Alpine Fit

We stopped the line when we started production and I want to tell you why.

We LOVE the Fastpacker Fleece, and so many of you do, too. We want it to be the most proudly perfect version in its best form, every time.

Let’s rewind a bit. We used to make everything ourselves in Alaska. We started the brand before covid afterall, and making things ourselves is how we survived and stayed in business, and grew our awesome community in Alaska. We also had complete transparency and control of every aspect of how things came off the line.

We work with contractor partners in California now (as well as still sewing a small amount in Alaska!). Our gear is all Made in USA, and special styles like the Fastpacker Fleece - the fabric too is fully Made in the USA.

As the Fall 2026 Fastpacker Fleece samples came in for approval before beginning production this season, something just didn’t feel right in my gut. It just didn’t have the modern length and fit that is what makes me feel so great in this fleece, in my hiking clothes, and jeans, traveling on a long road trip or through airports. We had so many people tell us how much they loved that special length and fit styling of this style. So we halted everything. Even though I was dying to get this style back in stock.

Then we had a good look at the sewing patterns, the original samples and production runs, the feedback from the first batches and the most recent batches, and with the full confidence in the quality control of the factory partner we are working with, we made some refinements to ensure we get that just right fit, and went through another round of sampling!

Sometimes the right call is difficult to make. You probably know this, but a small brand is indeed a small business, and if you don’t have your bestsellers in stock, you don’t have what you need to pay the bills. But if you don’t make a truly great product that people love, in our case, great outdoor clothing and accessories, you won’t be in business for the long haul!

So after a lot of measuring, testing, fitting different sizes on different bodies and asking a lot of questions, we landed on what I know in my heart is what this style is supposed to be.

It is a bit of a modern shorter/boxier shape than a regular old school basic mid-layer. There’s a little more length in the larger sizes, but not too much extra sleeve length. It has a generous hood so the shoulders don’t ride up when you wear the hood and turn your head to the side. It has thoughtful features like stretch mesh binding the hem, cuffs and hood opening instead of thick elastic, so everything breathes and dries as quick as the rest of the garment. Thumb loops, a pony tail exit and the magical Polartec® Alpha™ Direct 90 fabric. Chef’s kiss! Perfection.

All of this means we are producing the best version of this fleece we have ever made instead of one that would possibly disappoint me, or anyone. Instead, it will hopefully do nothing but impress you.

I guess this is what it looks like when a brand actually listens. I wouldn’t have it any other way!

– Jen

It's Jen's birth month and the whole Alpine Fit team wanted to take a minute to celebrate her.

Watching Jen in a given week is a lot. She's a mom getting her kids where they need to be, a wife, a founder running a small business with more moving parts than most people realize, a friend who shows up, a daughter who calls home, and somehow also the person filming, writing, and building most of what you see on this account. She does all of it, and she does it while still being one of the kindest people we get to work with every day.

Alpine Fit exists because of her vision and her willingness to keep going on the long days, and we don't say that enough.

Happy birth month, Jen. We're so lucky to build this with you!

– The Alpine Fit team

Here's a little behind-the-scenes look at the inspiration behind our Travel T-Shirt colors.

Every landscape in this post is a real place I've explored and photographed. As we developed the color palette for this collection, these places helped inspire the Pantone shades we chose.

I love that each color has a story behind it, and now you get to see a little piece of those stories, too.

Do you have a favorite pairing?

– Jen + The Alpine Fit team

Hale out on the trail, looking good!

Summer mountain mornings start early. Long days, fresh breeze, warm sun, and all the reasons to get outside as much as possible. The Merino Wool Lined Headband is such a great piece for this and any time of year because it works beautifully as a hairband on the warmer stretches and folds down to full ear coverage the moment you gain elevation or catch a breeze at the summit. Two uses, one piece, and it tucks into any pocket when you are not wearing it.

We love seeing it out on the trail! Tag us in yours and show us where your summer adventures are taking you. Link in bio!

– Jen + The Alpine Fit team

Okay it's time for the inside scoop 👀

Ten things about Alpine Fit you probably don't know, some a little predictable, some a little out there, all completely true. This brand runs on a small team, way too many late nights, and the best community we could have asked for.

Tell me which one surprised you the most. And if there's something you're curious about that's not on this list, ask away, I'll actually answer (will try my best with all the juggling!)

– Jen Loofbourrow, Founder/Owner @ Alpine Fit

I've been burning the candle at both ends a lot lately, early mornings and late nights. I can work on this business endlessly because I love it so much. But every once in a while you just have to switch off for a bit.

This summer has been so good for that. Little breaks here and there, trail runs, time with my kids and Willow and Hale. This past weekend we slipped away to Anacortes for a couple days with our kids, two friends and a whole log of outdoor gear. It was exactly what I needed. Trail running, mountain biking, wandering around downtown, eating really good food, and squeezing in some World Cup soccer game watching along the way.

Running a small business is a lot some weeks, but weekends like this are so special. They're what it is all about. Hope you're getting some good breaks of your own this summer too.

– Jen Loofbourrow, Founder/Owner @ Alpine Fit