Arc'teryx: The Techwear Revolution
Since the 1990s, Arc'teryx clothing has been at the forefront of the techwear industry for men and women. With a commitment to high-quality materials, innovative design, and cutting-edge technology, the brand has become synonymous with adventure and exploration. More recently, Arc'teryx have been making movements in Streetwear.
The Evolution of Arc'teryx: From High Peaks to High Street
The History of Arc'teryx
David Lane, Grailed
In 1989, Dave Lane founded Rock Solid, later known as Arc'teryx, in Vancouver, Canada. Initially, the brand focused on designing and manufacturing high-performance techwear for climbers and mountaineers.
In 1991, Lane brought on Jeremy Guard and later, in 1998, they launched Arc'teryx. The brand name came from 'Archaeopteryx', a bird that is believed to be one of the earliest creatures to take flight. Lane & Guard saw that wearing an Arc’teryx jacket would be just as revolutionary and allow people to transcend their limits and take flight in the mountains.
The Emergence of Arc'teryx in Streetwear
Left: Gigi Hadid at Virgil Abloh's Off-White Show, 2020, Grailed Centre: Arc'teryx & Palace collab, Grailed. Right: Rapper Aminé in Arc'teryx, IG: @amine
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While Arc'teryx has always been a popular brand in the outdoor gear industry, it wasn't until recently that it made its way into the streetwear culture. Arc'teryx's functionality along with its sleek and minimalist design has made it an easy addition to Streetwear aesthetic.
So, what is it with streetwear loving techwear brands? We’ve seen it with the adoption of Patagonia fleeces and The North Face jackets into streetwear looks. This collaboration between outdoors brands and streetwear has been named ‘gorpcore’, referring to the trail mix eaten by hikers. Arc'teryx and the other outdoor brands off comfort and ease of wear alongside high performance that wins it for the Streetwear enthusiasts.
Arc’tyrex’s status as a Streetwear brand has been solidified in its collaborations. Arc'teryx has teamed up with Palace, which helped to root the brand in the streetwear market. They produced Palace & Arc’teryx waterproof jackets and beanies featuring the two iconic arc’teryx logo and Palace logo. The collab resulted in some unique and sought-after pieces, which have become highly collectible pieces.
Arc'teryx crossed into high fashion for a split second too. Virgil Abloh, Off-White's founder & streetwear King, was a big proponent of Arc'teryx in contemporary streetwear style. For his 2020 Paris runway show, Abloh put supermodels Bella and Gigi Hadid in spliced up Arc'teryx.
Arc'teryx Clothing: Innovation and Design
Left: Arc'teryx LEAF Right: Drake & Virgil Abloh, IG: @virgilabloh
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Throughout its history, Arc'teryx has been at the forefront of innovation and design. The brand was one of the first to incorporate GORE-TEX technology into its products, which allowed for superior waterproofing and breathability, making the products fully outdoor proof.
Alongside Arc’teryx gore-tex jacket, the brand designed an entire collection that is military grade. The Arc’teryx LEAF (Law Enforcement & Armed Forces) collection was designed for the harshest conditions, directly for those in the military & law enforcement. Arc’teryx jackets in the collection imitate vintage military clothing whilst using modern military specifications. Arcteryx LEAF collection also made movements in streetwear circles through the influence of Drake and Virgil Abloh (see above).
Is Arc'teryx Sustainable?
One of the reasons that Arc'teryx has been so successful is its commitment to its ethos. The brand believes in creating products that are designed to last, with a focus on quality, performance, and sustainability. But is this enough?
According to Good On You’s rating, Arc’teryx isn’t doing enough. They have made little to no commitment to using eco-friendly materials, reducing textile waste, water usage or CO2 emissions.
A sustainable solution to buying Arc’teryx clothing? Yep, you guessed it… secondhand and vintage!
Arc'teryx - here to last
Arc'teryx has come a long way since its inception in 1989. From its origins as a high-performance mountaineering brand to its present-day success as a fashion-forward staple, the brand has stayed true to its commitment to innovation, design, and quality.
Techwear & streetwear have built a healthy relationship which doesn't seem to be ending any time soon. At ROKIT, we're keeping Arc’teryx in circulation by offering secondhand Arc’teryx jackets mens trousers, tops and more! Explore our growing collection and find a one-off piece, as well as saving it from landfill. It's a Win Win for any sustainably minded techwear & streetwear