There’s nothing worse than packing all your best holiday fits, getting to your destination and finding the weather conditions aren’t at all similar to what you were expecting… And while we’d like to think that no one is visiting JaPow with a suitcase stacked with bikinis and speedos, we do quite often see some very un-snow-friendly outfits making their way down the mountains.
Levi’s jeans substituting a pair of ski pants, lightweight t-shirts and hoodies in lieu of a jacket, and in the case of that one dude at Niseko’s Centre Four last winter, a pair of New Balance’s strapped straight into snowboard bindings – yep, we’ve seen it all over the course of the last twenty years in Japan.
With that in mind, we wanted to offer up a few picks of steezy outerwear options suitable for all weather conditions to add to your Christmas wishlist – because we don’t want you ruining your favourite pair of Levi’s, even if they look suave with your snow jacket.
Pow Steez
Hestra – ‘3-Finger GTX’
It would be pretty hard to live life without any of your fingers. If you were only rocking three, on the other hand (pun intended), it’s a lot more doable. So really, three fingers is all you should need when riding: your index and middle finger to clutch your stocks, and one spare to take photos of those perfect Yotei views.
Anon – ‘M5’ Goggle
Copped a faceshot from another rider’s slash? Don’t bother yelling at them, you can now bust out a side-eye glare thanks to the Anon M5. With a wide field of view and expanded peripheral vision, the M5 offers unrestricted vision and a lower bridge fit which offers a snugger fit on the nose, alongside a perceive lens that can easily be switched out depending on conditions.
thirtytwo – ‘Digger’ boot
If you’ve ever dug a car out of 3 ft of fresh snow, you’ll know that your standard pair of Dr Martens aren’t going to keep you dry or maintain any traction on the ice. The thirtytwo ‘Digger’ boot on the other hand, you’ll be having so much fun in the snow that you’ll start digging out your neighbours whip as well. A workhorse of an outdoor boot, the Digger is perfect for walking around town, hiking mountainous trails or digging out your own backyard terrain park this winter.
Patagonia – Women’s ‘Untracked’ Jacket
If you’ve ever read a Rhythm ‘Gear Picks’ or ‘Tips From The Team’ blog and the team member whose brain was being picked was Niseko’s Rhythm Summit Store Manager Tom Phillips, you would have come across Patagonia’s ‘Untracked’ jacket as a recommendation – he bloody loves them.
But for good reason. Not only are they practical, waterproof, and rocking a 3-layer 100% recycled nylon GORE-TEX ePE Performance for unbeatable storm protection, they never go out of style – ever. Have you ever seen someone donning a Patagonia jacket and thought, ‘that’s so last season’… NEVER. No matter what the season, Patagonia remains steezy.
Park Steez
Armada – ‘Reedy’ Jacket- black
When you’re hucking and praying your way into spins and rotations, you don’t want to be all bundled up, you want to be donning a lightweight outershell that gives you added moveability and breathability, making Armada’s ‘Reedy’ jacket a perfect park piece for all you thrashers out there. Lightweight, 10K/10K breathability, waterproof, the Reedy is a prime outershell for springtime park laps.
Armada – ‘Team Issue 2L Pant Floral’
In the army you earn stripes on your shoulder the more you progress through the ranks. When it comes to riding park, you earn baggier pants – because the baggier the pants, the better the rider… everyone knows that.
At least, Armada knows that, with their Team Issue Floral Pants delivering one of the baggiest fits to hit the Rhythm shelves in a fair while. As you can imagine, they make for the perfect Xmas wishlist item for riders looking to have max steez in the park (and for frugal ski bums wanting to test out the opportunity to put 5 riders into the same set of pants like a clown car).
686 Dojo Jacket and Pant. Blue airbrush colour
Dress Code: Business/Casual/Steez. From afar you’ll be thinking that you’re seeing someone thrashing through the park in their finest pair of Dickies slacks. Up close, you’ll see the sleek lightning effects scattered all across the design – kind of like a young corporate professional wearing a pair of funky socks with their business attire. Focusing on fit and feel first, 686’s Dojo’s are designed to be nearly a full grade bigger than your normal fit, providing effortless steez and a relaxed look when smashing park.
Consistent Steez (All-Rounders)
Smith – Squad MAG x Gen Sasaki
If there’s a rider out there who knows what the best gear for JaPow is, it’s Gen Sasaki. Born and raised in Niseko, Sasaki has gone on to become one of Japan’s most famous skiers, without ever forgetting where his home truly is. Don’t believe us? Check out the Yotei images on the strap of his signature model goggles!
If you’re looking for the perfect goggles for Niseko’s unique conditions, while also wanting to bring home a cool trinket that’ll forever remind you of your time in JaPow, Gen’s goggles are a must-have.
Arcteryx – Mens ‘Macai’ Jacket
No one knows what makes Arc’teryx so damn cool, it just is. Is it because the best riders on the mountain are shredding in it? Because its logo stands out amongst the masses? Because of its insulated DropHood which can be removed on clear days and re-added to look staunch on the cold, overcast days? WE DON”T KNOW, but the Arc’teryx line continues to provide unmatched steez season-on-season.
Picture – ‘U62 Bib Pants’
When you’re smashing waist-deep pow, you’re going to want to be rocking a pair of pants that covers more than just your waist and hips. Bibs provide added protection and functionality while shredding, with the U28 offering more pockets than you’ll ever know what to do with, snow gaiters, adjustable straps, and multiple adjustment options at the hem. No matter what shape or size you are, the Picture U62’s will make sure your bum’s dry this winter, while also making you look cool as heck.
Spring Steez
Beyond Medals – ‘Softshell Hoody’, Orange
Bluebird days = hoody weather. Although as we all know, a wet hoody (cleary indicating bulk stacks) is not nearly as steezy. Luckily, Beyond Medals are now serving up softshell hoodies ideal for both springtime bluebird laps and everyday life around the village.
Pit Viper – ‘The Synthesizer’
A pair of shades that are both in-your-face and on your face – there’s no statement piece quite like a set of Pit Viper Synthezisers. Not only does a pair of Viper’s make you look like a practical shredder that understands the functionality of a set of sunnies that offers the same specs as a pair of goggles – they also make it known to everyone on the mountain that you’re always down to party. And as everyone knows, if you’re not ranking in the top 3 rippers on the mountain, being the King or Queen of the après scene is the fastest way to gaining notoriety in any snow resort.
Volcom – ‘Layered Up’ Vest- Black
While we know that there are ample vest options on the market, if you were to visit any ski town around the world, you’d assume the Volcom Layered Up was the only vest available for male winter shredders. Almost every ripper working in retail around JaPow’s ski resorts is donning the same Layered Up, white t-shirt, black beanie combo – why? Because it looks damn good. Not only that, the Layered Up increases your core heat, offering an insulated layer made of waterproof nylon to provide the heat both on and off the slopes.
Steezy In-Season Hardgoods
If you’re someone who likes upgrading your setup every year (looking at you lifties, we know about those sweet, sweet tax write offs), but your budget is looking slim this Xmas, why not chuck a few hardgoods onto your wishlist? Your loved ones might ignore them, but there’s no harm in trying, right?
Faction – Studio 3
Sure, you may already own a set of Faction skis (who doesn’t at this point), but if you don’t have the Studio 3’s, you’ll be hoping that you wake up on Christmas morning with these bad-boys poking out of your stocking.
Offering a slightly skinnier tail and wider tip than previous Faction models, the Studio 3’s offer superior downhill performance than your standard symmetrical twin-tip. Playful yet precise, the Studio 3’s will have you skiing pow like you’ve always dreamt of.
Moncler Grenoble x WHITESPACE
Good news for all you Shaun White enthusiasts out there, for the second year running he has co-created a Moncler Grenoble x WHITESPACE snowboard, which will be available in select stores – including our Rhythm Operated Moncler Niseko store! With a featherlight design that redefines responsiveness, agility, and mountain dominance, the Moncler x Whitespace collab will have you smashing side hits as if you’re ‘the flying tomato’ himself.
Got your new setup, now you just need the skills to match the steez? Send it with these unbeatable deals on lessons, guiding and backcountry touring!
