This page is for snowboarders and skiers who like 686's mix of GORE-TEX-grade tech and streetwear styling and want alternatives at similar or lower prices. The short answer: Burton and Volcom are the closest like-for-like snow picks, Arc'teryx, Kjus and Templa cover the premium end, and Salomon, Oakley and Helly Hansen give you technical layers and hardgoods around them. 686 itself is still independent, founder-led and B Corp certified, so nothing here replaces it outright — these are lateral moves.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Why it's similar. Tokyo label pairing Cordura technical outerwear and utility vests with travel backpacks, matching 686's function-first detailing at a similar med-high price.
Salt Lake City B Corp making colorful, repurposed-material outdoor packs and apparel, known for its Allpa travel pack and Del Día bags.
Why it's similar. Salt Lake City B Corp making packs and insulated jackets from repurposed materials — like 686 it is B Corp certified, but sits a tier cheaper and leans colorful rather than snowboard-technical.
Italian outerwear label making technical down jackets and parkas, including the Gobi bomber, with styling drawn from US Air Force pararescue units.
Why it's similar. Italian technical down outerwear with rescue-inspired detailing and ripstop shells, offering warmer, higher-priced parkas for riders who want insulation over shells.
Norwegian outdoor, sailing and workwear brand founded in 1877, acquired by Wrangler owner Kontoor Brands from Canadian Tire in May 2025.
Why it's similar. Norwegian ski and sailing brand with proprietary LIFA base layers and PFC-free waterproof membranes at the same med-high price as 686; acquired by Kontoor Brands in May 2025.
American skate footwear and apparel brand, founded in Anaheim in 1966 and owned by VF Corporation, known for the Old Skool and Sk8-Hi.
Why it's similar. Anaheim skate brand whose vulcanised footwear and casual apparel cover the board-culture side of 686's streetwear influence, at a lower price point.
American skate and snowboard footwear brand founded in 1994, now owned by Authentic Brands Group and operated through licensees.
Why it's similar. Skate-and-snow crossover brand making snowboard boots alongside cupsole skate shoes — the same board-sports intersection 686 works in, cheaper; now an Authentic Brands Group label.
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.
Why it's similar. San Francisco skate and streetwear label and an actual 686 collaborator, useful for the graphic tees, hoodies and caps that sit under a technical shell.
Costa Mesa boardsports apparel brand known for the Stone logo, boardshorts and snow outerwear, now owned by Authentic Brands Group.
Why it's similar. Costa Mesa boardsports brand making snow outerwear alongside skate and surf apparel — the closest low-med-price alternative to 686's snowboard range.
Australian-founded surf label, owned by Authentic Brands Group since 2023, known for boardshorts, wetsuits and snow outerwear.
Why it's similar. Surf-founded label with a long-running snow outerwear line at low-med pricing; now owned by Authentic Brands Group and run through new licensees after 2025.
Australian surf brand from 1973, known for triple-stitched boardshorts, wetsuits and beach-print casualwear; now owned and licensed by Authentic Brands Group.
Why it's similar. Australian surf brand covering the relaxed board-culture apparel end of 686's world at lower prices, now licensed under Authentic Brands Group.
Independent Malmö skateboard brand founded by Pontus Alv in 2011, known for artist-drawn deck graphics and baggy Big Boy denim.
Why it's similar. Malmö skate brand with baggy Big Boy denim and workwear outerwear, matching the loose skate silhouettes 686 borrows from — though it makes no snow-technical gear.
Japanese outdoor brand from Sanjo, Niigata, pairing titanium camp gear with technical apparel; taken private by Bain Capital and the founding family in 2024.
Why it's similar. Japanese outdoor brand whose Takibi workwear, insulated shells and technical fleece hit a similar med-high price and city-wearable technical look; taken private by Bain Capital and the founding family in 2024.
New Zealand streetwear label from the snowboard scene, known for puffer outerwear, heavyweight hoodies and Kiwiana graphic tees.
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.
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 | Burton | 85% | Outdoor / Technical | Cheaper |
| 4 | Arc'teryx | 85% | Outdoor / Technical | More premium |
| 5 | Triple Aught Design | 81% | Outdoor / Technical | Similar |
| 6 | Oakley | 80% | Outdoor / Technical | Cheaper |
| 7 | Kjus | 78% | Outdoor / Technical | More premium |
| 8 | Aether Apparel | 77% | Outdoor / Technical | Similar |
| 9 | Salomon | 76% | Outdoor / Technical | Cheaper |
| 10 | And Wander | 75% | Outdoor / Technical | More premium |
| 11 | F/CE | — | More premium | |
| 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 | Huffer | — | Similar | |
| 24 | Airblaster | — | Similar | |
| 25 | Trew Gear | — | Similar |
Burton. Both are US snowboard-first brands in the same med-high price tier, both are certified B Corps, and both pair technical outerwear (686's Smarty 3-in-1 and GORE-TEX shells, Burton's [ak] line) with a broader softgoods range.
Yes. Volcom, Quiksilver, Billabong, DC Shoes and Vans all sit in the low-med tier, and Salomon and Oakley in the mid tier. Note that Volcom, Quiksilver, Billabong and DC are all Authentic Brands Group properties now operated by licensees, so sizing and quality can vary between seasons.
Arc'teryx is built for alpine and ski-touring performance with laminated, low-seam Gore-Tex construction at a higher price. 686 is snowboard-specific, with a 3-in-1 layering system and utility pockets, and costs less. Pick Arc'teryx for the backcountry, 686 for resort riding and street styling.
Kjus and Templa are ski-led — Kjus for stretch technical shells from an Olympic champion's brand, Templa for minimal luxury pieces that work in town. Helly Hansen and Arc'teryx also cover skiing thoroughly.
Yes. 686 remains independent and founder-led; Michael Akira West resumed day-to-day leadership in late 2024, and the company certified as a B Corp in 2024.