Why We Started V1 Active

For the past decade, the trail has been our teacher.

Backpacking through forests, navigating city streets in foreign countries, living from the back of a van, catching surf breaks, and climbing cold ridgelines—these are the moments that shaped V1 Active. When you're living light, on the go, or embracing minimalism as a way of life, you quickly realize something: your gear matters.
Every item you carry is a choice. Every ounce is intentional.

And yet, for years, one decision kept frustrating me: what jacket do I bring?

Do I carry a parka that takes up half my bag and weighs like a sack of bricks? Or do I gamble with a raincoat that has zero warmth? Do I bring both and give up space for something else? Or worse—do I bring neither and hope the weather is kind?

The truth is, I needed one jacket that could do it all. Not an overpriced fashion shell. Not a crinkly single-use poncho. Something that packed small, wore comfortably, handled the elements, and adapted to my lifestyle. One jacket for all versions of me.
That’s where V1 Active began.

From the Trail to the Terminal

V1 Active isn’t just a jacket. It’s a philosophy.

We believe in multi-use, multi-functional, and minimal design. Our goal is to enable our community with gear that doesn’t ask them to choose between form or function, warmth or weight, urban or wild. The V1 jacket is designed to be your outerwear for all terrains:

• A raincoat with warmth.
• A winter layer that packs small.
• A post-swim blanket.
• A travel companion that fits in your carry-on.

When you don’t use it, it tucks away. When you need it, it delivers.

 

Designed for the Doers

V1 Active is for people like you:

• Backpackers who count ounces.
• Van lifers who live small.
• Surfers and swimmers who need privacy to change.
• Travelers who move through multiple climates in one day.
• Hikers, climbers, skiers, and everyday adventurers who crave function without sacrificing form.

We are here for those who want less, but need it to do more.
V1 Active is for the one version of you that exists in every environment.

Let it carry you further.

 

Stay tuned for the next post: The V1 Ethos: Built Different