Fall/Winter 2010
EDITORIAL PREVIEWS NEW YORK CITY
showroom images/words Judith Ecochard
It’s interesting for us to see the transformation of technically ‘on’ outdoor brands that earn respect from demanding adventurers (REI-as a destination and label for gear/activewear) and Burton – for snowboard and weather tough, sport specific apparel/boards)…
Airflyte Running $169 with eVent™
Also serve up separates of everyday casual wear---to cloth individuals off the mountain trails as well as on them…and in flattering cuts---with the garments inculcated with the functionality of performance wear at its best.
REI has its own private labels and seems to be revving their engines in terms of fabric selections-cutting edge, tweaked with stylish details.
In the running/biking end of activewear, the waterproof/breathable membrane that "let's the sweat out"™ eVent --- plus active 4 way stretch blesses, and techy textiles like Polartec are in the versatile outwear garments. The former commands bucks but this is really a high performing material that can be worn all the time IMHO.
REI Landro-$119 w/ Polartec & Wind Pro
Stowable bike jackets (Novara ) are windproof up to 60 mph --- made with lightweight, breathable polyurethane-coated ripstop polyester--- available in different bright color waves. ($54.50)
Novara Stowable Bike Jacket $54.50
Novara Men's Bike jacket made with eVent™ $189
We love the eco play of this Marco ecoSensitive 100% recycled poly bike shirt…that’s urban friendly enough under a blazer for the office or club lights $39.50. Details---like a front and back zipped pockets, and shoulder ones for iPods…though keep cyclists as happy as confirmed walkers.
Women's Forte Bike Jersey $39.50
Novara bike skorts $60---with gel chamois, shock absorbing protection that conforms to the body…are UPF 50+ and made with ecoSensitive® (recycled) material.
There are tricked out jackets for the back country---embedded with Recco –the international rescue system/reflectors---and made from eVent™—that fyi---is so breathable, no pit zips, a standard feature on a lot of jackets, are not necessary.
Kulshan eVent Jacket $299
A synthetic down in the Davos jacket $179 ---like “the sleeping bag fabric”---is highly compressible, with the ‘down in the core warm areas, and sleeves etc made form abrasion resistance poly blends=ripstop durability.
Other looks for the urban lifestyle with performance attributes are the soft shells-as in the Paridiso Jacket $119, and organic Redfield plaid shirt $49.50 .
Tencel is an eco friendly, cool to the touch fabric that’s in the Yoga apparel Urban Hoody Henley SHirt ($42.50)---mixed with cotton and spandex for shape retention.
There is also a Safari line---with UPF 40+ protection …and neat touches like back/side mesh for vent body heat.
Other base layers that we always feel why get more---here’s why, this lineup is made with the exalted super soft PowerDry by Polartec®---a “Holy Cow” treatment with tiny channels that let moisture breath out from the fabrics inner layer to the surface. COMFORT to the max. $32.50-$36.50
WHAT ELSE: Half Dome 2 Tent retailing for a value price $199 that super light weight and comes with a cover.
The sleeping bags include a bunch that are women specific in shape with wider hips and slightly warmer than the equivalent men’s product. REI Lumen +25 $139
PLUS: An expandable kid’s Nodder sleeping system in orange…$69.50
Mars and Venus Backpacks ($199) made tough with Codura® nylon and a serious XT Series ($299( that can work as a hybrid pack with a removable ex and internal frame.
Non-hikers will appreciate the cute kid’s Wheelie Packers ($99.50) with wheels (yup) that can be outfiited with attachable pouches/daypacks…
And we thought the “eco sensitive” shoulder and messenger bags ($49.50-$84.50-Natalie and Madison, respectively) --- easy on the eyes..and practical.
BURTON commands respect from everyone…pure business types praising smart coporate growth/management, street savvy casual weekend warrior hipsters for designs that keep them dry and going all day, and are on trend.
Wool/Poly, Lined Midnight Pea Jacket $115
---And technically demanding pro boarders for the latest innovations in gear and their top of the line techy apparel (see review),
And clearly the insane amount of NYC bound tourists who pack the Soho store .
We thought some of the everyday wear, comfy, wearable etc.
(All cotton cardigan $45)
(All cotton cardigan $45)
Flag Jacket-Sherpa Lining, Zipped pockets $75
All cotton Brighton Flannel plaid $49
LOVE the collaboration with British Fashion Designer (and smart biz dude too) Paul Smith…a collaboration that went to the hard goods side with the 2011 Burton Vapor ($1199.95) snowboard…a NASA worthy engineering feat of lightness and responsiveness par excellence.
LOVE the collaboration with British Fashion Designer (and smart biz dude too) Paul Smith…a collaboration that went to the hard goods side with the 2011 Burton Vapor ($1199.95) snowboard…a NASA worthy engineering feat of lightness and responsiveness par excellence.
WHAT ELSE:
Burton’s media preview included a tutorial on all the bells and whistles of the new boards…that frankly, went wwaaayyy over our heads, lacking a physics degree.
But we are boarders and appreciate the trend to shorter boards (like surfing) ---and the spring loaded series (Flying V) for all mountain zip, slicin' and dicin' (as one shredder pontificated)--- where we switch up going fakey and regular---and catch some air---just cause we can.
And get how different materials (ie carbon fiber down the center), board shapes …cambor and side shapes especially---change the ride. Like the Sherlock---designed with rail riding champ Charles Reid...
---that is an all mountain free ride,,,with a directional flex/core that’s thicker than other models---and clearly is FUN.
And as mentioned prior---a gaggle of pros riding Burton---like Shaun White’s “symphony of destruction”---the TWC PRO
Also cool ---the graphics…naturally.
SUGGEST: Burton.com is a user friendly website ---revamped with, and we quote the press release:
Meet the Team: The all new Team Timelines let you really experience the life of our team riders – from birth to their first podium, film part and mag cover.
Support Local Snowboarding: Check out our new and improved shop locator to find a store near you.
Board Finder: Find the board that’s right for you in two easy steps.
Look Books: See our team riders living the dream and check out the gear they’re wearing in each photo.
Product Tech: Want to know exactly what our boot backstays or bindings’ SensoryBED™ look like up close? See more product tech details than ever on the new site.
Twitter feed on the homepage: See Twitter feeds from Burton, team riders and shops right on the homepage.
The Community: Join the Community to upload your own photos, videos and interact with riders around the world.
Catalog sign-up: Get your copy while they last. And if you just can’t wait to see it, flip through the entire 2011 catalog online. You can even turn the pages, just like the paper one.
As with any technical equipment purchase that easily can add up to meaningful dollars/euros--- HOMEWORK REQUIRED.