In unveiling its Spring 2025 collection, Seattle-based outdoor apparel manufacturer Outdoor Research continues to lean heavily into its roots — a brand founded in and inspired by the Pacific Northwest and a business built on a commitment to solving adventurers’ problems. Key Spring 2025 initiatives include:
- With its redesigned Foray and Aspire shell collection, Outdoor Research not only shows how it’s leading the industry in making outdoor apparel free of intentionally added PFAS, it also up levels its overall commitment to sustainability — these pieces are the first technical apparel in the outdoor industry certified as carbon neutral by Climate Impact Partners.
- OR has long been a pioneer in hybrid constructions — pairing different kinds of materials in new ways to unlock key benefits. That continues in 2025 with pieces like the Deviator Wind Jacket — which also grows the brand’s commitment to versatile layers that can be used for a variety of different activities — and the Swift Lite Hybrid Shorts.
- Softshell layers that combine weather protection with breathability have long been a specialty for Outdoor Research. Its new Ultima soft shell collection brings a new fabric to its offerings — a warmer, more protective softshell construction that employs a unique brushed, diamond-shaped grid structure inside to retain warmth.
- Building on the success of its mountain bike-specific Freewheel Collection launched in 2024, OR adds a rain shell, lightweight shorts and a hip pack to what is already a nine-piece lineup.
- Gaiters are the category the Outdoor Research brand was founded on, and it remains committed to incremental improvement. Three new gaiters offer different tools for different kinds of adventurers, including a complete redesign of the iconic Crocodile Gaiters.
New Key Spring 2025 Styles:
OUTERWEAR
Men’s Foray and Women’s Aspire 3L Jacket and Pant —The first technical apparel in the outdoor industry certified as carbon neutral by Climate Impact Partners, the redesigned Outdoor Research Foray and Aspire jacket and pant are free of intentionally added PFAS and feature an outdoor-industry first — a factory applied DWR treatment in partnership with industry leader Nikwax. Nikwax’s Direct. Dry, a high performance, factory applied Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment, is a highly durable, PFAS-free DWR. OR is Nikwax’s global launch partner for this DWR. Perennial best-sellers in the Outdoor Research line, the Foray and Aspire waterproof shell collection also integrate a new high-performance 3L fabric technology called AscentShell™ Dry. Made with bluesign®-approved materials, this advanced 3-layer membrane has 20k waterproof and 10k breathable performance, mechanical stretch, and a 100-percent recycled nylon face fabric with a solvent-free TPU hydrophilic membrane. The jacket employs OR’s signature TorsoFlo™ hip-to-bicep venting system. $249, jacket; $199, pants.
Freewheel Rain Jacket — After years of cyclists adopting its versatile outdoor apparel for riding, Outdoor Research jumped into the mountain bike market headlong in 2023 with its purpose-built Freewheel Collection. The new Freewheel Rain Jacket rounds out the line with ride-centric rainwear. With cycling-specific features like cape vents on the shoulder blades, a stowable hood that fits over helmets, and a stash pocket on the lower back, the Freewheel Rain Jacket is fully featured and protective yet has a light, packable design that stashes away compactly. $239.
Ultima Softshell Hoodie and Jacket — Offering a perfect balance of midweight warmth paired with weather protection and breathability, the Ultima Collection is built with a unique weather-resistant stretch double-weave softshell fabric. This super-stretchy material features a brushed, diamond-shaped grid interior that is super soft and helps retain warmth, and it’s also made with 92 percent recycled content. Bonded, gusseted wrist cuffs are clean and functional, and the three-panel hood fits exceptionally well. $199 hoodie, $179 jacket.
Deviator Wind Jacket — The Deviator Wind Jacket is an end user-driven design created for fast-paced activities like trail running and biking. Its hybrid construction employs a light, stretchy 20-denier nylon to protect from wind on the front of the body paired with OR’s Astroman Air fabric on the back, a lightweight woven material that maximizes breathability and stretch. Weighing in at less than five ounces, it packs down to a minimalist size. $145.
TECHNICAL SPORTSWEAR
Freewheel Lite Ride Shorts — With rider-centric features like articulated leg openings and a contoured waistband, the Freewheel Lite Ride Shorts are a lighter-weight and more budget-friendly option relative to their beefier counterpart, the original Freewheel Ride Shorts. Designed to layer over a chamois or liner short, the Freewheel Lite Ride Shorts feature a durable nylon-spandex fabric with four-way stretch, a gusseted crotch, low-profile waist adjustment tabs, a slide-lock front snap closure for security and a zippered top-loading right hip pocket. The inseam is slightly shorter than the regular Freewheel Ride Shorts at 10.5” and 8” for men and women respectively. $100.
Men’s Timberline Pants and Shorts Collection — The new men’s Timberline collection — a 5-Pocket Pant, Chino Pant and Short — offers elevated, functional design for day-in/day-out versatility, whether it’s hiking, climbing, camping, travel or just everyday life on the itinerary. Made from bluesign-approved nylon with 5 percent spandex for stretch, the Timberline collection is abrasion-resistant, breathable, stretchy, quick-drying, and UPF 50+. Compared to OR’s popular Ferrosi collection, the Timberline is slightly heavier weight and even more durable. $125, 5-Pocket Pants and Chinos; $90, Shorts.
Swift Lite Hybrid Shorts — The new Swift Lite Hybrid Shorts combine the lightweight performance of a running short with the rugged versatility of OR’s legendary Ferrosi collection. By combining the lighter-weight Swift material in the front and the Ferrosi fabric in the back, OR has produced the ultimate warm-weather shorts for hiking, trail running and other fast-paced activities. The Swift Lite Hybrid shorts, which have a 7-inch inseam for men and 3.5 for women, are lightweight, breathable, quick-drying, UPF 30, water-resistant and moisture-wicking. $80.
GAITERS, HATS AND GEAR
Crocodile Gaiters — The completely redesigned Crocodile Gaiters feature a slimmer profile that fits better on modern boots and a new GORE-TEX ePE waterproof membrane. But the most standout feature is an updated instep strap that’s both ultra-durable and field-replaceable. Consulting extensive research in redesigning of one of its most iconic products, the Outdoor Research team determined that the primary point of failure in all gaiters across the market is the strap, which renders the product useless. OR set about creating a strap that machines weren’t even able to force to fail. It’s also connected to a hook-and-loop system that allows users to fix the strap in the field if it breaks (but it won’t). $99.
Ferrosi Trail Gaiters — A lightweight softshell gaiter for warmer temps that keeps trail debris or snow out of your footwear, the updated Ferrosi Trail Gaiters now feature a design that lets you take them on and off without removing your shoes. They also have a replaceable Hypalon instep stray. A bonded stretch hem and boot lace hook keep the gaiter tight and secure around your shoe. $49.
Swift Run Gaiters — Light and low profile, the Swift Run Gaiters keep trail debris out of your shoes with a light, highly breathable stretch fabric patterned for a close, secure fit over running footwear. They come with an adhesive hook tab to attach to shoes and have UPF 50 sun protection. $29.
Stratoburst Rain Hat — The new Stratoburst Rain hat incorporates OR’s new bluesign©-approved Ventia fabric to create a breathable, lightweight and extremely packable waterproof lid that combines superior stretch for daily and active use. $52.
Loam 5-Panel Cap — With its breathable, quick-drying mesh side panels and low-profile fit, the Loam 5-Panel Cap provides lightweight sun protection in a sleek, stylish package. Its polyester fabric is 100 percent recycled. $35.
Freewheel 2.5L Hip Pack – When you need an extra bottle of water and a wind shell for your ride, the Freewheel 2.5L Hip Pack offers excellent carrying capacity considering its compact size. A ribbed mesh back panel adds airflow for comfort. $65.
About Outdoor Research
Since 1981, Outdoor Research has created trusted apparel, accessories, and equipment for you to thrive outside. Our award-winning outdoor gear is meticulously researched and tested for outdoor enthusiasts and military users around the globe. Grounded in our values of curiosity, passion, innovation, collaboration and community, we strive to create space for all in the outdoors. We celebrate wins outside at every level together with our ambassadors, non-profit partners and employees. Join us at outdoorresearch.com.
