It’s the time of year when the days are still short but New Year’s resolutions and goals abound. With fitness and health front-of-mind, it’s a fitting time to see the findings from the annual Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends.

This year’s trends include wearable technology, group fitness classes, workplace health initiatives, yoga, outdoor activities and more. Our favorite, of course, is seeing more people get outside. 

While we haven’t done our own survey, we do have a pulse on what’s going on in the outdoor community. Here are the outdoor activities we think will be big in 2019.

Sport Climbing

Indoor climbing has been on the rise for the past few years and we expect to see outdoor climbing grow too. There are countless sport climbing crags around the U.S. perfect for people new to climbing. If you want to check it out, find a knowledgeable mentor or guide service to show you the ropes.

Ridge tip: The Men’s or Women’s Heist Hoodie is the perfect Merino wool mid layer for a day at the crag. It’ll keep your body temperature in check and is easy to slip under your harness. Also, check out the Men's Merino Wool Journey T-shirt  -- included in Outside Magazine's round-up for Best Climbing Gear of 2019. 

Trail Running

What’s not to love about covering a ton of ground and getting a great workout while you’re doing it? People are figuring out that it’s more fun to ditch the asphalt and spend time in some beautiful places by foot. And there’s no easier sport to try out: a pair of running shoes is pretty much all you need.

Ridge tip: For women, the Jovi Tank is perfect for running as it breathes and doesn’t retain odor. It also offers more coverage than a traditional tank, so you don't have to worry about adjusting it mid-workout. For men, grab a pair of our Merino wool (m)Force Boxer Briefs, one of Outside Magazine's picks for Best Men's Running Gear of 2019.

Backcountry Skiing

With people looking for more chances to get off the beaten path and away from the busy ski resorts, backcountry skiing is likely to grow. It’s a sport that requires a lot of knowledge and equipment, so the best way to get a taste is to take a course. Be sure to take an intro to backcountry course before venturing out.

Ridge tip: Paired with our Heist Mid layer, our Aspect Midweight Base Layers deliver both warmth and breathability. When you’re skinning uphill, and even on the descent, a Merino wool layering system is your best friend as you can add/remove layers as needed based on your level of activity.

Camping

There’s something magical about sleeping under the stars. With technology making life increasingly connected and busy, many people are turning to activities that force them to unplug. While backpacking is the ultimate way to unplug, car camping can do the trick too -- toss your favorite bedding, a camp stove, a tent and a cooler of food in the car and you’re good to go.

Ridge tip: Lighten your pack load by wearing and sleeping in your Merino wool base layers. Keep your body heat in on a cold night in the tent with our Merino Beanie.

Yoga

While not exactly an outdoor activity, we’re seeing yoga move into the outdoors in beautiful ways (check out Mammoth's own outdoor Yoga Festival). Yoga is increasingly a go-to activity for many outdoor enthusiasts with research suggesting it can make you a better athlete overall. The physical and mental benefits of a yoga practice are unmatched.

Ridge tip: Our Women’s Frankie Tank and Men's Journey Merino wool T-shirt can be worn all day. Both breathe during indoor heated classes and can be layered or worn on their own during outdoor sessions.

Wherever this year takes you, we hope the great outdoors is part of it.