The world of snow sports fashion presents a vibrant mix of function and flair, where brands like 686 stand out with their innovative materials, tailored silhouettes, and versatile fits. Whether you are carving through fresh powder or hitting the slopes for an après-ski gathering, their designs prioritize both practicality and style, ensuring you not only perform your best but also look effortlessly cool. With their commitment to high-performance gear that embraces a spirited lifestyle, 686 captures the essence of adventure and camaraderie in the winter sports community.
Joining the ranks of pioneering snow gear, brands like Volcom, Burton, Quiksilver, and Billabong embody a similar ethos with their focus on quality craftsmanship and edgy aesthetics. Each of these labels connects deeply with the snowboarding culture, offering designs that resonate with both adrenaline seekers and laid-back enthusiasts alike. Ready for a stylish upgrade to your winter wardrobe? Dive into our curated list of brands that bring together style, durability, and an adventurous spirit.
Every brand in our lists earns a Similarity Score, showing how closely it aligns with the featured label. We evaluate each through four core pillars outside of certain intangible traits:
• Style (40–50%): overall aesthetic and silhouette
• Fit (20–30%): tailoring, proportion, and ease
• Color (10–20%): tone and palette choices
• Price (10–20%): accessibility and value
Think a brand feels off on our list below? We’d love your take [share feedback →]
Black Diamond is known for high-quality outdoor gear for climbing and skiing.
Burton is an American brand known for its trendy, functional snowboarding gear and apparel. You'll find a line of bags in a range of styles from daily to travel (including larger format luggage).
Arc'teryx is based on the principle of obsessive, precise design and production in the Canadian Coast Mountain wilderness. Because if their in-house manufacturing and design centres, Arc'teryx is able to constantly innovate and produce products the proper way. Timeless quality, intelligent design, and simplicity result in optimal performance at critical moments. Discover more brands like Arc'teryx here.
Salomon is a French outdoor sports brand most well known for its performance-level hiking, skiing, and running shoes. The brand has collaborated with designers for fashion footwear and more recently for streetwear, edging into luxury streetwear with their technical running shoes. Gorp core hype has made people think differently of street-style sneakers.
Keita Ikeuchi and Mihoko Mori established wander in 2011 as a result of their shared vision of creating “fashion in the nature / mountains just as enjoyable”. They've been striving to provide sophisticated outdoor garments that combine high-fashion styles that appeal to customers' senses with the functionality and practicality of outdoor clothing.
Cotopaxi is an outdoor gear and active lifestyle brand founded by Davis Smith. It is named after the Cotopaxi Volcano in Equador, near where Davis grew up. They're known for creating high-quality and sustainable gear and clothing.
Parajumpers offers high-quality outerwear with a focus on function and technology.
Helly Hansen is a Norwegian brand that specializes in creating high-performance outdoor clothing and gear for a wide range of activities, from sailing and skiing to hiking and fishing. They are known for their waterproof and insulated clothing, such as jackets, pants, and overalls. They also offer a wide range of footwear, such as boots and shoes, as well as a variety of accessories, including hats, gloves, and backpacks.
Vans is an American footwear and apparel brand that is best known for its skateboarding shoes. The company was founded in Anaheim, California, in 1966, and has since expanded to offer a range of casual footwear and clothing.
Huf is an American skate brand known for its skateboarding and streetwear-inspired products, which feature bold graphics and a California-inspired aesthetic. The brand's footwear is especially popular among skaters, while its apparel and accessories are sought after by streetwear fans.
Quiksilver is an American surf and outdoor brand known for its high-quality surfwear and outdoor clothing. They are known for their wide range of surf-inspired clothing, including wetsuits, board shorts, and rash guards, as well as a variety of other outdoor clothing and gear, including jackets, pants, and backpacks. They also offers a line of snowboard and ski clothing.
Polar Skate Co. is a premium skateboard brand that offers apparel and accessories with a more minimalist aesthetic.
Since 1958, Snow Peak has been making Japanese-designed, lifetime-guaranteed outdoor equipment. Although Snow Peak has changed considerably over the last 60 years, their fundamental mission has stayed the same: to manufacture heirloom-quality outdoor garments and equipment so people can experience nature.
This list of 686 alternatives is constantly evolving based on new finds and community picks. Got a brand you think belongs here? We’d love to hear from you.
