Burton x Filson

 
FILSON X BURTON SENTRY SNOWBOARD JACKET & SQUIRE SNOWBOARD JACKET

 

Two of our favorite and most prominent outdoor brands, Burton and Filson, have just launched a small Burton x Filson capsule collection that brings their two worlds, and seemingly opposite ends of the outdoor spectrum, together. Filson, founded in 1897, is a company rich in tradition, with a long history as manufacturers of quality upscale hunting and fishing apparel. Associated with an older and more staid customer, Filson is not the first company that would come to mind to collaborate with Burton Snowboards and those crazy snowboard shreddin’ kids. Burton Snowboards has grown up, however, and its riders matured. With the company’s 40th birthday not too far off, the respect for its elders is apparent in this and other recent collaborations with long established heritage brands, such as Redwing Shoes and Manitobah Mukluks. In turn, these heritage brands understand the tradition of high quality functional sportswear Burton has been creating since 1977, and the value of partnering with a brand that has such extreme customer loyalty.

The collection features 4 pieces — 3 jackets and 1 pair of pants — for men only (sorry ladies!) and marries the signature fabrics for which Filson is famous with Burton’s experience in creating highly functional snowboard outerwear. The Sentry Jacket, shown above, uses Filson’s Tin Cloth, a weather repellent oilcloth originally created in the early 1900’s and designed for the Pacific Northwest’s exploding timber industry. The Squire Jacket utilizes a combo of Filson’s rugged Mackinaw Wool and durable wax-soaked cotton Shelter Cloth. With these fabrics, Burton has added its own signature detailing designed for the snowboarder, such as drop-tail styling, vents and powder skirts, and hidden sound and goggle pockets… marrying tech with timeless style.

While at first it seems that Burton and Filson couldn’t be more different, this collaboration actually shows how similar these two companies really are, both as sportswear and as lifestyle brands. Both have a reputation for creating sport apparel that works, designed with the kind of style that is wearable anyplace and anytime, and appeals to all sorts of customers, whether they participate in the sport for which they were designed or not.

 

Heritage Collections

 

 

ROW 1: L.L.BEAN “SIGNATURE” WAXED CANVAS MAINE HUNTING BOOT (16″ in store November); TODD SNYDER + CHAMPION POCKET SWEATSHIRTJANSPORT SKI AND HIKE BACKPACK; ROW 2: BURTON HARDWICK DUFFLEBEST MADE SHOP, TRIBECA, NY; ROW 3: EASTLAND WOMENS YARMOUTH USA CAMP MOCAD FOR NEW G.H.BASS WEEJUNSBURTON ROVER RESTRICTED SNOWBOARD BOOT COLLABORATION WITH DIEMME FOOTWEAR 

 

For the upcoming change of season, we are seeing a return to the brands of our youth and a nostalgia for the sportswear with which we grew up. Companies like L.L.Bean, founded in 1912; Woolrich, family run since 1830; and Eastland Shoes, in business since 1955, all represent American made quality and craftsmanship which have become increasingly popular in today’s marketplace. Jansport and Burton Snowboards, among others, have created “heritage” collections, returning to the original designs and even logos of their early days.

These companies have a loyal following among the generation that was raised wearing their apparel. They have found a new generation of customers, however, by partnering with contemporary designers and updating their looks, while remaining true to the essence of the brand. Designer Todd Snyder has collaborated with Champion, established in 1919, to launch a men’s sportswear line for Fall 2013 entitled “City Gym”. The collection is inspired by archival Champion pieces and vintage photos from the New York Athletic Club. G.H.Bass is soon debuting a new campaign which pays tribute to the Weejun Penny Loafer. L.L.Bean’s “Signature” collection, consists of the tried and true classics but cut slimmer for a younger urban customer. And Sperry Topsider has been revitalized by the fun and colorful reinvention of its classic boat shoe, first released in 1935.

Finally we have new companies like Topo Designs and Best Made Company, re-creating retro sporting gear and apparel, inspired by camping, fishing, hunting and other outdoor sports in their early lo-tech days. What’s old is new again, or even better, doesn’t age. These classics are iconic pieces of American sportswear, as stylish today as when they were when first worn.

 
 

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