Last weekend, we threw open the invite: come and join us on the South Downs for a morning of trails, fresh air, and a proper field test of Danner's Mountain 600 Leaf GTX boots. Plenty of you took us up on it, and what followed was exactly the kind of Saturday we live for here at Urban Industry.
We set off from Cadence Cycle Club in Litlington alongside John from Danner — who'd brought down a full size run of the Mountain 600 Leaf GTX for hikers to put through their paces and the brilliant Keara from Zest Wild Pursuit, who co-led the hike with us.
If you don't already know Zest Wild Pursuit, they're a local outdoor community built around getting people outside, onto the trails, and connected with others who love the South Downs as much as we do. Linking up with them felt like a no-brainer, their knowledge of the routes, the pace, and the little details that make a group hike actually enjoyable is exactly the kind of thing you can't fake. It's the sort of partnership that makes events like this one work, and it's a reminder of how much good stuff is going on right on our doorstep.
The route took us out across the South Downs National Park, looping around the Long Man of Wilmington with sweeping ridgeline views before heading back down to Cadence for coffee and a catch-up. Clear skies, good company, and around five miles of proper off-road terrain underfoo, there really isn't a better way to find out whether a boot lives up to its reputation. And the Mountain 600? It didn't disappoint. Comfortable, dependable, and ready to go straight out of the box. It's easy to see why this one has become such a favourite in the store.
Days like this are a big part of why we do what we do. It's not just about kit, it's about the people who use it, the places we get to explore, and the local crews who bring it all together. Big thanks to John at Danner for the boots (and the coffees), and to Keara at Zest for helping make it happen. If you missed this one, keep an eye out, we definitely want to get out there again with Zest Wild Pursuit.
Keara from Zest Wild Pursuit, Dan from Urban Industry & John Broe from Danner Boots.
After the Hike we collared Keara for a quick Q&A on how and why she set up Zest Wild Pursuit,
1.What sparked Zest Wild Pursuit, and was there a specific moment, a walk, a feeling, a frustration with how people engage with the outdoors, that made you think "this needs to exist in Sussex"?
When I moved back to Eastbourne during lockdown, I felt completely alone in my love for the outdoors. Nobody around me seemed to share that pull towards wild spaces… or so I thought. It wasn't until a friend invited me to his new sea dipping group, We Swam Thru, that I started meeting people who got genuinely ecstatic about being outside in the same way I did. That changed everything. I realised, it wasn't that those people didn't exist in Eastbourne, it was that there was nowhere for them to find each other, no central, beating heart for that community. And that's exactly what sparked ZEST, the belief that people deserve a place to experience that magical feeling of community and the outdoors!
2. You could have built a community-led adventure project anywhere, but ZEST is rooted here. What is it about the South Downs, the coast, and pockets like Alfriston and the Cuckmere Valley that you think makes Sussex particularly special for the kind of slow, connective adventure you're championing?
It's a PLAYGROUND!
The irony is I grew up here counting down the days until I turned 18 and could escape to go travelling. I actually remember standing on the other side of the world in New Zealand, telling people how incredible Sussex was, and thinking ‘ohhh maybe I was wrong…’. The thing is nothing about Sussex changed, but everything about my perspective did.
Now when I look at it, I genuinely can't believe what's on our doorstep. You can hike a new route every single day and still be discovering epic paths months later. In a single day you could swim at sunrise, mountain bike through Friston Forest at breakfast, run the Seven Sisters at lunch, and paddle board down the Cuckmere before dinner, all while standing on the South Downs with sea to be seen on both sides of you. I mean... what?! That's not boring, that's extraordinary. And that exactly why its been the most incredible playground for the ZEST community.
3. ZEST has clearly grown into something bigger than guided trips, there's a WhatsApp community, yoga in nature, workshops, the Snowdonia thru-hike. How did the community side evolve, and what have you noticed about the kind of people it draws in? Is there something specific the modern outdoor crowd is hungry for that traditional walking or hiking groups don't quite offer?
Watching the community flourish has been one of the most beautiful things I've ever been part of. People turn up alone, a little unsure, and then you watch those connections bloom into real friendships, people booking outdoor holidays together, adventuring long after the hike ends. One woman told me she'd deleted all the dating apps the week before joining a hike. That hike introduced her to her now-boyfriend.
That's the thing, when people are doing what they truly love, moving through wild places, breathing fresh air, away from screens and performance... that's exactly where real connection happens. No small talk, no pretence, I think that's what people are craving and what traditional walking groups sometimes miss: it's not just about the miles, it's about meaning. Community, belonging, and the quiet, funny and sometimes chaotic magic of being outside together.
4. Looking back on the community hike we ran together, taking the route through Litlington, Alfriston and up to the Long Man at Wilmington, what stood out for you on the day? And from your side, what do you think makes collaborations between local indie shops and grassroots projects like ZEST work, versus the usual brand-led activations?
The atmosphere. From the moment we set off through Litlington and up towards the Long Man, it felt less like a brand activation and more like a group of friends who simply love the same patch of land, coming together to explore it. That's what made it feel different, the sense that Urban Industry genuinely cares about this place where its rooted and this community, not just the content opportunity. It felt relaxed, warm, and real. That's what makes local indie partnerships like this work, shared values over strategy. When both sides are rooted in the same place and the same love for it, you don't have to manufacture anything. It just feels good.
5. You've got Snowdonia thru-hiking, yoga in nature, and the May adventures all running. For someone reading this who's curious but maybe a bit nervous about turning up solo, what's the easiest way in, and what's on the horizon for ZEST through the rest of the year?
Honestly? Some of the most connected people in our community turned up completely solo and never looked back. I can promise you that within the first twenty minutes of a hike, you'll be mid-conversation with someone you genuinely click with. The outdoors has a way of stripping away the awkward stuff fast. The easiest way in…join our WhatsApp community, pick a meet-up that excites you, lace up those boots, and just show up, that's simply it!
As for what's ahead, there is sooo much to look forward to! We're moving through the seasons intentionally, making the most of everything each one has to offer. Our multi-day Snowdonia thru-hike is coming in August, and there's an international adventure quietly taking shape for later in the year. Watch this space…I reckon you're going to want in on that one.
You can find out what Zest Wild Pursuit is cooking up next by checking our Keara's Instagram profile here.
Checkout out full range of Danner boots here if you fancy going on your own hike.
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