Gap Quietly Revisits Its Long-Lost, Hidden-Gem Athletic Lifestyle Brand

Is Gap testing the waters for a full relaunch?

Light gray hoodie with black drawstrings on a blue background.Gap

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Over its unfortunately short two-year run, Hill City managed to earn the type of loyal following that ordinarily takes decades to grow. Of course, the notoriety and resources of its parent company, Gap, helped, but its pragmatic design, reliable quality and fair prices merited the reverence.

Gap has undergone a gentle rebranding over the past couple of years, and it looks like a revival of Hill City may be in the works. At the very least, a small collection of athletic-leaning apparel bearing the defunct sub-brand’s name is currently available on Gap’s website and, better still, discounted by 50 percent across the board.

Light gray pullover hoodie with kangaroo pocket worn with black shorts.
Gap is selling Hill City products for the first time in half a decade.
Gap

When Gap launched Hill City in the fall of 2018, Gear Patrol called it “Athleta for Men,” but the brand was more thought-out than a simple gender swap of the wildly popular women’s athleisure label.

As Hill City’s general manager, Noah Palmer, explained at the time, it was designed to be a one-stop shop for men who lived an active lifestyle. Training apparel and casual everyday attire under one roof with a focus on versatility, functionality and mobility.

Blue short-sleeve crew neck t-shirt worn with navy shorts on a person against a plain background.
The new Hill City collection is limited to just 18 items, including a hoodie, shorts, socks and a tee.
Gap

However, it was Hill City’s price-to-quality ratio that won fans over. When news of the new collection’s steeply discounted prices reached Reddit, the thread filled with recollections of great prices and endorsements of garments that still hold up after six years of steady use.

One off or soft opening?

To clarify, Hill City is not officially revived at this point. Gap has not announced any plans to do so, and judging from this collection, it looks like a decision has not been made yet.

Only 18 items are currently available on Gap’s website under the Hill City label, and it is categorized as a collaboration. The lineup is simple, consisting of a hoodie, a tee, shorts, socks and a tote bag, and lacks the color variety found in the original incarnation.

Sorry, no chinos, shell jackets or lightweight puffers at this time.

Man wearing a plain black hoodie with a front pocket and drawstrings over a white shirt.
The 18-piece Hill City collection lacks any vibrant colors.
Gap

Hill City pioneered an active lifestyle apparel niche that is now crowded with brands like Alo, Vuori, and Huckberry’s Proof, but if Reddit is any indicator (and it is the most reliable indicator on the internet), there is a strong fanbase that would welcome Hill City’s return with open arms and wallets.

If this limited collection is Gap testing the waters for a full relaunch, as I suspect it is, it’s time to dive in.

Availability and pricing

Gap’s extremely limited Hill City collection is currently available on Gap’s website. Every item is currently marked 50 percent off, and the math on some prices is even better than that.

Regardless of the much-missed sub-label, $34 for a 70/30 cotton-polyester hoodie and $7 for a pair of socks from Gap is an excellent bargain.

In the meantime, stay tuned for any news on the fate of Hill City.

Light gray pullover hoodie with black drawstrings and front kangaroo pocket.Gap

Gap Hill City Heavyweight French Terry Hoodie

Navy blue athletic shorts with elastic waistband and side pockets on a light background.Gap

Gap Hill City Quick-Dry Training Shorts

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