘superwomen’ are truly remarkable, and I understand them. My brand philosophy and designs are all created with them in mind.

Hikesity’s collection integrates Eastern design with the Canadian outdoor lifestyle. Can you share how this unique blend is reflected in the products and why it’s important to the brand’s identity?

Canada is home to some of the world’s best outdoor brands, and Canadians’ love for outdoor activities deeply resonates with me. Nature is both beautiful and harsh, so it’s essential for busy individuals to protect themselves while staying comfortable and relaxed. Drawing from Eastern philosophy’s emphasis on wellness and balance, our outdoor clothing is designed to maintain the right temperature and humidity, provide support, ensure breathability, and offer protection against the elements.

For instance, certain areas of the body, like below the neck, shoulders, and lower abdomen, are particularly susceptible to cold. We use fabrics that retain warmth and add thicker protection in these areas to keep the body comfortable. That’s why we created a thermal tank top that combines underwear with a stylish tank. This single piece can replace two layers in cold weather, offering both comfort and freedom of movement. It also features widened straps to protect the shoulders, a French-style neckline, and removable chest pads. Made from Toyobo fabric, this material is brushed to be as fine as 1/10th the thickness of a hair strand, naturally raising the skin’s surface temperature by 5 degrees Celsius. It’s highly elastic, stretches to twice its width, and prevents static electricity in dry weather.

We also designed high-rise leggings with a thickened, customizable waistband. Our wellness philosophy is woven into every design detail, resulting in pieces that feel exceptionally comfortable. You might not know why you feel so good in them, but that’s okay—just enjoy it.

With your experience at Alibaba, particularly in developing the Double 11 Shopping Festival and building the Tmall brand, how do you plan to leverage this expertise to position Hikesity in the market?

The success of Double 11 (Singles’ Day) is rooted in designing key elements that resonate with human nature. We chose the coldest weather for the event, as people are more inclined to shop when it’s cold, and selected an easy-to-remember date, 11/11. We also transformed the event into a festival with ceremonial customs reminiscent of the Chinese New Year. My marketing philosophy has always been about tapping into what feels natural, memorable, and intimate to people, making experiences effortlessly unforgettable. I aim to make Hikesity just as recognizable and memorable.

Recently, we launched the ‘Comfort in The City’ campaign, inviting some of these ‘superwomen’ to wear our products comfortably while visiting their favorite hiking spots and city landmarks, either alone or with loved ones. In China, I’ve built a career as a blogger with hundreds of thousands of followers, sharing my professional experiences to help young people navigate their careers. In North America, I hope to connect with busy yet clear-minded women, discussing their life and work anxieties and how they find their most comfortable lifestyle. This isn’t about marketing—it’s about respecting human nature and spending the rest of my life surrounded by wonderful people and experiences.

Could you elaborate on the innovative technologies and materials used in Hikesity’s apparel, such as Thermal Silk, Hush Fiber, and UV Tweed, and how they enhance the functionality and comfort of your products?

The thermal tank top I mentioned earlier is designed to provide comfortable and warm base layers for autumn and winter through advanced fabric treatment and optimized tailoring. For summer sun protection clothing, we focus on enlarged and widened brims to increase coverage. The fabric is made of cool ice silk, which feels cool and breathable, with all sun protection products offering a minimum UPF of 50.

When it comes to summer sun hats, traditional brands typically use two layers, but we use three. The outer layer features high-end, Chanel-like fabrics for a stylish look that’s easy to match. The middle layer provides solid support while ensuring UPF 50+ protection. The inner layer is made of cool ice silk fabric, paired with thickened, soft sweatbands for added comfort. The sweatband is also crafted from 3A antibacterial material, enhancing hygiene and making the hat more comfortable to wear.

Hikesity emphasizes versatility and functionality, with features like side zippers and built-in bras. How do you envision these design elements meeting the needs of adventurous families?

Hikesity’s products are designed for busy superwomen who juggle work, family, and multiple roles. With little time to think about outfits, they still want to look perfect. Our clothing not only meets functional needs for natural environments but is also versatile and efficient.

For example, our sun protection jackets feature side zippers that adjust to different body types, allowing for a relaxed fit during outdoor activities or a tailored look for city commutes and social events. Our thermal tank tops come with removable chest padding, so women can choose to wear a bra or not, depending on the occasion. The neutral colors make them easy to pair with both outdoor gear and business attire.

We also offer reversible summer tank tops with a V-neck on one side and a U-neck on the other, providing two styles in one piece. Our designs adapt to various occasions, from work and meetings to hikes, social gatherings, and family dinners, saving time and allowing more moments to enjoy with loved ones.

Sustainability is a key focus for Hikesity. How do you ensure your products are environmentally friendly, and what steps are you taking to maintain sustainability throughout your supply chain?

My commitment to environmental sustainability is reflected in our approach to versatile clothing. While creating Double 11 was a major achievement, it also highlighted a downside: many people made impulsive purchases, generating excess packaging waste. This experience left me feeling guilty and motivated me to address the negative impacts of overconsumption.

I aim to change this mindset by promoting mindful and minimalist shopping. Products designed for multiple uses and occasions, balancing durability and style, can adapt to changing trends while conserving resources and reducing waste. My master’s thesis focused on sustainable design, which later became a required course at my alma mater where I taught for eight years. Designing energy-efficient packaging—considering its entire lifecycle from creation to disposal—is crucial. Hikesity’s products and packaging will embody this philosophy.

We also advocate for green travel and plan to collaborate with sustainability-focused charities for environmental protection activities. We hope our superwomen will join us in involving their families in these efforts.”

Looking to the future, what are your plans for expanding Hikesity’s offerings, and how do you see the brand evolving to continue empowering families in their outdoor adventures?

We will expand from women’s apparel to address the needs of the entire family, aiming to provide protection for everyone. In the future, we plan to extend our product range to include items for urban light outdoor activities, such as backpacks designed for both city commuting and outdoor camping, water bottles with exceptional thermal insulation, and smart technology products that I have long been involved with. Our goal is to meet the multifunctional needs of superwomen and their families for all their outdoor adventures.

What’s your favourite hike to do in/around Vancouver?!

I currently split my time between China and Vancouver. When I’m in Vancouver, I live in Burnaby, where my husband and I often go hiking. One of our favorite spots is Deer Lake, where I frequently take evening walks or runs. It’s a place where we can sit and let our minds wander, and many of our ideas come from this spot. The view is striking: on the right, you see the high-rise buildings of Metrotown; on the left, lush green forests; and in front, a calm lake. This setting has inspired much of our thinking about Hike & City.

Another place we visit regularly is Burnaby Lake, where we go each week to watch the Canada geese and wild birds. We’ve been there so often that we even know which birds have had offspring. We also occasionally visit Burnaby Mountain Park.

Win! A $200 All-Access Hikesity Gift Card!

Congrats Teresa H. of Mississauga, ON, who will receive a $200 All-Access Hikesity Gift Card! To enter, head over to Instagram, follow @hikesity and @vitadailymedia and make sure to fulfil all the entry rules in the caption of the corresponding contest post. Contest opens August 22, 2024 and closes August 29, 2024. Complete contest rules and regulations here. Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadailymedia. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.