Sidecountry: the new sports apparel category
Exhibitors at the Snow Industries America 2011 show (27-30 Jan, 2011, Colorado) showed an influx of new outerwear especially designed for off-resort skiing and snow-sports.
Dubbed ‘sidecountry’, the style marries the durability and weather protection from backcountry apparel with the insulation, looser fit, and details such as phone and MP3 pockets that come with resort-oriented outerwear.
“Sidecountry users can't afford for their gear to fail, but they like the features that they get from jackets they wear inbounds,” said Melanie Sirirot, apparel product manager for Seattle-based outdoor gear company, Outdoor Research. “It’s important to have quick venting if you’re hiking because you don’t want to take your jacket off. Also important is a high collar to protect your face, a hood that fits over your helmet and pack compatibility.”
