Black Diamond 2022/23 Men’s Snow Outerwear Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Mens Snow Outerwear 2022/23 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Black Diamond
Interviewee: Kristina Ehrschwendtner, Apparel & Footwear Merchandiser, Europe

Please provide an overview of how 2021/22 is shaping up for your brand. Has COVID-19 affected your line? If so, please explain the changes you have made, and how you came to these decisions.
Despite all the challenges we all have been facing in the last 2 years, we see unbroken high demand for our products. We continue to see growth in a lot of categories – especially in Apparel. I would not say that the pandemic has affected our line in Apparel. Our direction and strategic plan have not changed. The pandemic has reinforced our focus as a brand and we continue to support our core activities which are backcountry skiing, hiking, climbing and running. Our goal is to build the most trustworthy, innovative equipment (which also includes apparel) so our users can experience their best days in the mountains. During these times I believe this outdoor experience is more important than ever.

But as for most brands and industries COVID-19 has affected planning, processes and logistics. We invested in digital infrastructure, we have to put a big focus on forecasting and we committed to higher inventory to be able to guarantee fulfillment and deliver in time. In Apparel we for the next seasons want to do more with what we have. Consistency and carry over is a big deal here. We have great products and we also want to have the chance and time to talk about them the way we want to.

What is the overall theme behind your FW 22/23 outerwear range? From which big trends do you take your inspiration?
For FW 22/23 we are looking at fast and light movement, added protection and durability. These are our key topics for the next season.

Product durability is key to consumers when taking a buying decision and an important sustainability criteria. This was also shown in the latest Outdoor Consumer Report 2021 (Deloitte & OutDoor by ISPO). I believe this is an attribute we at Black Diamond consider in all our products and for F22 put a heavy focus on. You can especially see this in our new Recon Pro Jacket and Pant. It’s a 3-layer jacket, with a BD.dry waterproof, breathable four-way stretch fabric with reinforced elbows, forearms and hips in the jacket and a reinforced seat and knees in the pant, for some added protection and durability in high-wear areas from packs, tree branches or other mountain obstacles.

What new fits / silhouettes are coming out in FW 22/23? What pant and jacket styles are most important in your range?
A place where we see a lot of opportunity for newness is in extending the reach of our snow family, especially the Recon Stretch family. The Recon program has been really successful for us in F21 and we see opportunity in expanding this product line and speaking to a broader consumer group. For FW22/23 we add two new styles: On the one side of the spectrum the Recon LT, for the skier who is looking for fast and light movement on the mountain, for high output activities, for someone who wants that minimum built outfit and a lot of freedom of movement.

On the other side of the spectrum, we have the Recon Pro. This is meant to be the burly pro kit, for the person doing big mountain skiing/snowboarding, for step and deep days on the mountain, for someone who really needs a fully featured ski set with areas of added abrasion resistance and durability where needed. For both styles we definitely wanted to keep the clean and bold look of the existing Recon styles. You will see a lot of this design language continued into the Recon LT and Pro.

What new colours / prints are you introducing?
In the women’s collection we are adding four new colour options: Tundra, ice pink, aloe and blackberry. What was important for us is the option to play around with those colours and nicely merchandise the products within the snow and outerwear collection.

For Men’s we move on with some successful colours from past seasons, like amber or tundra but combine them in different ways or add some nice little details. We also continue to work with different shades of blue, kingfisher or indigo. A new highlight colour we add for F22/23 in our men’s snow and outdoor collection is lime green.

I think those colours embody our core Black Diamond design language but also add some nice and fresh highlights.

Any *NEW* technical stories with regards to fabrics and materials?
Black Diamond is always looking for new ways to reduce its environmental impact in terms of sustainability. For this reason, our collaboration with GTT’s EMPEL Technology (a revolutionary water-repellent treatment which eliminates the use of water pollution from fabric finishing) continues.

What are your top marketing stories for FW 22/23? This will help us to put some focus in the right place.
One of the top stories for the FW 22/23 is the “Dawn Patrol” campaign, to support our Backcountry products, with a focus on awareness. The goal is to solidify our positioning in the backcountry and “ski mountaineering” community and also to attract new consumers who are interested in the backcountry skiing experience. Today, “Dawn Patroling” has become ubiquitous throughout the world. From Japan to New Zealand, to British Columbia, skiers rise before dawn to tour for early morning powder turns. We begin in the present, documenting the growing movement. And then we look into the past, and Black Diamond’s deep connection to Dawn Patrol.

Outerwear Best Sellers/Hero products:

M Recon Pro Shell & Bib (new for F22)
M & W Recon LT Shell (new for F22)
M & W Coefficient LT Hybrid Hoody (new for F22)

Recon Stretch Pro Shell: A bomber 3-layer shell built to blend both the movement of four-way stretch with the ultimate protection of BD.dry™ while touring or ducking the rope, the Recon Stretch Pro Shell seals out moisture on storm days but keeps you dry on the skintrack without sacrificing durability. Reinforced forearms, elbows and hips add protection in high-wear areas from packs, tree branches and other on-mountain obstacles. The snow helmet compatible hood and internal removable powder skirt also adds armor against the elements while charging deep in the backcountry.

FEATURES

– BD.dry™ waterproof breathable four-way stretch shell fabric with DWR

– Reinforced lower sleeve, elbow, seat/hip, and shoulders

– Snow helmet compatible adjustable hood

– Adjustable drawcord hem

– Internal removable powder skirt with snap tab attachment to pant

– Pit zips and adjustable Velcro cuffs

– Left sleeve pass pocket

– In-pocket goggle wipe

– Internal mesh drop pockets

– Cross-load front Aquaguard chest pockets

RECON STRETCH PRO SHELL

Recon Stretch Pro Bibs:A burly 3-layer bib built for deep days in the backcountry from the Chugach to Chamonix, the Recon Stretch Pro Bib combines a breathable stretch racerback upper bib with a reinforced seat and knees for added protection in the backcountry. The BD.dry™ shell fabric seals out moisture for overthe shoulder off-piste conditions and storm day sidecountry missions, while the four-way stretch adds mobility and breathability while earning your turns. A center-front zipper entry provides easy on and off, and the separating front bib strap has a ladder-lock adjustment for dialing in the fit.

FEATURES

– BD.dry™ waterproof breathable four-way stretch shell fabric with DWR

– Stretch racerback upper bib

– Reinforced articulated knees and seat

– Gusseted inseam

– Adjustable separating bib strap with ladder-lock adjustment

– Center-front zippered entry

– Two cross-load front chest pockets with interior mesh media pocket at wearer’s left side

– Zippered Aquaguard thigh pockets—right thigh interior electronics pocket

– Reinforced scuff patch/hem edge

– Built in gaiter and side zip boot access

– Wearer’s-right beltloop D-ring for clipping sled key

– Loop at back yoke for attachment to powder skirt

Recon stretch pro bib

M & W Recon Stretch LT Shell:A lightweight, durable workhorse shell, the Recon Stretch LT Shell features 3 layers of dependable protection for those in search of pow on either side of the rope. Slightly slimmed down from the Recon Stretch shell, the Recon LT Shell combines our BD.dry™ waterproof/breathable solution with a lightweight ripstop fabric for a best-in-class combo of durability, protection, and minimal weight. Minimal in features, we kept the Recon LT lean and mean, with two pack compatible hand pockets roomy enough for essentials like gloves, beanie, and a headlamp. A snow helmet compatible hood finishes the style with added protection when heading into the storm.

FEATURES

– BD.dry™ waterproof breathable four-way stretch shell fabric with DWR

– Snow helmet compatible adjustable hood

– Adjustable drawcord hem

– Aquaguard zippered pack compatible hand pockets

– Left sleeve Aquaguard zippered pass pocket

– Ventilated draft flap at mouth with snap tab to secure jacket when worn open for thermal regulation

– Pit zips and adjustable Velcro cuffs

– Interior center back snap tab for attachment/interface to pant

M Recon Light Shell

M & W Coefficient LT Hybrid Hoody:The perfect layer for high output activities, from alpine approaches, backcountry tours or mountain runs that require added protection, the Coefficient LT Hybrid Hoody is a stretchier, lighter version of our popular Coefficient fleece with added insulation. The Primaloft insulated, breathable, woven front panel provides warmth against the elements while the Polartec® Power Grid® fleece with a gridded interior increases wicking performance and adds breathability. A zippered chest pocket stores your phone or other essentials, while maintaining a minimal profile that is slim cut for ease of layering.

FEATURES

– Primary Fabric is Bluesign® approved

– Lightly insulated woven front panel

– DWR reverse coil center-front zipper

– Thumb-loops for over-hand protection

– Under-helmet hood

– Gusseted underarm for mobility

– Zippered chest pocket