discoWe compared 24 brands similar to 686 on fit, price and aesthetic — 10 cheaper and 7 more premium, led by Black Diamond and Templa.
If you're a fan of 686 and looking for similar brands that emphasize quality and style, consider checking out Black Diamond, Burton, and Oakley. These brands, like 686, offer specialized outdoor and technical apparel designed for enthusiasts who demand both functionality and innovation. From snowboarding to climbing, these brands have unique approaches that resonate with active lifestyles while maintaining a fashionable edge. Discovering brands like 686 can enhance your wardrobe with versatile options that meet the needs of your adventurous pursuits.
Salt Lake City maker of climbing and ski gear — Camalot cams, harnesses, headlamps, poles and technical apparel — owned by Clarus Corporation.
Why it's similar. Both brands focus on high-quality outdoor and technical apparel designed for snow sports and climbing.
Australian-Belgian luxury label making minimal, technical ski outerwear — down and PrimaLoft puffers, shells and snow pants — for the slopes and the city.
Why it's similar. Templa closely matches 686 in style and segment, offering high-performance outerwear with technical fabrics and avant-garde designs. Both brands focus on outdoor/technical style with premium pricing.
Canadian technical outerwear brand from North Vancouver, known for Gore-Tex Alpha SV shells, Atom midlayers and its Veilance and LEAF sublines.
Why it's similar. Arc'teryx and 686 share a deep commitment to technical design and premium materials. Both brands focus on outdoor technical wear and have a premium pricing strategy.
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San Francisco brand making largely US-made technical softshells, packs and everyday-carry tools with a muted, military-influenced aesthetic.
Why it's similar. Both brands focus on functional, technical designs for outdoor enthusiasts with a premium price point. Similar attention to durability and high-performance materials.
Californian sport-performance eyewear and apparel brand, part of EssilorLuxottica, known for Prizm lenses and Frogskins, Holbrook and Sutro frames.
Why it's similar. Both brands create specialized technical apparel and accessories aimed at outdoor enthusiasts and athletes.
Swiss maker of premium technical skiwear and golf apparel, founded by Olympic champion Lasse Kjus and owned by Titleist parent Acushnet.
Why it's similar. Kjus aligns with 686 in focusing on high-performance sportswear with quality materials, premium pricing, and catering to ski and outdoor enthusiasts.
What changes. Much higher price, alpine-ski styling over snowboard fit
Los Angeles technical outerwear brand making minimal, sealed-seam jackets and ski gear built for both city wear and the outdoors.
Why it's similar. AETHER shares a commitment to performance-focused outerwear with technical and luxury materials, similar to 686, and is based in Los Angeles.
French outdoor brand from Annecy known for ski and trail-running gear, whose XT-6 and Speedcross shoes became gorpcore streetwear staples.
Why it's similar. Both brands offer technical apparel and footwear designed for outdoor sports, including skiing.
Tokyo technical outdoor label founded in 2011 by ex-Issey Miyake designers Keita Ikeuchi and Mihoko Mori, owned by TSI Holdings.
Why it's similar. Both brands offer upscale technical apparel tailored for outdoor enthusiasts, blending function with style.
Japanese travel-driven label pairing technical Cordura backpacks with utilitarian outerwear, building each collection around a country its designers have visited.
Paris-based independent online techwear retailer and label selling shell jackets, cargo pants, harnesses and accessories in dark, cyberpunk-influenced styling.
Salt Lake City B Corp making colorful, repurposed-material outdoor packs and apparel, known for its Allpa travel pack and Del Día bags.
Italian outerwear label making technical down jackets and parkas, including the Gobi bomber, with styling drawn from US Air Force pararescue units.
Norwegian outdoor, sailing and workwear brand founded in 1877, acquired by Wrangler owner Kontoor Brands from Canadian Tire in May 2025.
What changes. Sailing/workwear heritage, broader categories, less snowboard culture
American skate footwear and apparel brand, founded in Anaheim in 1966 and owned by VF Corporation, known for the Old Skool and Sk8-Hi.
American skate and snowboard footwear brand founded in 1994, now owned by Authentic Brands Group and operated through licensees.
HUF is a skate and streetwear brand founded in San Francisco in 2002 by pro skateboarder Keith Hufnagel, now owned by Japan's TSI Holdings.
Costa Mesa boardsports apparel brand known for the Stone logo, boardshorts and snow outerwear, now owned by Authentic Brands Group.
Australian-founded surf label, owned by Authentic Brands Group since 2023, known for boardshorts, wetsuits and snow outerwear.
Australian surf brand from 1973, known for triple-stitched boardshorts, wetsuits and beach-print casualwear; now owned and licensed by Authentic Brands Group.
Independent Malmö skateboard brand founded by Pontus Alv in 2011, known for artist-drawn deck graphics and baggy Big Boy denim.
Japanese outdoor brand from Sanjo, Niigata, pairing titanium camp gear with technical apparel; taken private by Bain Capital and the founding family in 2024.
Independent, rider-owned Portland snowboard label known for Ninja Suit base layers, one-piece Freedom Suits and irreverent graphic outerwear.
Why it's similar. Independent, rider-owned Portland snowboard label known for Ninja Suit base layers, one-piece Freedom Suits and irreverent graphic outerwear.
Portland-based maker of waterproof-breathable ski and snowboard bibs, shells and midlayers, sold direct to consumers since 2015.
Why it's similar. Like 686, TREW Gear is an independent maker of technical snow outerwear, building three-layer waterproof-breathable shells, bibs and midlayers, though it sells direct from Portland.
Accessories, eyewear and adjacent labels with the same sensibility as 686 — a complement, not a substitute for the clothing.
Family-owned Vermont snowboard company making boards, Step On bindings, outerwear and a bag line from daypacks to roller luggage.
Why it's similar. Both brands excel in outdoor and technical apparel tailored for winter sports, primarily snowboarding.
What changes. Also makes boards, boots and bindings; bigger and more mainstream
Disco ranks brand alternatives using style overlap, category overlap, price tier, fit, colour palette, and cultural context. Scores are directional, not absolute. Read the full methodology →
| # | Brand | Similarity | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black Diamond | 92% | Outdoor / Technical | Similar |
| 2 | Templa | 87% | Outdoor / Technical | More premium |
| 3 | Arc'teryx | 85% | Outdoor / Technical | More premium |
| 4 | Triple Aught Design | 81% | Outdoor / Technical | Similar |
| 5 | Oakley | 80% | Outdoor / Technical | Cheaper |
| 6 | Kjus | 78% | Outdoor / Technical | More premium |
| 7 | Aether Apparel | 77% | Outdoor / Technical | Similar |
| 8 | Salomon | 76% | Outdoor / Technical | Cheaper |
| 9 | And Wander | 75% | Outdoor / Technical | More premium |
| 10 | F/CE | — | More premium | |
| 11 | OFF-WRLD Techwear | — | Similar | |
| 12 | Cotopaxi | — | Cheaper | |
| 13 | Parajumpers | — | More premium | |
| 14 | Helly Hanson | — | Cheaper | |
| 15 | VANS | — | Cheaper | |
| 16 | DC Shoes | — | Cheaper | |
| 17 | Huf | — | Cheaper | |
| 18 | Volcom | — | Cheaper | |
| 19 | Quiksilver | — | Cheaper | |
| 20 | Billabong | — | Cheaper | |
| 21 | Polar Skate Co. | — | Similar | |
| 22 | Snow Peak | — | More premium | |
| 23 | Airblaster | — | Similar | |
| 24 | Trew Gear | — | Similar | |
| 25 | BurtonAccessories & adjacent | 85% | Outdoor / Technical | Cheaper |
Black Diamond is the closest match, scoring a 92% similarity. Their emphasis on high-quality outdoor and technical gear closely parallels 686’s dedication to premium snow sports apparel.
Consider Burton, Oakley, and Salomon. All of these brands offer mid-range pricing while providing functional and stylish winter sports apparel.
While both brands offer high-quality technical gear, Black Diamond excels in climbing-specific apparel, whereas 686 provides specialized snowboarding outerwear with a stylish streetwear twist.
686 stands out for its innovative technical outerwear designed for snowboarding and skiing. Their stylish designs and high-quality materials are tailored for outdoor adventurers and winter sports lovers.
Burton, Oakley, and Salomon offer more affordable options while maintaining high standards for performance gear. They provide excellent value for mid-range pricing tiers.