A reptile and its wings
Evolution is a fundamental law of life. Only those who develop, adapt, and find new ways will survive and maximize their opportunities. Consciously or unconsciously, Archaeopteryx lithographica was also aware of that. That's why it was the first lizard to develop wings, thus conquering the air. This kind of innovative spirit also inspired the company founded in North Vancouver, British Columbia, as Rock Solid in 1989. Without further ado, the skeleton of the flying lizard became the brand's new logo. In 1992, it went public with the name ArctCanada'snada's mountains, which have always been a place for dreams, but they also highly demand people and equipment. For Arcteryx product developers and designers, this proximity to the mountains naturally offers excellent opportunities to work on clever, technical products. From the beginning, they have seen themselves as a group of like-minded people who come together in the Design Center to find simple solutions to complex problems.
The bird spreads its wings.
One of the first products was a hot-laminated climbing harness. At the time, it was cutting-edge, and Canadians still use the technology today in ultralight climbing harnesses. The proximity to the mountains makes you more aware of what you need and offers the perfect opportunity to try out new ideas and prototypes immediately.
From its roots as a climbing outfitter, Arcteryx has since developed into a brand that offers everything from clothing and equipment for the most challenging expeditions to stylish and technical pieces for your everyday wear. Furthermore, since the seasons in the Canadian mountains experience a quick transition, Arcteryx has suitable clothing for both summer and winter in its range. Ski touring or freeriding is just as much a part of this as trekking tours, trail running, and mountain hikes. And, of course, the Canadians stay true to their roots and equip you with everything you need for sports, alpine or ice climbing.
Optimism as a driving force
Arcteryx's goal is to reconnect people with the experience of nature. The Canadians call "this "inspiring opt "mism," which means overcoming boundaries to bring people back to nature. The great outdoors is a place where you can find new perspectives, grow personally, and meet like-minded people. Arcteryx's range of products is designed to help us find our way to this place and fully enjoy our time there.
No matter how harsh the conditions or how fickle the weather, every day is a good day to spend outdoors. Minimalism is at the heart of the company's design philosophy. The design may sound a little too much like art, but in functional design, form follows functionality. How much is enough? What can be left out? How does good become great? Good design is the result of instinct, discipline, and insight. The excellent design stands the test of not restricting your freedom of movement, improving your outdoor experience, and being timelessly elegant. It is precisely this type of design that has become the hallmark of Arcteryx.
Design, experience, and doing the right thing
In addition to design, two other parts of Arcteryx's DNA are doing the right thing and gaining experience. Arcteryx asks itself whether it is doing the right thing with every decision. Is the brand using suitable materials? Is it working correctly and with the right people? Is the team behaving properly towards society, nature, and its neighbors? Doing the right thing relates to the quality and sustainability of the products and highlights the company's social responsibility.
In addition to its own findings when testing products, Arcteryx also relies on the experience of athletes, mountain guides, and participants in self-organized events. After all, what sounds excellent in theory must also prove itself in practice. Furthermore, these three pillars ensure that you can rely on Arcterx to use only the best materials in the most technically advanced way with the greatest possible care. When every detail is correct, the result is products that can withstand even the most extreme stresses, where nothing is excessive, are also lightweight, durable, and perform brilliantly.
There is always a way.
Evolution is a very optimistic thought. Those who are always thinking about how to make excellent even better, how to make lightweight even lighter, how to make robust even more robust, are not resting on their laurels. It may sound absurd for a lizard to want to fly suddenly, yet it has done it. That is why Arcteryx is always looking for a way forward. Adaptation, further development, and creation are essential to the company's thinking because the best solutions are created under the most difficult conditions. The relationship with nature is an integral part of this – only by engaging with it can you understand it, and only by understanding it can you learn from it.
Arcteryx brand check:
• Arcteryx... founded in 1989 as Rock Solid in North Vancouver, is part of the Finnish Amer Sports group
• Best known for... top-quality functional clothing for the most extreme challenges
• Well-known athletes associated with this brand include... Austin Ross (skiing), Jesse Huey (alpine climbing), Adam Campbell (trail running) and many more
• A classic is... the Alpha SV Jacket
• Sustainability: Arcteryx is a bluesign system partner, uses RDS-certified down, continues manufacturing its top products in Canada, and works with Ocean Wise.