686 Mens Outerwear F/W 2026/27 Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Mens Outerwear F/W 2026/27 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: 686
Interviewee: Brent Sandor, VP Marketing

In 2 sentences – how was the men’s snow outerwear market in 2025/26?
The men’s snow outerwear market is more complex than ever. On one hand we see sustainable staples and product that lasts year’s in mens closet and on the other hand we are seeing trending styles, fits and colors change in real time over the course of a single season.

What are the main trends you take your inspiration from for 2026/27?
We take inspirations from our team and their travels. From color to silhouette and graphics, everything is derived from the actual experience.

What new jacket fits and pant silhouettes are coming out in 2026/27?
We continue to evolve the Dojo fit to meet Forest’s needs, and the needs of the Dojo rider. The Dojo gets a lengthened rise and a wider leg opening that makes it wear more like a classic straight fit pant than ever. We continue to offer multiple jacket fits – from the cropped Dojo fit to three unique heritage jackets revived from our vault, each in its unique oversized fit, reminiscent of the 90’s and 200’s.

Tell us about colours and prints:
Earth tones are back with touches of pop. Our showroom took on a whole new feeling with these soothing colors.

Any *NEW* technical stories with regards to fabrics and materials?
Heavier material and sustainable choices dominate the new materials. We are introducing a new heavier weight crinkle nylon in the Dojo pant and continue to focus on heavier materials in our larger fit pants to avoid the wind flap associated with other baggies on the market. Over three quarters of our shell fabrics are recycled or from renewable resources, reducing our carbon footprint and reliance on virgin material.

How are you addressing sustainability topics, not only in production of your products (materials, transportation, packaging) but also their after-life / repurposing?
Our focus for sustainability remains with B Corp as our North Star and a focus on carbon footprint measurement and reduction, waster management during production and a local to global philoshopy.

What are your big marketing campaigns for 2026/27?
Coming off of Atlas, we are shifting our focus to unique product stories – 10 years of GORE-TEX and the introduction of WINDSTOPPER® Technologies by GORE-TEX LABS, our technical all mountain hoody collection comprised of our classic 10K Waterproof Hoody, our 10K Team Waterproof Hoody and our WINDSTOPPER® Pullover Hoody by GORE-TEX LABS, and our new glove assortment with new styles at both the upper and lower end of the range.

Key Products:

GORE-TEX Dispatch Jacket:
A stormproof jacket designed for an all-mountain experience, with strategically-placed pockets providing direct access to the Dispatch Bib. Features durable 500D paneling on the shoulders and sides to prevent wear and tear from a pack. Tested and proven durable at 11,053’ by the world-renowned Mammoth Unbound Park Staff to last during their 200+ day seasons.

Dojo Collection:
An evolution of Dojo. Forest spent more time than ever perfecting the new Dojo collection. The rider’s needs are changing and Forest is listening – updated fits, heavier materials and new prints bring together a collection that is inspired by skateboarding and contemporary fashion but built for snow performance.

WINDSTOPPER® Pullover Hoody by GORE-TEX LABS:
When we designed our first all-mountain Pullover Hoody, traditionalists laughed. Now nearly 10 years later our collection of Pullover Hoodies is joined by the most technical fabrication yet including WINDSTOPPER® Pullover Hoody by GORE-TEX Labs—Totally windproof, reliably breathable and water resistant. The more detail, opinion, description & comment you give us, the more we can feature you.