Marker has a long history of hardgoods innovation—ushering in a new era of skiing via radical technology developments in the 50s and 60s. For all skiers, the association between bindings and the word “Marker” is instantaneous. This year, though, with the introduction of an all-new apparel line, the company plans to make its mark on the world of outerwear.
“The apparel was geared more to the frontside,” says brand manager Katie Hawkins of Marker’s pre-2014 offerings. “You wouldn’t know it was Marker because you didn’t see much synergy between the apparel and the hardgoods technology.”
When Marker launched its line of helmets and goggles last year under the name Marker Protective Snow Equipment, a logical next step was to strengthen the outerwear offerings under that same umbrella.
“The objective was to create one global brand by means of branding, positioning, and marketing, that would align the apparel line with that of Marker hardgoods,” says Hawkins.
In regards to functionality, category manager Brian Loveless aimed to, “keep everyone outside longer and offer an apparel line that wouldn’t fall apart after one or two seasons of heavy use.” To this end, the company partnered with brands such as Polartec and Gore-Tex to produce some of the highest quality garments on the market.
“Every piece has a specific use,” says Loveless in regards to the new line. “It’s utilitarian and functional, just like Marker’s hard goods.”
The Squire and Countess collections include heavily featured jackets and pants that are aimed at the resort skier looking for waterproofing and breathability at a great value. The collection’s youthful styling transitions easily from slope to street. The $250 Fall Line Jacket, for example, offers fully seam sealed waterproof, breathable protection with skier friendly features like a helmet-compatible hood, gripper powder skirt and a full-coverage collar.
Just as Jester bindings are at home in the park, the Jester and Marquise apparel collections combine durability and style, utilizing rugged 150 Denier Gore-Tex. Marker placed higher density Pertex Shield fabrics in critical areas—on the shoulders for carrying skis and around the pant legs for hiking the pipe. The women’s Snowdancer Jacket is the warmest in the line, featuring waterproof and hyper breathable Pertex Shield stuffed with synthetic insulation.
And the pinnacle of the Protective Snow Apparel line, the Duke and Duchess collections, are designed for backcountry skiers. Within that collection is the fully taped Pumphouse jacket, which uses Polartec’s NeoShell Softshell. One of the leading brands in the industry to tape the inside of the softshell fabric by a meticulous process of slightly shaving the areas that receive seam tape.
“It’s perfect for backcountry skiing,” says Hawkins. “It’s warm, but still breathable and has a clean, functional silhouette.” So, whether you’re lapping the Quad lift at Stowe or skiing backcountry in the Wasatch, Marker Protective Snow Apparel is the type of technical and feature-rich outerwear that will treat you right.
Marker Pumphouse Jacket
“The Marker Pumphouse ski jacket is as comfortable blasting downhill as it is setting the skin tracks, the Pumphouse sets ski industry standards as the first to utilize the fully taped…” Click for full review.
Marker Fall Line Jacket
“First come, first turns. The Fall Line jacket’s fully seam sealed polyester fabric is both waterproof and breathable, ensuring protection in less-than-ideal conditions…” Click for full review.
Marker Women’s Snowdancer Jacket
“Answer the call of the fresh in the Marker Snowdancer women’s ski jacket. Our warmest in the line, this meticulously designed jacket is built with waterproof and hyper breathable…” Click for full review.
