Backountry Snowboarding Gear for Women!
I made a post already, but I don't think it went through. So... ladies1 I need your help. I'm developing a niche market for my fourth year clothing line (Kwantlen University, Fashion and Technology Degree). I am focusing on women in their 30's/40's who backcountry snowboard. If you have any suggestions or know anyone that does would love to hear your input! Thanks :)
100% agreed. Not in the backcountry yet but just from renegade runs and three ft deep hikes where I am: water proof, breathability, visability AND range of motion. Can't move, can't hike.
Just curious, why the age bracket...? Do you perceive ladies either side of your age range as a completely different market, and why? You don't have to answer if you don't want, I'm just a nosy nosy person! :)
For backcountry (and freeride) I agree with the previous comment about waterproofing and definitely with them on pockets - the more the better!! I tend to carry a lot in my pockets so I can carry a smaller pack (probably because I'm small so it's not comfortable to carry anything more than 25L and even then, I don't like it to be stuffed full as it sits awkwardly on my back). Also, I always think there's a possibility that I may lose my pack (if it can be lost, trust me, I could lose it, and probably down an endless crevasse) and wouldn't want to be without essential things which I would be less likely to lose if I have it on my person somewhere! (for example, my inhaler, my epipen, phone etc etc - I always carry a lot of crap around truth be told). So yeah, I have a pocket obsession, give me pockets!!
Also, jackets and pants which can be zipped together - not just clipped together... Burton AK range (and probably many others but I only know about this one) zip together which means you stay nice and dry, no sneaky pow getting in there making you wet and stealing heat!
That's all I can think of for now.....
Awesome1 Thanks girls, the reason why I picked the age is that I have to have a very defined market. I also found that a lot of snowboarding shops cater to people in their 20's and younger which is why I feel there is more of a need for this. Could you guys answer a couple more questions for me?
1) what is your age?
2) who do you normally ride with (guys or girls)
3) What do you find frustrating about your gear right now?
4) How long have you been riding for?
5) Where do you backcountry? If so where?
Thanks for your help!
1) 29
2) mostly my boyfriend and other male friends
3) i find it frustrating, that one of the jackets i own (which is the better jacket in fact... i think it's a 20k/20k) is too short. it's a burton wms jacket and i find that these "girly" cuts are not really practical. it's hard to fit a back protector underneath it, for example... the other jacket fits me better but has a lack of pockets. i feel like i just can't find everything i want in a jacket that i can still afford (which means, 250 euro max).
4) 16 years
5) austrian alps
No probs :)
1. 32
2. Both guys and girls
3. Not much frustrating with my gear ever since I got some Special Blend pants which have drawstrings in the legs so I can shorten them as much as I want!! Just the thing I mentioned I guess, my jacket and pants only clip together so I often get snow underneath, brrrr.
4. 7 years
5. Mont blanc massif
Good luck with your project!
you girls rock! Thanks for the great info :)-Jren
keep us updated about your work! :)
Hey girls! So I'm onto the designing stages now!! Was wondering if you would be able to answer a few more questions for me :) Also if you have any friends who backcountry board- could you pass this onto them too? The more feedback the better the product !
1) Most women have commented that the snowboard styles in stores right now are too young. How are they too young for you? (colours, prints, contrasting fabrics?)?
2) What outwear styles work for you in terms of fabric qualities, seam placements, tonal colours, fashion forward colours, style lines?
3) What main functional features do you look for in snowboarding clothing?
4) What completely turns you off of snowboarding clothing and why?
5) How do you prefer your clothing to fit? (Snowboarding jackets, pants and base layers)
6) What do you look for most in snowboarding base layers? How can the products available now cater more towards backcountry?
Thanks! :)
Hello again!
Gladly...
1) Most women have commented that the snowboard styles in stores right now are too young. How are they too young for you? (colours, prints, contrasting fabrics?)?
This doesn't reflect my opinion, I like the styles that are out right now and don't consider them too 'young'.
2) What outwear styles work for you in terms of fabric qualities, seam placements, tonal colours, fashion forward colours, style lines?
I don't really have much to comment on in terms of this I'm afraid, I've never really thought about it too much, I just go for whatever catches my eye and that will usually be whatever is bright so my pals can spot me easily! Also, being quite petite, I'll usually just settle for whatever fits (which isn't usually a lot).
3) What main functional features do you look for in snowboarding clothing?
Mentioned before, but decent waterproofing and pockets!
4) What completely turns you off of snowboarding clothing and why?
I really like snowboarding clothing, the companies putting women's ranges out there nowadays seem to be totally on it in terms of well designed, functional stuff. I can't think of anything that turns me off.
5) How do you prefer your clothing to fit? (Snowboarding jackets, pants and base layers)
Oh this is easy: Outer garments - baggy, base layers - 'close' !
6) What do you look for most in snowboarding base layers? How can the products available now cater more towards backcountry?
Just that they're well fitting but not too tight, and I like base layers that are actually good to look at, as although they're underneath the majority of the time, they do peek out from time to time, and I tend do sit around in my base layers pre and post ride so no harm in it looking as good as it can do! Also, seams that don't irritate are very important, and preferably no labels which can be itchy and annoying.
Hope that helps :)
Great thanks! Also curious about how often you go out and purchase new gear for snowboarding? (Outer layers and base layers) - Thanks again- I'll post some design sketches and keep you girls updated!-Jena
Hello again!
As I don't really get that much use out of my gear i.e. 2 or 3 weeks of hols and a handful of sessions at the indoor snowdome (with the exception of the season I did this year that is), I tend to go at least two seasons without having to replace my outers. Base layers - even less frequent, as no one sees them, I wear them until they perish haha (mmm nice)!
1) what is your age?
39
2) who do you normally ride with (guys or girls)
Mostly guys in the backcountry
3) What do you find frustrating about your gear right now?
I need a new jacket cuz mine is old and gets wet, but proper backcountry shells are expensive. I don't like girls jackets. The tapered corset look isn't good for layering and personally think it looks hideous. So I stick to men's jackets. I also like my Special Blend pants that have the drawstring to pull up the pant legs. Mine also have zippers on the inside and outside seems of the leg. It gets really hot when hiking so I like having lots of zippers to let in air. Pit zips are also a must for me. I don't like too many pockets in my jacket because it gets too bulky. I do like using my chest pack to keep small things like a snapshot camera and some water within easy reach. I use this:
http://www.tabitabihakuba.com/en/Blog/Entry/hobo-greatworks-chestpack.html
OF course everything must be waterproof but it must be light and easy to move in too. In the spring time I have hiked in my gortex rain suit because it's lighter than my snowgear. Jacket must have a hood and the hood must fit over my helmet. Drawstring on back of hood works well to either cover me while hiking in strong winds or to open up more for good peripheral vision while riding.
I always use a shell, and layer my gear. I also like the idea of jackets and pants zipping together. I have used a one piece in the past which is defintely the warmest way to go but no good for hiking since I usually end up wanting to take off my jacket. One pieces are also no good when nature calls. When I do have to pee all is good when there are trees around but above the tree line its difficult to get a little privacy. Have seen pants that zip open around the bumb. Could be good?
I now mostly wear bib pants. Haglofs Gortex Shell. Keeps the pow out but again not so easy to pee in especially when I am in the back-country. Been thinking about ordering a p-mate:
4) How long have you been riding for?
8 years
5) Where do you backcountry? If so where?
I mostly ride and go backcountry in Hakuba and Otari, Japan.
1) Most women have commented that the snowboard styles in stores right now are too young. How are they too young for you? (colours, prints, contrasting fabrics?)?
I don't like women's gear at all. Espcially the jackets with the tapered waist.
2) What outwear styles work for you in terms of fabric qualities, seam placements, tonal colours, fashion forward colours, style lines?
I like gortex because it is light yet waterproof. I do realize it is an environmental disaster and that's why some companies like Patagonia won't use them. I do prefer green products and will pay a little more if it helps to save the earth, and it's people.
3) What main functional features do you look for in snowboarding clothing?
On Jackets: hood that fits over my helmet, pit zips, powder skirts, and those neat little built in sleeve thingies that let you fingers and thumb through but not the snow. Do you know what I mean?
Pants: zips on inside and outside of legs, bib, comfort, easy to move/hike in.
4) What completely turns you off of snowboarding clothing and why?
tapered waists. tight and too girly for me
5) How do you prefer your clothing to fit? (Snowboarding jackets, pants and base layers)
snug base layer, kinda baggy but not too baggy outer layer. Must be good for hiking a few hours or I wont buy it.
6) What do you look for most in snowboarding base layers? How can the products available now cater more towards backcountry?
base layer must be warm, and quick dry. I sweat a lot when hiking. Wearing colors make me feel good even if no-one else sees it. I only wear black to funerals. Don't even like black socks!
crotch zip or opening for some kind in the base layer pants (along with some outer layer opening for grrlz) would make it easier (more discreet) to pee.
Looking forward to seeing some of your designs!
Hey, thanks for filling out the surveys in such detail! They were extremely helpful. I'm just in the process of doing some initial design sketches, I will post some visuals for you girls to check out!
Hey, thanks for filling out the surveys in such detail! They were extremely helpful. I'm just in the process of doing some initial design sketches, I will post some visuals for you girls to check out!
Hey girls, I have a couple more questions to ask you:
Do you normally stick to one snowboarding brand to purchase product or do oyu branch out to other brands (please explain why/why not)
Brands like columbia and arcteryx have top quality back country gear in terms of function. Do you ever purchase from them? If so why?
What type of brand would pull you away from brands that you already purchase for gear? Would you stick to the new brand if they serviced you in all technical aspects and styling?
Snowboarding and proper back-country gear is expensive so I don't get to buy my first pick. I look for what's on sale and go from there. I rarely got to showboard shops, but there are a few good back country stores I go to and I buy stuff used (or nearly new). Big brands like Patagonia, North Face, Haglofs, and arcteryx have great products and I do prefer them over snowboarding gear. They tend to be lighter, allow better movement, and breathability.
I like Patagonia for their environmental stance. They use environmentall friendly products (no goretex) recycle, give back 1% for the environment, recognize corporate responsibilty...
I have Haglofs bib pants. High bib keeps the powder out. Lots of zips to keep my cool while hiking.
I also have a North Face shell jacket. It was great, but it's time for a new one. I love my North Face jacket because the sides open up where I can reach into my pockets, or reach into my jacket and to my bib pants pockets. Great feature! Also has a powder skirt (which is a must - I wouldn't consider buying a jacket without one)
Colombia makes good gear and is cheaper than the rest.
I own a pair of MSR snowshoes, they were expensive but I wouldn't have considered buying another brand.
I might consider sticking to a brand if they serviced me in all respects inluding price. Not too worried about styling. We don't run into that many people in the backcountry, and the people we do meet are also not very fashion concious. We look for gear that lasts, is comfortable, warm , and stays dry.
I ordered myself some P-mate, hopefully that will take care of one problem in the back-country. I have yet to try them but they get great reviews.
if i remember it correctly, we had a thread about functional clothing on here not too long ago, you might want to check that thread out aswell!
well, i'm not in my thirties yet (i'm 29.. cough cough), but for me, two of the most important features of outerwear are waterproofness and breathability. since freeriding/touring/backcountry snowboarding involves walking a lot, i wouldn't want to buy stuff that is less than 30k/30k / gore-tex.
handy pockets are a good thing, aswell as including recco reflectors.
other than that, i hate it if jackets are too short.
hope this helped :)