LATHER + RUKSTR: Smart Upgrades for Everyday Wellness
Wellness doesn’t need to come from sweeping changes; it’s often smaller shifts that matter most. A mindful pause, a nourishing ritual, or the right product can transform the way you feel in your body and in your skin.
This month, we’ve partnered with RUKSTR, a woman-founded, women-focused brand of weighted walking gear to show how simple, everyday upgrades can do more than support well-being - they help you feel stronger, more empowered, and confident from the inside out.
Weighted Walking: What is Rucking?
If you already love walking, rucking is one of the easiest ways to turn that everyday habit into something more powerful. All it takes is adding a weighted vest or backpack, and your casual stroll becomes a full body workout. Truly – rucking works your legs, glutes, core, and back. And studies show you can burn up to 50% more calories than walking alone.
For women, rucking can be especially beneficial. The extra weight helps maintain bone density - something that becomes more important with every passing decade. And because it’s low-impact, it’s not as intense on your joints like running or tennis.
Rucking can be a simple way to integrate strength training without the gym, making everyday fitness for busy moms or postpartum fitness walking easier and more effective.
One more thing: rucking doesn’t just benefit the body. Anyone who’s ever walked off a stressful day knows the mood-lifting power of movement. Add rucking into the mix, and you get the same boost to mental well-being, with the bonus of getting stronger with every step.
RUKSTR: Rucking for Women
When entrepreneur and longtime runner Teri Levy first tried rucking, she noticed a problem. Most of the gear was masculine and designed with military training in mind; think, bulky packs and stiff vests that didn’t fit a woman’s frame. Gear shifted awkwardly, rubbed at the shoulders, and simply weren’t made for a woman’s body.
That’s why she created RUKSTR: weighted vests and backpacks engineered with women’s bodies front and center. With streamlined lines and an ergonomic fit, the result is gear that feels like it was made for you.
For example, the RUKSTR Element Weighted Vest (12lb & 18lb) is thoughtfully designed with women’s proportions in mind, distributing weight evenly across the torso to reduce strain on shoulders and chest. Perfect for outdoor walking workouts, it turns an everyday stroll into a low-impact, full-body experience.
For even more versatility, the RUKSTR Plus Weighted Backpack transitions seamlessly from daily life to fitness activities. Adjustable straps and smart weight distribution make everyday movement comfortable and practical.
Bottom line: from a neighborhood loop to a weekend hike, RUKSTR makes it easier to slip strength training into your day, without sacrificing comfort or confidence.
LATHER: From Skincare to Self-Care
Movement is only one part of feeling well. How we care for our skin can shift how we show up in the world, too.
That truth was personal for LATHER founder Emilie Hoyt. After Emilie learned that synthetic fragrances triggered her painful migraines, she created LATHER with plant-based ingredients and without synthetic fragrances. The mission: to make clean, effective wellness products more accessible, so you can feel confident in your skin, naturally.
Today, customers turn to LATHER for more than just their favorite lotion or scrub; but to indulge in aromatherapy, refresh the senses, and savor moments of self-care. Embodying the idea that wellness is more than skin deep.
Your Outdoor Wellness Essentials
Just like the right vest makes all the difference on your walk, the right self-care products can help you feel comfortable in your skin every step of the way. Here are our favorite LATHER essentials that support you while rucking or through your favorite active adventures:
- Fully Covered Sunscreen Duo: Protect your skin before you head out. With broad-spectrum SPF 50 mineral coverage from zinc oxide, our sheer tinted facial sunscreen and lightweight, fragrance-free body lotion disappear into skin. No chalky cast, no greasy finish. Our SPF is reef-safe, water-resistant, and ready for miles under the sun.
- Cucumber & Ginseng Facial Mist: A quick spritz on the move can feel like a reset button. Infused with cucumber, ginseng, and algae extracts, this mist cools and refreshes without alcohol, making it the perfect mid-walk pick-me-up.
- Cooling Leg Lotion: After the miles, revive calves and comfort tired legs. Peppermint oil and botanical extracts deliver hydration and an energizing cooling finish that leaves skin refreshed.
- Muscle Ease Gel: For hardworking shoulders and legs, this herbal blend provides immediate comfort with a cooling–warming sensation from menthol, camphor, and capsaicin. A little goes a long way toward soothing post-walk aches.
Wellness in Motion: Pasadena Weighted Walk
On November 8, from 10 AM to 11 AM, RUKSTR and LATHER are uniting for a community walk through Old Town Pasadena – and you’re invited. We’ll enjoy a guided community walk with RUKSTR, followed by refreshments and wellness activations at LATHER’s flagship store. Best of all, we’re donating 25% of all proceeds to the Pasadena Community Foundation’s Eaton Fire Relief & Recovery Fund, directly supporting families and communities affected by California wildfires.
✨ What to expect:
- A guided community walk with RUKSTR
- Light bites + refreshments at LATHER Pasadena
- Wellness activations and product experiences
- An opportunity to give back while practicing self-care
This event is FREE to attend, though space is limited. RSVP today to join us in supporting our community while moving together for a cause. (Link Needed)
Small Changes, Big Impact
Research shows that habits stick when they’re simple and easy to weave into daily life. That’s why both rucking and clean skincare can make for sustainable wellness changes: you’re not reinventing your routine, just elevating it.
Whether you join us for the Pasadena community walk on November 8th or integrate one of these practices at home, these small changes can make a big difference in how you feel, move, and show up for yourself every day.
