Fashion Info - Keep Cool this Winter in Boarding Gear

Boarders - whether on snow or skates - have possibly more influence on fashion than any other sport. This season, with their independent attitude, love of retro and no-nonsense appreciation of practicality and function, snowboarders have once again pioneered the best cold weather footwear.

Creating gear and apparel for the snowboarding market isn't easy: they are the most demanding, informed, style and price conscious athletes around. It's a tricky mix of obvious features such as colour, design and performance combined with the inexplicable component that makes a brand identity cool. No one gets caught wearing anything that doesn't fit the bill.

Trying to define the ingredient that makes a brand successful is the endless challenge facing snowboarding companies. Loose shapes, muted half-colours and high-tech components have had the most dramatic impact on winter-sport fashion both on and off the hills, yet it's downhill all the way for any company that can't tap into the illusive element that makes a boarding brand work. It's something that is inconspicuous and modest, but everyone can recognise it. It's a tough call.

The latest apres-ski looks have come a long way from the infamous Ivana Trump-style fuzzy boots (but even these have their own ironic appeal and are still available in die-hard stores). Look forward to Autumn/Winter 2000's easy styles that are versatile enough to wear on and off the slopes.

This season's collection is as vast as the tundra. Snowboarding-boot inspired shapes and aggressive outsoles by Gravis, DC Shoes, Columbia and Teva satisfy young thrill seekers. Colours include orange, grey, yellow and olive green. Forecasts from the Snowsports Industries of America indicates that muted tans, greys and greens have replaced the once popular blues, reds and yellows. Primary colours like these are restricted to details only.

The non-conformity issue has always been an important one for boarders who prefer to support small, rider-owned or traditional businesses rather than corporate suit and tie companies. This makes for a staggering amount of diversity and choice. Salomon and Merrell started a fashion avalanche with winter clogs and moccasins, spurring other performance brands such as L L Bean and Vasque which have developed some cool products that work well on-piste ...and well, on the piss. The old faithful brands such as Timberland, Rockport and Birkenstock still provide the classic styles to wear around town whilst Burton, Vans, Ride and Bonfire have developed and retained a huge amount of brand loyalty.

What ever brand you prefer, one thing is for sure - it won't alter your ability on the slopes but it will go some way to bolstering your ego and confidence as you ollie over a make believe snow dune. Use these featured styles as a starting point, then check out the performance footwear websites in our directories for more information and discover your favourite brands in our online shopping directories...