Although tech gear has never faded from the U.S. apparel landscape (see the perspicacious SWPL) only recently has interest turned from having the latest and greatest to appreciating the back catalogue of labels like Sierra Designs and Holubar, an old North Face competitor. That ratty sprayway jacket would have fit in well. As all these things seem to go, the resurgence of interest hit Japan first, and Japan is now the exclusive release location for new products from Sierra Designs, Kelty, and others that are essentially reissues of their old gear. The argument seems to be that, hey, it worked great before we knew any better, and the design was solid. The packs, parkas, and vests look technical without being stuffy, overdesigned, or self-conscious. A few pics of parka picks below--I would own some of this stuff if I had the confidence to buy from Japan (sizing is an issue for me as a US 42R). The originals pop up on American ebay and in thrift stores regularly, although the ebay market has positively exploded with the interest from Japan and coverage from blogs like acontinuouslean. New, U.S.-made outdoor gear is experiencing a hip retail rebirth, with Crescent Down Works parkas carried in South Willard and Steven Alan carrying a flannel lined down vest.
Engineered Garments has had carried a parka cut in different fabrics for years--this one is a spring version in cotton.
Sierra Designs' classic 60/40 mountain parka (Japan only)
A Class 5 reversible pullover anorak... I bought one of these in blue off ebay earlier this year and then sold it. Regrets. It has a kangaroo pocket that you can loop a pack strap through.
A Fjallraven Greenland jacket in the classic outdoor nerd blue.
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