Outdoor Voices Clothing Review: Is This Trending Athleisure Brand Worth the Hype?

If you‘re plugged into the world of athleisure and activewear, you‘ve likely heard the name Outdoor Voices pop up in your social media feeds and on the pages of fashion magazines like Vogue and Elle. This Austin-based brand has made major waves in the apparel industry since its launch in 2013, earning a reputation for its stylish, high-quality recreation wear and its mission to get more people moving their bodies and "doing things" for the pure fun of it.

As a fitness enthusiast always on the hunt for gear that performs well and looks great, I had to put Outdoor Voices to the test myself. I picked up several of their most popular pieces and wore them for all kinds of sweaty pursuits—from intense spin classes to casual hikes and dog walks. Does Outdoor Voices live up to the hype? Keep reading for my in-depth, tell-all review of this buzzy brand.

What Is Outdoor Voices? Behind the Brand

Before we jump into reviewing the actual products, let‘s take a step back and explore what Outdoor Voices is all about. Founded by entrepreneur Tyler Haney in New York City, the brand was born from a desire to create activewear that was not only functional for working out, but also fashionable enough to wear recreationally while "doing things" with friends and family.

The brand‘s mission is to "Get the World Moving" by freeing fitness from performance pressure and helping people embrace activity for fun and enjoyment. Outdoor Voices aims to create a community of "Recreational enthusiasts" who celebrate approachable, every day movement.

Outdoor Voices also sets itself apart with its commitment to sustainability. The brand prioritizes eco-friendly practices like using recycled and ethically-sourced materials, minimizing packaging waste, and partnering with fair-wage factories. By 2022, the company aims to use 80% recycled materials across its products.

Outdoor Voices Clothing: First Impressions

Aesthetically, Outdoor Voices apparel is the epitome of modern, chic athleticwear. The pieces have a sleek, streamlined look but with playful touches like pastel colors, unique textures, and flattering seaming. It‘s the kind of activewear you actually want to be seen in.

I was also immediately impressed with how soft and comfortable the fabrics felt. Outdoor Voices uses its own proprietary performance textiles like CloudKnit, TechSweat, Textured Compression, LightSpeed, and MegaFleece that feel great against the skin while providing the perfect balance of compression, stretch, breathability, and sweat-wicking.

Outdoor Voices Reviews: Putting the Top Styles to the Test

To really put Outdoor Voices through the paces, I wore several of their bestselling items for a range of activities. Here are my thoughts on the pieces I tried:

The Exercise Dress

The Exercise Dress is arguably Outdoor Voices‘ most iconic piece and a social media sensation. After trying it, I totally understand the hype. Made from ultra-lightweight LightSpeed fabric, this dress is breezy and effortless to wear while still offering support with a built-in shorts liner. I love the classic sporty silhouette with the crossover straps in the back. It‘s insanely versatile too—I wore it playing tennis, to brunch, and even on a bike ride and it worked for them all. Probably my favorite piece from Outdoor Voices.

RecTrek Pant

As someone who practically lives in leggings, I‘m super picky about the pairs I wear. The RecTrek stood up to my high standards. The heavyweight TerraStretch fabric feels substantial and slightly compressive while still having a good amount of flexibility and stretch. I liked the cropped length and handy zip pockets. I hiked and ran errands in these pants and they held up great and didn‘t sag or lose shape.

Doing Things Bra

For low-impact activities, the Doing Things Bra is a comfy, stylish pick. The longline silhouette and square neck is really trendy and flattering. I wore this for yoga and foam rolling/stretching and felt secure. Just note that the polyester-spandex fabric is fairly thin and revealing, so this isn‘t a bra I‘d pick for high-intensity training. Fine for low-key recreation though!

MegaFleece Sweatshirt

Wow, this sweatshirt is SOFT! Made from a recycled wool blend, the MegaFleece feels plush and cozy without being overly heavy. I like how it has a slightly oversized, boxy fit for a stylish, but not sloppy look. Kept me warm on chilly morning walks. It is a bit pricey for a basic sweatshirt, but the quality is definitely a step up from your average pullover.

Outdoor Voices Men‘s Activewear Review

While initially known for its women‘s apparel, Outdoor Voices also has a great selection of men‘s activewear. My husband put a few pieces to the test too. His feedback? Two thumbs up for the All Day Sweatpants in crazy-soft CloudKnit that he‘s been living in for WFH days and the Rectrek Zip-Off Pant that features zip-off lower legs to convert the pants into shorts. Perfect for unpredictable weather!

He‘s also a fan of the Soho Longsleeve made from breathable, lightweight TechSweat. It has a classic crewneck design and thumbholes to keep the sleeves in place. His one small complaint was he wished the shirts came in more colors/patterns.

Pricing: Is Outdoor Voices Worth It?

Now let‘s address the elephant in the room: the price tag. There‘s no denying that Outdoor Voices is one of the more expensive activewear brands out there, with sports bras going for $45-$75, leggings for $75-$100+, and jackets/sweatshirts upwards of $100.

Personally, I do think you‘re getting a high quality product for the price. All the pieces I tried felt very well-made and durable with premium performance fabrics, thoughtful design, and consistent sizing. While it‘s an investment, I could tell these were pieces that would last for years to come vs. cheaper activewear that falls apart after a season.

Outdoor Voices also has a great return policy in case you‘re not totally satisfied with your purchase. You can return any unworn items for a full refund within 45 days of the ship date. The brand offers free shipping on orders over $75 too, which is a plus. And students/teachers can score 20% off their purchase with a valid school email!

What Customers Are Saying

Of course, you don‘t have to just take my word for it. Outdoor Voices gets overwhelmingly positive reviews on its website and around the web. Fans rave about the incredible comfort, elevated athleisure style, and versatility of the pieces.

Some of the most common feedback I saw was customers saying Outdoor Voices is their go-to for "everyday" activewear and that the clothes make them actually excited to work out. Many reviewers noted that the shorts and leggings stayed in place without bunching or sagging during even the sweatiest activities. The soft, lightweight fabrics were another big selling point.

The few complaints I came across were mostly about the price point and some issues with colors fading over time. A handful of customers also had difficulty with sizing, so I‘d recommend checking the size chart and reading the product reviews before ordering.

The Bottom Line

So is Outdoor Voices worth the splurge? In my opinion, absolutely. No, it‘s not the cheapest activewear out there. But for the caliber of the pieces you‘re getting—the premium fabrics, flattering fits, smart designs, and do-it-all versatility—I think Outdoor Voices is 100% worth investing in.

This is hands down some of the most comfortable, functional, and stylish athleticwear I‘ve ever worn. And I love the brand ethos of making recreational movement fun, approachable, and rewarding. In Outdoor Voices gear, I feel ready to take on all kinds of "doing things," from intense workouts to leisurely hangs.

My top picks would be the Exercise Dress (trust me, you need this), the RecTrek Pant, and the MegaFleece sweatshirt. But really, I don‘t think you can go wrong with any of Outdoor Voices‘ collection. Whether your thing is running, yoga, dog-walking, or gym sessions, this versatile activewear will help you look and feel your best.

If you‘re ready to join the "doing things" movement, head to OutdoorVoices.com to shop or visit one of the brand‘s 13 retail stores across the country. And keep an eye out for OV‘s frequent pop-up events and collaborations with cool fitness studios for even more unique products and experiences.

Trust me, once you try Outdoor Voices, you‘ll never want to wear anything else for all your active pursuits. Your move, friends!