Outdoor Vitals
Performance-first ultralight gear for real mountain use — built to help backpackers move efficiently, stay protected, and make better decisions in the backcountry.
Visit Outdoor VitalsFounder of Outdoor Vitals. Host of the Live Ultralight Podcast. Builder, backpacker, fastpacker, and creator focused on helping people spend more time in wild places.


Tayson Whittaker is the founder and CEO of Outdoor Vitals, a Utah-based outdoor gear company built around performance-first ultralight backpacking gear and direct customer connection.
He started Outdoor Vitals in 2014 with a small personal investment and a simple belief: better gear can help people go farther, stay more comfortable, and spend more meaningful time outside. Since then, Outdoor Vitals has grown into a self-funded outdoor brand with a global customer base, award-winning gear, and a deep library of educational content to help get people into the outdoors, Tayson & Outdoor Vitals ultimate purpose.
Tayson’s work now extends beyond products. Through YouTube, the Live Ultralight podcast, podcast interviews, and long-form outdoor content, he shares lessons from the trail, the product-development table, and the realities of building an outdoor brand without outside investors.
Performance-first ultralight gear for real mountain use — built to help backpackers move efficiently, stay protected, and make better decisions in the backcountry.
Visit Outdoor VitalsField-tested gear insights, backpacking education, trip stories, and behind-the-scenes perspective from the founder of Outdoor Vitals.
Watch latest videosConversations and education on ultralight backpacking, gear systems, product design, and spending more time outside.
Listen to episodesPodcast and media appearances covering entrepreneurship, fastpacking, product design, backpacking, trail running, and the outdoor industry.
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