HYKLYF｜A Garage Brand Carrying a Story That Enriches Life
It is common in the U.S. for hikers to design gear based on their own trail experiences and start selling it. Gear created not through mass production, but through solving real problems faced in the field, carries a special kind of meaning.
My encounter with HYKLYF was exactly such a case — a brand born from the hands of an individual hiker. One day, while browsing the handmade marketplace Etsy, I came across HYKLYF’s products.
Born from Trends in U.S. Hiking Culture
Hiking culture in the U.S. is diverse and unique, shaped by vast natural landscapes and cultural differences across regions. Among the common trends are reusing lightweight bottles such as Smart Water or LIFE WTR as water containers.Another is cold soaking — preparing dehydrated food with unheated water, eliminating the need for a stove and fuel. Many hikers use empty Talenti ice cream jars for this practice.
LIFE WTR and Talenti ice cream are considered “affordable luxury” items in the U.S., so their containers are stylishly designed — and lightweight.
HYKLYF recognized these trends early and developed unique products. By attaching a lightweight measuring label to an ordinary bottle, its usability was greatly improved. What surprises people most is how incredibly light the products are. Something that seems ordinary at first glance can, with just a small idea, become extremely practical. That mix of functionality and playfulness is what first drew me strongly to HYKLYF.
LIFE WTR (Water) and Talenti ice cream are considered “affordable luxury” items in the U.S. Their containers are therefore stylishly designed, and also lightweight.
Live to Be Yourself, Not Live to Work
Every story has a beginning. Matt Oyen, the founder of HYKLYF, started making gear to solve the problems he personally faced while hiking.
He believed that the challenges he experienced were likely shared by others. When he shared his prototypes, they quickly drew attention — and this was the beginning of HYKLYF as a brand.The name HYKLYF is short for Hike Life, and it reflects Matt’s personal philosophy:
“Work to Live, not Live to Work.”
In American culture, work is often placed above all else. But for Matt, hiking — the activity that enriches life — is what truly matters. The idea of “working in order to live as yourself” is something many people can relate to. I think it was precisely because these products were born out of this kind of countercultural mindset that they resonated with me so deeply.
The origin of HYKLYF lies on the trail: only gear that proves to be truly useful far from civilization is brought to life.
Simple Items You Want to Use Again and Again
The first product that symbolizes HYKLYF is the Pika Bowl, originally created for Matt’s beloved dog, Pika, who joins him on nearly every hike.
“I was looking for a dog bowl that could fold up, be extremely light yet durable — and at the same time, something my dog would be comfortable using. Although there were dog bowls on the market designed for hiking, I couldn’t find one that met all my personal requirements. So I decided to make my own.”
Although the Pika Bowl was initially made for his dog, Matt later realized that it was also extremely convenient for people. It can be used to scoop water from shallow streams or as a simple cup. Today, more people purchase it for human use than for pets.
When developing new products, Matt focuses on the balance between weight, durability, and design. Even if something is ultralight, it is meaningless if it breaks after only a few uses. What matters is creating simplicity and practicality — items so useful that you want to use them every day. That balance is the very philosophy of HYKLYF.
Personally, I was first drawn to HYKLYF through this Pika Bowl. Weighing only 8 grams and about 1 mm thick, it has a surprising versatility: it can be used as a measuring cup, as a drinking vessel, or in other ways. Its design, featuring the silhouette of the Sierra mountains, left a strong impression. In the early days, the printing was handmade in a stencil-like style, and that warmth of craftsmanship also captured my heart.
The Pika Bowl went through several prototypes and multiple seasons of field testing before finally reaching its ideal form.
Hiking Heals the Heart, Brings Order to Thoughts, and Helps Reflect on Life
What matters most to Matt is hiking on new trails and seeing scenery he has never encountered before. He begins walking at sunrise and goes as far as possible before sunset. If he finds a loop trail, he enjoys it even more.
Most of the time he hikes alone, but always with Pika by his side. For Matt, hiking is not just an outdoor activity — it is a spiritual experience.
Encountering beautiful views, stopping when something catches his eye, and taking photos — all of these moments are important. The sense of connection felt in nature heals his heart, helps organize his thoughts, and brings reflection on life. Hiking, he says, has also supported him through some very dark times.
Matt enjoying a hike with his beloved dog Pika, who became the inspiration for starting the brand.
Example of Matt’s Usual Hiking Gear
Backpack / Water filter + purification tablets (as backup) / Compact first aid kit / Cushion for sitting / Bathroom kit / Satellite communication device (ZOLEO) / Smartphone / Headlamp / Sunscreen & insect repellent / Warm clothing (for unexpected overnight) / Rainwear / Pika Bowl / Bottle + Bottle Genius
Pika Bowl
My favorite thing about the Pika Bowl is that it’s so light and small I don’t even notice it — but it’s so useful there’s no reason to leave it at home. Once, I forgot it and was really irritated with myself because I needed it to scoop water from a shallow pool. Without it, it was a struggle and I was very thirsty.
💡Tip: Unfold the Pika Bowl several times at home so it keeps its shape when you need it on trail.
The Pika Bowl is so light and thin that you might slip it into your pocket or backpack and forget it’s even there. This is our shop’s exclusive color, featuring the TARCIT logo printed on the front.
Bottle Genius
I developed the Bottle Genius because I got tired of carrying an extra item just to measure water for my meals. I asked myself: how can I use my existing water bottle as a measuring device? That’s how Bottle Genius was born. My favorite thing about it is that it attaches to something I already carry, adding no weight or bulk to my kit.
💡Tip: The more precisely you apply it to the bottle, the more accurate your measurements will be.
To set it up, simply fill an empty bottle with 118 ml (4 oz) of water, align the label with the water level, and stick it on. Even if you make a mistake and peel it off, the adhesive strength hardly decreases, so you can safely reapply it.
E-Z KEY
I was trying to get breakfast out of my Bear Vault one morning. It was colder than usual, so the plastic lid wasn’t very flexible, and my fingers were also cold. This combination made it very difficult to open my Bear Vault. Being hungry didn’t help matters. I decided that I needed to fix this problem — and that is how the E-Z KEY began.
💡Tip: Learn from my mistake. Don’t lock your E-Z KEY inside your Bear Vault. It doesn’t help you in there.
The E-Z KEY was also developed into a product after repeated testing in real trail environments. In Japan, the use of bear canisters is quite low, but personally, I really like the graphic design of this item.
👉 HYKLYF on Etsy
👉 HYKLYF on TARCIT
