The Slack Country kit has been in the works for a while now. Not this exact design, but the concept has been bubbling for about 6 years, waiting for the right time.
The initial idea was essentially to continue our journey into more technical products in line with our brand values of adventure and mastery. A few things happened over the journey that have made us pump the breaks, such as covid, and I’m glad they did. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have gotten the Slack County kit. We would have made something from a slightly different place of inspiration, and I’m really stoked with what we have created here and where it has come from.
The inspiration behind this is pretty simple: I thought about what I wanted for Japan (and for Aus), saw what most of our riders were riding and the crew, and noticed it was the bit in between. What do I mean by that? Well, sometimes it’s the backcountry, sometimes it’s resort poaching the trees and side hits, mobbin the park when it’s on, but a lot of the time it’s the Slack Country. A 5 min hike to access that other bowl or secret spot. Still lift access after the goat track out. Yeah, we want something technical that has all the bells and whistles for when we do go backcountry, but we’re not out there on the trail every day, so I’m not counting grams so I can summit Everest. I want the tech that I need in a fit that I’m stoked on that I can wear everywhere and feel myself. After talking to the team and crew, it was pretty clear it wasn't just me.
The jacket is all about functionality and style. A lot of time and thought went into the pockets on this one. It’s a resort jacket, so we needed hip pockets, but when we have our Avi Pack on our bag waist strap prevents access to those. So, we needed extra pockets. We have the media pocket wearers left chest, but we also have another, which you might not notice at first, that is accessible with a pack on near the left arm pit. I thought it was essential to have an extra quick-access snack/accessory pocket while you’re on a mission. What about that big one on the right? Well, you can chuck whatever you like in there, but the idea for that one is multi-use but quite specific. It’s purposely designed for touring. On the way up, it is designed to fit the Slack Country puffer in when you’re heating up. On the way down, when you put your puffer back on and transition, this fits your skins so you can lap quickly, and if you’re a snowboarder like me, not hold your skier mates up so much!
This one is all about taking the fit we all love into the back and slack country. Incorporating the 3L tech, but blending it with the style we want rather than an ergonomic designed form-fitted pant that makes you feel like you should be ski racing rather than having a hell time with the crew. The 3L fabric keeps the construction streamlined, light weight and for this piece we’ve focused on air flow. When you’re hot out there, you can strip your upper layers all day long and free the nip or get the guns out if the weather permits, but not so much with the bottom half, so we’ve done the next best thing. They’re not exactly stripper pants, but you can unzip the majority of the leg to dump hot air as fast as possible from your quads and glutes that will be working overtime on that ascent. There are vents on the inner leg too for cross venting, and also when you’re lapping the resort and don’t need to show everyone you’re a scroggin muncher.
If you know me well, or actually just crossed paths with me more than a couple of times in the last 5-6 years, you most likely would have seen me wearing a version of this puffer. I have lived in it since the first sample. So much so that the first one is falling apart and Colin and others have had to sit me down and tell me I am not allowed to wear it anymore as it’s ‘not a good look for the brand’, for me, I’m like, what are you talking about, it’s a great look, we’re it till the end… Apparently, not! In any case, this was nearly called the Everywhere puffer as you can literally wear it everywhere, but its designed purpose is to go under the Slack Country jacket. A perfect layer that is not too hot to suit Japan or the cooler days in Aus. This one has also had a little bit of thought put into it. It packs into itself so it can be stowed into the skin/puffer pocket on the Slack Country jacket or used as a pillow when camping or to piff at your mate when they just won't give it a rest! It’s also made from recycled fabric, Primaloft P.U.R.E. recycled fill, so it’s some pretty good rubbish.
One of the main reasons I am happy this gear never came to fruition until now is that if it had, it wouldn’t have been this style. It probably would have looked more like everything else. We probably wouldn’t have had the confidence to say, fuck it, we’ll just make what we want, and if people like it, sweet, and if they don’t, also sweet. The logo story on this is sick. Colin has crushed it, and the story of how the ‘Yuki’ came to be is a tale of its own, I hope Colin shares with you all. I love the use of colour, reflective hits and the trim details such as the zips. While there might be someone driving the inspiration behind a certain piece or collection, design at Yuki really is a collaborative process, and I love looking at a capsule like this and seeing everyone's input. This full kit of the jacket, pants and puffer is a great example of this, and I’m super proud of everyone who has been involved from day dot till now.
