Owner Operator Snowboarding Outerwear

For 18 Summers, we’ve created new versions of our classic designs and this summer is no different. This 111 variation has 60/40 outer fabric with a nano coating, an upper fleece body lining for the first time and a variety of pockets, inner control cinch and a ticket wicket loop. These ideas come usually from the year before sitting on the lift thinking what I’d like to see in a new version of whatever I’m wearing, and whatever would make snowboarding more comfortable for me. The sleeves in this garment are our standard lining material and since it’s a raglan, the sleeve material carries up over the shoulder, which optimizes movement the waste has a adjustable cord to restrict or promote airflow on windy or hot days. The hem is also shock cord adjustable. The hood has two separate shock cord adjustability features, and is a big hood to fit me. This is the XXL which we’ve in the past never made as an offering officially, but had done some as customs so we had a new graded pattern created for this actual XXL and I have to say it fits me really well. I’m looking forward to riding in a XXL this year needless to say that this actual garment is going to be for sale and if you’re interested in it, it’s the First custom up on the site this coming 26/27 Season.

Owner Op navy custom Vestiges Jacket on its way to Japan. The vestiges jacket was named after the dwindling materials manufacturing we have witnessed over the past two decades here in the good ol US of A. We’ve stockpiled lots of interesting and useful fabrics over the years and now pull from our collection to create these as one of a kind garments.

Owner Op olive green custom Vestiges Jacket on its way to Japan. The vestiges jacket was named after the dwindling materials manufacturing we have witnessed over the past two decades here in the good ol US of A. We’ve stockpiled lots of interesting and useful fabrics over the years and now pull from our collection to create these as one of a kind garments.

After an off road trip deep into a desolate part of a New England forest, where shed repairs had to be made on the fly, I realized the need for what I could only call an “Off Road Bag.” Tools had to be hauled from the truck to a remote shanty where roof repairs needed attention. Along the way, the only bag we had, a basic canvas tote, completely failed. The handles ripped off, and the bag itself was so flimsy it would not even stand open on its own while working out of it.

When I got home, I built the bag I wished we had out there. This tote is really more of a mega tool tote, designed for future missions, rough conditions, and carrying the kind of gear that usually destroys ordinary bags.

The bag features military spec polypropylene webbing, along with three exterior pockets. The center pocket has a snap closure, while the side pockets include webbing straps where carabiners or clips can be attached for extra security.

It can be used as a regular daily tote too, even though its construction is well beyond what’s needed for a trip to the library. It’s built with Cordura inside and out, with two interior pockets, one specifically zippered to keep your phone clean and dry, and another for organizing tools I’ll need on future missions.

Looking forward to the next off road adventure with this one.

You might have caught the build video I posted Friday, but I wanted to lay out some of the details that go into every 111 Parka we make, start to finish, here in the studio.
First, the heavy lift. This parka carries 9 sealable pockets, six across the body, two interior body pockets in different sizes so your carry sits where it should, and one on the left forearm for your pass, easy scan, or anything credit card sized. The chest and hand flap pockets use American-made Velcro, with a 6 snap storm flap closure. I’ve run 7 in the past, but this season 6 just hits right, better spacing, cleaner line. Every season I keep pushing small refinements, things like the double needle topstitching that’s become standard here for strength and durability.
The 111 runs double ended 15.5 inch YKK pit zips, 3 hood adjusters, and a hem adjuster for when the weather turns. New this season, we started adding Owner Operator Zip-O-Gage analog thermometers. Not necessary, but hard not to mess with on the lift.
Summer is when things slow down enough to really look at the details, the stuff that gets rushed past in season. If you’re thinking about your best kit, now is the time to get it moving. 111 Parkas, Shelter Anoraks, 93 Pants, 93 Bibs, Summit Mitts, all cut and sewn here for how you actually use them.

I’ve been making lots of interesting customs this year. Unique colors, lengths, widths, and inner detailing, including the third women’s specific jacket I’ve ever made, and an XXL which was more for myself but turned into a well desired size. Each custom takes drafting a pattern and some finger crossing, but I’ve been very satisfied with the results, as it’s really why I do these customs. It’s fun work, and I like sewing.

This year I’ve been Insta chatting with many industry contributors, trying to figure out how to survive in this industry in a time where the cost of everything in our lives is increasing. During one conversation in particular with Austin .Snowboards, he asked me if I’d ever made a snow kit for my son, and I told him I hadn’t. Since then I thought about that, and why I hadn’t. Mostly because I was afraid of him growing out of it too quickly. But as I thought more about it, my mind changed because, YOLO.

So I got out the paper and rulers, drafted up a kids size small, and whipped it out. That same day, he wore it for the rest of the day inside our Brooklyn apartment, playing with the Star Wars figures Steven had recently given him. We’re going up to Belleayre on Sunday, and I’m truly excited to see him in it.