Martha Stewart-Backed WalkFully Launches as Alternative to Weighted Vests

WalkFully is rethinking rucking with hip-loaded designs, which the brand says increases comfort and promotes a more natural gait compared to weighted vests

Amid a surge in interest for weighted vests to promote bone health and load the spine for longevity gains, a new startup is looking to push back against traditional fitness culture to align with growing interest in a more sustainable approach known as “soft wellness.”

WalkFully has officially launched its two debut products: The Ritual Belt, which features a 7-lb base weight (expandable to 10 lb), and the Wander Pack, with a 10-lb base weight expandable to 16 lb. Additional weights sold can also be purchased separately to add more load for those who want it.

The startup’s founding advisors include Martha Stewart, Dr. Milica McDowell, Dr. JT Giudice, Dr. Melissa Sundermann and Michael Easter, all of whom have equity stakes in the brand. NYC creative studio Creech has also taken an equity stake.

WalkFully’s core message is to elevate walking as an effective, accessible workout that supports long-term health and lifespan, with gains amplified by the use of its products.

According to the brand, while traditional rucking products place heavy loads on the shoulders and spine, WalkFully’s patent-pending design shifts load to the body’s center of gravity at the hips, with the aim of creating comfort and a more natural gait. 

The products are rooted in established biomechanics, with the principle that positioning load closer to the body’s center of mass reduces strain and lowers overall energy expenditure. The design also supports more natural breathing and better thermoregulation without the strain on the chest and shoulders to enable longer, more consistent daily movement.

“We’ve built a culture obsessed with intensity,” said WalkFully founder Christopher Gavigan, co-founder of The Honest Company, which makes clean-formulated personal care products. “We’re taught that if movement leaves you exhausted, it must be working. But intensity isn’t the answer; consistency is. And nothing is more human, accessible, and sustainable than walking.”

The brand has centered science at the core of its philosophy, pulling from decades of research linking regular walking to weight management and improved heart health, mood, cognition and sleep.

Alongside the launch, the brand is promoting a free 14-day reset program, and a live 12-hour continuous walk led by Gavigan. From 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST on May 12th, the founder will livestream updates each hour on Instagram, sharing the science of walking and the WalkFully philosophy, joined by special guests.

Other brands are continuing to capitalize on the popularity of weighted workout gear, with TRX and Aion recently launching a co-branded limited-edition vest to uplevel the bodyweight training brand’s workouts through a longevity-focused lens.