Skip to main content

Print Trends:ETHNIC, CAMO, FUN-Outdoor Retailer S/S 2015

 OR/SLC

The outdoor community is a world community  -as adventurists and tourists. Naturally, apparel/gear makers embrace other cultures (or their own) for design cues…

PART 12

ETHNIC PRINTS:

Sherpa Adventure Gear's hand woven scarfs wonderfully fuse warmth, hand crafted quality and beautiful designs-unique to its Nepal locale. $35













FROM Dakine...



Mako print-has the shark fins ---in a ikat pattern the retro style backpack-massive storage with many zippered outer pockets... inner compartment-double as travel pack


Cannery Row 10L 600 D polyester PU suede insulated cooler pack, mesh interior pocket, 2 hip pockets $45


Demo Day was so fun thanks to the great techy made- SUPs by Starboard-This Atlas Extra board-is a stable cruiser with the brand's pioneering use of moulded wood technology (since 1994) -light+strong in the mix of this incredibly technically advanced floater. Tiki symbol -from New Caledonia "... stemming from the ancient fun loving god king of water and waves, the legendary Inca sun god Tiki Vichara, who in Thor Heyerdahl's (the Norwegian who 'drifted' from Peru-Tahiti in 1947)  Kon Tiki memoirs is said to have traveled from Peru to Polynesia…"
Camouflage-whether inspired or literally- the military kind or the licensed hunting prints---are always used a lot in the outdoor apparel/gear world…and becoming more popular in the urban marketplace too.
took this picture on the subway…nifty baseball jersey style l/s with hunting camo as key design accent. Plus- the wearer was reading an actual book BRAVO 2x
For a better view-custom MAVEN binoculars-takes about 3 weeks… Base prices $500-$1000 then-maybe plus depending-including color choices for things like focus wheels, ocular rings…and custom engraving options. Pictured King's Camo Body Armor. We chatted with the 2 entrepreneurial founders-who highlighted the use of Japanese components-top of the line parts…that are heritage pieces for years and years of use.
Little Luxury Water Cooler with replaceable Vitality Filter (NSF grade carbon with Silver Micro technology which neutralizes bacteria on contact and selected grades of innovative resin ion which converts various contaminants and heavy metals so that they can be absorbed by the carbon)... cools down water to 6Cº with a cooling tank that  maintains the temp super long. 1.83 gallon BPA free water holder. Battery and A/C D/C power can be plugged into solar panel system with no inverter needed. LED temperature gauge on side.


hang out and then pack it up in a integrated stuff sack-ENO hammocks---highly tough, woven nylon made from fabric remnants (eco - parachutes), triple interlocking stitching-holds a lot of weight-the double size can accommodate 400lbs! Marine grade line with metal snaps. Widely available








PRIMUS CAMPING-trekking, expedition and base camps cooking fuel options that are lightweight+efficient…with accessories-like canister footrest $9.95 









Master-Piece-Surpass No. 12164-a Japanese based company-Invista®'s Cordura® Fabric and a whole lotta style-company celebrating 20 years in the biz-with foldaway main storage function, side access panel (good for grabbing that laptop), adjustable belt plus leather+felt straps---around $270.


STM has urban outdoor haulers in mind ---including a retro style Drifter laptop backpacks-plenty zip pockets, grab handle,  top main load compartment, detachable rain cover -zips away


















ADIDAS dove into its watersports footwear this season-in a splashy big way…including these Climacool® Boat Lace graphic , lightweight, snug fitting outdoor kicks -
Climacool® Boat Lace -dark grey/chalk white/lucky orange camo...quick dry mesh uppers  360º Climacool®ventilation- non-marking outsole with Traxion® grip + drainage 
BONUS: environmentally developed pattern&5-10% recycled non visible content $70. IMO wear these as streetwear too-incredibly light fit works as footwear for weight room too.

SANUK shoes for men-fuse vulcanized construction (REAL SHOES) with the brand's sandal soul's legendary comfort-and very neat looking printed camo textile upper. Mid cut styling, removable dual density premium EVA footbed w/ AEGIS antimicrobial additive, molded arch support, Happy U Rubber outsole...
CUSHE KICKS Collection for guys----in that terrific mesh printed upper-feels paired (FYI)-with suede overlays…textile lining, removable EVA with Memory Foam footbed with that cushy CUSHE Mellow Comfort…lightweight moulded EVA with honeycomb design…$75
Military Camo-Cushe Kicks Collection
Blue/Olive Camo Cushe Kicks-men's
Sugoi…run-fitness apparel -venting mesh rocks an abstract camo, top is looser fit---nice option we don't see a lot of in the running market-that looks pulled together, not sloppy.






































Camo and another design trend-Western-from  ARIAT.
Amazing-Groundbreaker Ariat men's workboots in MC2 True Timber®- mesh lining, extra comfort insole with higher rebound, heavy duty oil and slip resistant Duratread™ outsole, 90 degree heel, round toe in 2 options: safety steel toe is ASTM F2413-11 M/I/75 C/75 EH rated $139.95, Soft toe is ASTM F2892-11 EH rated $129.95-
TWISTED BEADED BRAIDED WESTERN-Crafty Details...
Quickdraw premium full grain leather performance boot by Ariat -leather lining, Duratread™ outsole in distressed white upper (left)  and Mini Bonz (right) -eight row stitched pattern $179.95

ARIAT offers truly a head-spinning selection of Western footwear for w/boysomen/men/kids-in addition to work tough kicks-including fashion, performance-for competitive cowgirls- and fashion performance styles come in combos of nine heel styles, 13 toe styles (we counted form the catalogue)---plus tech attributes including the advanced Cobalt™ Quantum Technology offering full-foot support and flexibility-built into all the incredible styles.
GUY ALERT: WILDCATTER PULL-ON-engineered performance and protection-Ariat makes flame tough denim-for those working in risky environments. The Extreme Heat platform with Vibram® is flame retardant, patented U - Turn™shape easy on/off, Dri-Lex® moisture wicking mesh lining, heat resistant Kevlar® para aramide thread for superior durability, PLUS  flame resistant, waterproof, oil resistant full grain leather foot, stabile lightweight shank, lug outsole grippy on oil slick surfaces


Heritage Western X To Wingtip-six row stitch pattern, full grain leather upper, Triad design,  decorative wingtip overlays, Duratread® outsole Broken Slate -left, Golden Tan right $199.95



Sevilla $299.95 boast Goodyear® welt construction, contrasting overlays with ornate chopouts, exaggerated toe spring, 1.75" distressed heel, hand nailed scoured+distressed leather outsole-nude upper and weathered brown foot


































Andalusia-Spanish influence on Old West tradition…handcrafted intricate details, premium quality leathers that are feminine and fabulous.
Sevilla $299.95



 Ariat-cowboy heel perfect height for cowgirls-full grain leather uppers-with great four row stitch pattern overlay, tarnished finishes, Duratread™ outsoles-Goodyear® leather welt construction

ACORN's sandals are so comfortable with FirmCore™ support with each step. New for Spring!
 PRETTY beaded details…atop all day wear sandals-with Acorn Pillow Pod™ at the heel-and footbeds wrapped in breathable soft microsuede- in the Samoset thong $55 (above), ankle $60, and multi-strap slide$55. Non-slip rubber outsoles, toe to heel cushioning, vegan leather uppers, fun and flirty beaded designs!
Samoset Ankle $60


Samoset Slide $55
FUN FUN FUN
Another subway shot-dark rinse jeans worn by a really tall guy def. under 25 years old…deliberate short hem revealing graphic socks….with lifestyle sneakers.

JUST IN TIME for men's fashion trend -and the new erogenous zone-the ankle (aka "MANKLE") …we are finally seeing younger guys (okay a very few even in NYC ...see above)…wear jeans or casual trousers with cuffs up or purposefully cut like the shrunken  school boy silhouettes epitomized by Thom Browne  for a few seasons now.




Heady Stripe Micro Crew Light Cushion men's Hike/Trek
Because colorful men's socks which DARN TOUGH has been showing for a few seasons too---now may get a chance to be seen in all their glory…the new light cushion men's Hike/Trek with True Seamless™ construction…join lifestyle choices that gives us a Lollipop kids flashback from the Wizard of Oz classic flick.
Darn Tough-men's Via Ferrata Boot Sock-full cushion 
Darn Tough socks redefine what colorful design is….
NASCAR flavored socks-these are so fun…rev your engines in socks in charcoal, rad red and black.

Water bottles at OR always seem to get more colorful- right along with the nifty functional aspects …that help eliminate the plastic bottle waste that clog up our planet.


Quite the heartbreaking moment-in August-when we were informed by Sanrio® (via an interview with an LA curator of a Museum exhibit) that Hello Kitty is in fact not a kitty (!!!!!!)…well sorry, to us and the rest of the outraged world -'she' will always be a feline…and we love these SIGG water bottles.
BPA and Phthalate FREE ingredients...








SIGG has many other  water bottle designs... for those not in the mood for some catnip fun…and all easily detach so that it is possible to clean all the nooks and crannies...




easy non leak sipping


Thermo Classic-with tea filter…made form top quality stainless steel that is odor and taste neutral- keep tea warm for 8 hours. 4 sizes total -the larger two come with adjoining cups
SIGG re-usable aluminum-lightwieght, durable, recyclable, leak proof-gradient color schemes...


Kind of seems like kids get all the fun-from AVEX…butterflies and Glow In the Dark designs-with that patent pending Autospout® one-handed, leak-proof, one touch top.


Glow in the Dark-from AVEX