Look, most outdoor gear exists on a spectrum between "you could survive a blizzard in this" and "absolutely nobody wants to look at you." RC Outdoor Supply has always tried to live somewhere more interesting than that, and their new collab with USAL Projects might be their best argument yet.
Reese Cooper's functional label has linked up with Michael Washington's creative agency USAL Projects for a nature-inspired performance capsule that drops May 8 - both online and in-store - with prices ranging from $38 to $238. That's a range wide enough for the broke hiker AND the person who budgets "vibe investment" as a line item.
So what are we actually getting?
The centerpiece is a plaid nylon ripstop running jacket, which sounds like three words that shouldn't belong together but somehow absolutely do. Ripstop nylon is the technical, no-nonsense stuff that doesn't quit when the weather turns ugly. Plaid is your granddad's fishing shirt. Vintage-inspired prints are the whole USAL Projects energy. The result, according to Hypebeast, is a capsule that mashes technical outdoor silhouettes with that worn-in, analog aesthetic that's been quietly running the culture for a few years now.
Beyond the jacket, you're looking at shorts, hats, tees, and a tote bag. The tote bag alone is going to be everywhere by June, and you already know it.
Why this actually matters
The outdoor fashion space is crowded right now - everyone and their algorithmic mood board is doing "gorpcore" or slapping a mountain logo on a fleece and calling it a lifestyle. What makes this one worth paying attention to is the pairing of two specific sensibilities: RC Outdoor Supply's commitment to making outdoor gear accessible and genuinely functional, and USAL Projects' creative direction that leans into storytelling and visual identity rather than just aesthetics for aesthetics' sake.
These aren't two brands duct-taping their logos together. This is a $38-$238 range that says "come as you are" without skimping on the thought behind the product.
When and where
The capsule hits on May 8 online and in-store. If the jacket is anything close to as good as it sounds on paper, don't wait around expecting your size to hold.
