Just because my personal philosophy of snowsports fashion is about holding onto what works best for as long as possible — much to the dismay of my family that collectively cringes at the dirty, duct-taped apparel I trot out with for the seventh, eighth, ninth season in a row — doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the latest industry trends.
In fact, like many of us in the lift line, I’m constantly browsing new looks and inquiring about how the latest in outerwear performs in various mountain conditions, continually editing a mental shopping list that might actually, eventually result in a purchase. It’s fun, but there’s also considerable research behind the trending we see in our sport.
You might have noticed that small brands like Strafe, Voormi and Stio are gaining in popularity, a fact confirmed by the latest Insights Report produced by Snowsports Industries America. Solid colors, clean lines and pockets, and lean fits are current style trends, the report proclaims.
And beyond style, apparel makers continue to explore fabric innovations that strike a viable balance between environmental sensitivity and functional perfection. Perfluorinated chemicals (PFC), for instance, have been used for decades in the outdoor industry due to their exemplary water-repellant properties. Now, apparel makers are exploring alternatives, though PFCs still reign.