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Outdoor Retailer-Apparel, Footwear, Gear Color Trends/Fall/Winter 2014/15



New England (NEOS) overshoes-waterproof---big hit giveaway- at Demo Day.  Lightweight, durable, ez on/off. Tough nylon upper
Outdoor Retailer/SLC-Part 8
tread on/high traction---non insulated and insulated versions-with removable EVA insoles
Carhartt-work to weekend wear -performance fabrics and linings quilted flannel lining-orange standard human here visibility shade. Men's and women's.





































The winter edition of OR---always takes place after the even bigger SHOT Show® in Las Vegas…so it wasn't the reason we noticed more camo---as in modern hunting patterns of Realtree/MossyOak/Mothwing (etc) this year.
Core4Elements-men's jackets, hoodys, pants have performance wear features in options for all sorts of weather conditions…lightweight warmth and heavier insulation, moisture wicking, waterproof/resistant, as well as design details like stretch +anti-microbial materials, pit zips/mesh lining for venting, seamed seals, YKK® durable zippers, well placed pockets.


Perhaps the warm winter of 2012/13 reminded retailers/outfitters that other activities go on when there's no snow…including hunting which tends to occur outdoors. 

Spending half our time in a very urban environment where the noticeable 'hunting' tends to be by law enforcement nabbing fare beaters-we view these get close to the animals' time tested patterns-as more fashion statements. In fact, we're surprised we don't see these eye catching prints in more streetwear  clothing-as in linings for urban jackets (---ideal pieces should be reversible- like the Rocky Pro jacket/vest-given the price tags!!!!)---or as details-for shoes or accessories (insoles, patterned outsoles, trims).



Kamik delivers a new men's ELEMENT COLLECTION:

... a series of three/four seasons, waterproof and recyclable- 4 way stretch, neoprene uppers+synthetic Rubber shell, 4 season Rubber outsole camo boots---





Details like adjustable weather collar Cold Creek boot, Kamik FitLock technology for comfort/stability, Aegis treated, anti-bacterial-removable EVA insoles- from a brand who really made name for itself with brightly colored/patterned rain boots.




Made in the USA too.






Woolrich footwear-soft slip-ons…from an amazing debut















































WOLVERINE----has many style of hunting kicks-waterproof leather uppers-with 1000 denier nylon or 60 denier polyester, cushioned EVA midsoles+ footbeds with NXT® odor control, rubber outsoles…insulated and non-insulated


Real Tree-waterproof leather +900 Denier Polyester uppers
women's too-in back Sightline Thinsulate Insulation PC Dry Silver Waterproof membrane+waterproof leather and front non-insulated mid cut version 

Men's Scout II-3M™Thinsulate™ insulation, full grain leather, 
Full grain leather-900 Denier poly upper…Ridge Hunting-w/ dial comfort ICS+ disc in heel
love these---Snakeproof SERPENT SLAYER women can wear these anywhere…suede, piled waterproof oiled nubuck leather, tough rubber outsole/toe cap, nylon shank, removable polyurethane midsole $196…! Fab.

Olive-military-army green….the basic tone of a lot of  camo…like grey-is almost a neutral basic in fashion---and the outdoors market.
3 ply carbonate back protects as does-Eagle Creek's guaranteed no matter what


Tarmac AWD-22, new color for this workhorse. Dynamic Spin wheels, Bi-tech™ fabric in army green, skid plate, bumper protection black

NAU---one of our fav labels-we can wear just about anywhere-Allle Down pullover ---in Seaweed green. Funnel neck, shirttail hem, asymmetrical seams, ¾ length roll cuff sleeves-as fashion savvy as Norma Kamali's classic sleeping bag coats.

Under Armour-varsity style
PACSAFE…TourSafe wheeled luggage in Jungle Green

Adidas--greyish green- -orange trim-stretch and insulated vest…stylish-the iconic stripes on the side panels---multi-tasker is very on trend
32º Heat Weatherproof-fun camo print- lightweight down Packable jacket
Chaos-children's hats---cute---always playful colors




















An acid-electric neon color palette-ruled the 80's and in more recent times in certain geographic locales like Japan. By our casual observation-black continues to 'rule' winter apparel-on the slopes and off- and not just in NYC.

But-bold brighter tones-acceptable in spring clothing-continue to dominate certain kinds of outdoor apparel in 2014---for visibility reasons in a lot of instances… PLUS childrenswear and gadgets---and wonderfully-in socks-where in reality-just about any color scheme/patterns are available. And sell.

Neons-lime green-yellow...
SmartWool


Balega-Hidden Comfort-Zesty Lemon





Granite Gear-school ready backpacks




SKINS-compression socks
Sugoi-RSE NEOSHELL® Jacket-Polartec® NeoShell®+fully taped seams-reflective pops and a color that is meant to not blend...


NAU-quilted Fractal Hoody jacket- in Zest... a gold-ish yellow-expect more of this tone next season











as pop of color-on left Baffin
Sanuk-they're not shoes! Meadow-canvas with lace overlay
Fuscia/magenta pink---continues its popularity from Spring 2014…in footwear/apparel for gals. We don't remember ever seeing this color for outdoor items for guys ---in fashion items like ties, very limited.
Balega-no slip-Hidden Contour-raspberry in sizes Small or Medium, cushioning underneath, heel tabs REALLY prevent heel slippage (yeah), elastane for structured fit, hand linked toe closure, mesh panels for ventilation, one fav running socks!

Zensah-compression socks


Fox River-ski /snowboardsocks---with moisture wicking/ warmth- and so  form fitting-we run in ones we have. These are part of the Peak Series new for 2014+Made in the USA





Poppy Gall Design Studio and Darn Tough---continue to conjure up the most fabulous patterns for ski/lifestyle/hike/run socks…ever.
Country flags are always big sellers-esp every four years-Olympics and World Cup athletic competitions ignite bouts of patriotism
stripes, swirls, stars and statements
Fun and seemingness endless vaiety-Darn Tough---can have up to 12 colors in one pair. Got to be a record
Gender neutral blue is always in style---there was a noticeable lack of navy and lots of ocean/sky blues---often paired with a neon trim…in soft/hard shells.

Patagonia-traceable down-Nano-Air jacket


Dynafit (with lime green lining)-Cho Oyo Down Jacket-from company famous for its skis/backcountry gear. Apparel was top notch-using European Down
Adidas--with so many fashion collaborations-no surprise Adidas showed a slew of color options for its Outdoors line including this Terrex Swift Climaheat Down Jacket


Sherpa Adventure Gear-Nangpala hooded down jacket
Berghaus---the Hydrodown line of jackets are all saturated colors-including this Ramche Down jacket-W-in a very pretty Royal Blue …great quilting too.





Bergans of Norway= outerwear maestros offer a colorful range of  hard+soft shells.

Atlas S 17 Sport-snowshoes match up with an outfit 



Cobb Hill--in peacock/teal bue will be more prevalent next season-imo...

TAOS Tombat boot w/ brown leather---denim rules …besides cotton tees, the most worn fabric in the world- darker washes are streetwear savvy. Don't see too much in outdoor world but expect more as blends with durable fabrics from Cordura, Schoeller etc. Esp. in bike commuter pants and on the slopes…notably by Burton.

Fifty shades of purple-not as in favor this season-but we did see this shade pop up here and there.
ATLAS-Echo 20

Salomon-Pants/ Jacket-Little Violette, Cascade Green 3 L 
Black Diamond Snap End Shell---women

Bergans---this is a pretty burgundy wine purple color-great pairing with yellow trim

Kakadu Traders---burgundy purple---Burgundy wine tone for guys

NAU-the Allle Down pullover -same as above but in -Iris -deep pink/purple like the Pantone color of the year Radiant Orchid. 






Gore running----with reflective trim

NO DELICATE ROSES HERE---saturated traffic stopping reds and oranges---or more autumnal warm tones with brown undertones. In a lot of apparel we saw-orange is the new pink! 



TAOS-Stellar in Burnt Orange suede
Fjällräven Luhkkan Cape----


COBB HILL

Dynafit-the BEAST GTX men's waterproof hardshell


Taos-Priviledge boot-in the front-Spice Red
these are great-Berghaus Yeti® Extrem™Pro gaiter---probably would have been a highly coveted item in many USA locales this winter 

w/ hidden single pull adjustment, abrasion resistant print on inside of foot, fully taped seams +Yeti® Pro rubber rand  replaceable

AVEX Drinkware hydration bottles….spill proof valve-Autospout®  technology for easy one hand drinking. Self sealing, with a protective spout shield keeps out dirt+ from the spout (and liquids)…color options get fun with the kids  Freestyle-lower shelf. High impact tough and BPA free.
32º Heat Weatherproof down comes in a broad range of colors-travel friendly vests/jackets













Liberty Bottleworks-Made in the USA, aluminum recycle able-the KARMA bottles benefit a lot of worthy non profits,  also pictured-Topo= maps of parks, mass transit series etc---loads of-playful graphics which get our award for best in show via 3D digital printing...
Mad for plaid-is standard for menswear---for a century now----but now in performance blends that double as athletic wear…

We liked how for the women's market this season ---the staple pattern got feminine twists with bright color combos...
Woolen Pendleton Mills peacoat-classic silhouette-in lively paterrn

 Brilliant-bold in your face punk pink plaid-at Adidas…reversible too...
Edo Reversible Spotty Jacket


Another Adidas-insulated Hiker jacket-hangs like a button down- with Primaloft insulation-for guys…plaid on the outside makes this a cool look anywhere!
Filson's Seattle, Lightfoot and Fishing No 3  shirts are available in wool or cotton- part of this heritage brand's many offerings---year round wearable…cut for casters










Bergans-technical mix-performance polyester plaid l/s shirts-Bjorli-men's+woman's
Carhartt-made with breathable -moisture-wicking with 37.5 (Cocona)---we see this  work/lifetyle label on subway riders all the time---burly construction dudes as well as L trains citizens (that is the subway line to overly hip/hyped Willaimsburg/Bushwick, BKLYN, fyi)
Horney Toad-warmth to weight ratio=easy care, great hand feel-l/s
our obsession-the Fjällräven Luhkkan No. 3 Cape goes reversible with Shetland Wool one side and G-1000 Eco fabrication on reverse!

NAU-Fadre Plaid Jacket blazer wool blend w/ DWR treatment, 2 tone plaid pattern, clean silhouette-ride your bike in this-go to an office. Smart!


One of the best ways to see what might be trending for the next year-is to watch what the buzz worthy RTW labels serve up on the runway. Because it all filters down, at some point.

From the Master Karl Lagerfeld-his latest A/W 2014 for luxury label Chanel got massive buzz…outdoor brands might look at the colors for clues-but especially the footwear----not a high heel in sight---lace-up high top selections  really nailed the fashion/function. Metallics, blush pink and white…notable---for women.




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