Tag: jackets

The Best Holiday Outerwear and Winter Jackets

Outfitting active individuals is part of who we are as a company and when the winter hits, what you’re wearing to keep you warm is crucial. We stock the best winter jackets and other outerwear because we know you need high quality materials and stylish designs. Nothing represents that as well as The North Face, Patagonia, Columbia, and many of the other brands that we carry.

Outerwear Winter Jackets Patagonia, The North Face, Columbia

This winter, stop by our Outerwear and Winter Jackets section to see the best deals, the best coats, winter hats, glove and snow pants.


What Are the Differences Between Ski Jackets and Snowboard Jackets?

Learn the differences between ski and snowboard jackets, to find the right winter jacket for sport.

At first glance, there really aren’t any. All ski and snowboard jackets are water-proof, durable, and great in the snow…and honestly, for most people the terms are pretty interchangeable. But for serious skiers and snowboarders, there is a world of difference between snowboard and ski jackets. Put them back to back, and these disparities quickly become evident.

Traditional skiing jackets are built for mobility, comfort, and performance. They’re streamlined, sleek, lightweight, and fully featured to seal out cold air and snow.

Jacket ComparisonSki jackets are typically more fitted shells, cutting down on excess material to improve speed and aerodynamics on the mountain. Style wise, most ski jackets are simply patterned, with bright and sometimes loud color combinations. They stand out, but don’t push the envelope, focusing on performance over bold style.

Alternatively, snowboard jackets are inspired by, and aimed at skateboarders, surfers, motocross, and bmx riders. They’re designed by guys like Shaun White, and companies like Burton, Oakley, and Billabong. In other words, (and not surprisingly so) snowboard jackets are street styled for the thrill-seeking kids who would be into snowboarding! So you’ll find more edgy, artistic patterns and designs in snowboarding jackets than you’d usually find in skiing jackets. Similarly, snowboarding jackets are baggier and longer than skiing jackets, for a younger, more urban look than the streamlined, fitting, and fast performance skiing jackets offer.

Why different?

Snowboard and skiing jackets are different for two reasons; they’re aimed at different audiences, and they’re meant for different sports.

Killtec Skiing JacketSkiing comes from a racing tradition, which has always focused on speed and finesse. Thus, you get bright colors, lightweight fabrics, and shorter hems in a skiing jacket. After all, skiers need extra mobility in both of their legs for better forward and backward movement. For most skiers, style is secondary to speed, mobility, and comfort, so skiing jackets try to deliver accordingly.

On the other hand, snowboarding evolved from skateboarding and surfing…two sports that have always been closely intertwined with style, street fashion, music, and fringe art. So it should come as no shock that snowboarding jackets feature boundary-pushing patterns and colors, modern media integration, and a more youthful look to them with long, baggy styles.

Burton Mens Poacher Snowboard JacketPerformance wise, their bagginess and extra length are generally better for snowboarding as well, which is more park-oriented than racing specialized, focusing more on tricks, grinds, and grabs, than making quick runs down the mountain. Baggy jackets make it easier to move your arms and torso for tricks, and the extra length makes it more comfortable to sit on the snow in between heats.

You see the same differences in skiing and snowboarding pants. Traditional ski pants are straight hemmed, lightweight, and roomy enough to move in, but definitely designed for fast and active movement. Snowboarding pants, like snowboarding jackets, are baggy, heavier, more colorful, and lined with pockets and extras, for the more style-focused snowboarder.

What’s the same?

Snowboarding Jackets and PantsSki and snowboard jackets are interchangeable for most people because generally, they do the same things and have a lot of the same features. Most are designed with similar water-proof shells, helmet-compatible hoods, adjustable cuffs, high collars, and most importantly, snow skirts, to prevent snow and ice from getting into the jacket. They both focus on keeping you warm, dry, and comfortable in the extreme cold of the mountain, and since both types of jackets are meant for active sport, they’re both performance-oriented.
At the end of the day, the differences between these two types of winter-sports jackets are negligible for most people, especially those just starting out. But since they differ functionally and stylistically, these jackets can definitely have an effect on your comfort and performance in the powder. For instance, if you’re a skier wearing a snowboarding jacket, it’s probably going to slow you down, catching the air like a sail and holding you back. Concurrently, if you’re a snowboarder wearing a skiing jacket, it’s probably going to be too tight for you to pull off any big grabs or tricks. All-in-all, it’s important to find the right jacket for your game before heading up the mountain.
By Brandon Porter.Brandon is a product specialist at Sports Unlimited.

New for Spring 2011 – The North Face Amp Hybrid Jackets

Spring time is near.  Though it’s still mid-February, the Winter season is approaching its end.  Throughout much of the United States, for instance, today’s weather is a preview of glorious days ahead, as many regions are experiencing spring-like weather upwards of 50-plus degrees.  The cold and dark winter is quickly becoming a memory (fingers crossed, at least), so it’s time to trade in those heavy winter jackets for lighter spring windbreakers.

The North Face has just what you need this spring with its newly designed Amp Hybrid Jackets.  These technical jackets are part windproof and part stretch-fit construction, hence the “Hybrid” in the name.  Ideal for aerobic use such as running, biking, and climbing in cooler temperatures, The North Face Amp Hybrid Jacket is mostly covered in a windproof shell, protecting you from the cutting wind, while the rest of the jacket is made of four-way stretch TNF Apex Aerobic materials, offering more mobility in places you need it, such as under the arms and the sides, for unrestricted movement.

These jackets also feature a DWR (durable water repellent) finish and have a performance fit, perfect for your exercising needs.

<– The North Face Womens Amp Hybrid Jacket

The North Face Mens Amp Hybrid Jacket –>

Rain Gear Sale – 10% off all Rain Gear

There’s nothing worse than getting stuck in a cold fall or winter rain storm.  Sports Unlimited wants to get everyone prepared so we are giving you 10% Off All Rain Gear for a limited time.  New styles and brands are just in, including Rivers West waterproof fleece jackets and the fun themed kids rain gear by Western Chief Kids.  We’re not forgetting about Fido either, because no dog wants to take a walk in the pouring rain.  If you happen to be looking for early holiday gifts, a new rain jacket is a gift that everyone will love and appreciate.

Since we’ve come to terms that summer is but a distant memory, there is no reason not to prepare yourself for the inevitable rainstorms that are sure to come.  That’s why, for a limited time only, we’re giving a 10% discount for all rain gear – that includes rain jackets, rain pants, rain suits, and even toddler rain umbrellas!  Just type in the coupon code “RAINTEN” to receive the discount.

The North Face Rain Gear and Columbia Rain Gear

The North Face – New – Fall Outerwear

Now that summer is over, it’s time to gear up for the cool days ahead.  What better way to do so than with The North Face outerwear?  At our home site, sportsunlimited.com, we have added a ton of new The North Face products for the Fall 2010 season.

I’d blab on about how great The North Face is, but I think this quote from our newsletter says it best:

“Every year when Fall comes around, people look to The North Face to keep them warm and cozy throughout the cold months. This year, we bring you the best collection of The North Face jackets and outerwear ever, including fleece jackets for toddlers and infants.  Whether you are looking for more casual style fleece or a high-performance softshell jacket, The North Face offers you quality and dependability that can’t be beat.  Don’t miss out on the best-selling Denali Jacket that delivers that iconic The North Face look for the whole family.”

Boom.  Told ya.