Probably the strongest snowboard wear, it's no exaggeration to say. The AK457 has been created with Hiroshi Fujiwara, the brand's creative director (a music producer who is also known for his love of powder riding), while professional rider Masanori Takeuchi, who continues to be active in the backcountry field throughout the season, faces that experience. It's a special product.About 10 years after the start, the extremely high performance completed through various trials and errors is probably the highest among the global brands Burton.So, this time, while digging up a little about the evolution process of AK457, I covered the development episodes related to each item.
The trigger for the beginning
AK457 started in 2010.Burton's [ak] line at that time was somehow different from the previous line.A slightly thicker silhouette with a freestyle-like atmosphere.I think it matched the times, but there was a part that I felt was unsatisfactory for us adult generations who pursue backcountry and free riding.Before that, I wanted to make a refreshing jacket based on TRI-RITE, which was said to be synonymous with AK, so Hiroshi Fujiwara will be the creative director and I will be in charge of the technical part. AK457 started at.
What we aimed for
The first thing I aimed for was a standard L size, which fits my body and is easy to move, and has a clean silhouette in terms of design.And it is easy to use in the backcountry, and manufacturing that focuses on that.How can you respond smoothly when you enter the backcountry with a snowboard, and how can you respond firmly to the ever-changing natural environment?For outerwear, we focused on the performance required as a shell, thought about items in a clear direction that temperature control is all handled by layering, and made products through trial and error.In the backcountry, we naturally consider the movement of walking, riding, and hiking with a backpack on our back.It was necessary to make the outer lighter, and I made it with considerable consideration for the arrangement of pockets, zippers, and flaps.In terms of functionality, the basis of development has always been how to stay in the backcountry smoothly, accurately, safely and comfortably.
Gore-Tex
In order to use Gore-Tex, it is difficult to pass the standards set by Gore-Tex in the test, but I think that it makes a lot of sense because it increases the reliability of the wear.In fact, at the development stage, the positions and mounting methods of pockets and zippers that we considered did not meet Gore-Tex standards.For example, if you place a pocket in this position, you have to attach a flap.But it's a standard for more perfect performance, so it's been a very important factor in improving the performance of the AK457.
AK457 GUIDE JACKET
Anyway, I was particular about the details.Starting with the adjustment of a neat silhouette, not to mention the ease of movement when carrying a backpack.For example, I don't always wear a hood, so I designed it so that the collar stands up when the hood is removed, and I was very particular about determining the height.The shape of the hood was neither too small nor too large, and we repeated trial and error to determine the balance.Gator also attaches rubber to the tail so that it does not shift for a long time, and it is a lightweight and water-repellent stretch material.It is harder to get wet and easier to move.Above all, I thought about where to put the transceiver in the pocket, protect the electronic device in a harsh environment, and operate it quickly, and put it in a position that does not interfere with the mobile device, so I took a lot of time to update it.
AK457 GUIDE JACKET
Size: XS, S, M, L, XL
Color: Baby Blue, Neon Pink, True Black
Price: ¥ 89,000
AK457 HI-TOP PANT
AK457 is half bib pants.The big bib on the front panel is bulky and I find it difficult to move, so I decided to go halfway from the beginning.Half bibs do not tighten the waist tightly, and by using a mesh material on the back, there is no stress on the wearing feeling and it is very easy to move.Also, considering that pants can be used on split boards and skis, the durability is also strengthened by adding reinforcements.Flaps are attached to the buttocks for convenience in case of emergency, and all of them are designed for various situations, resulting in very easy-to-use pants.
AK457 HI-TOP PANT
Size: XS, S, M, L, XL
Color: Baby Blue, True Black
Price: ¥ 76,000
PACKABLE DOWN
Even if you don't think you need to wear it now, putting it in your backpack will dramatically change your adaptability to temperature changes.Moreover, it is surprisingly light and compact.Even when you get on the lift, it greatly reduces the coldness of your buttocks.Also, by wearing shorts on top of fleece pants, it's not unnatural to move around in that style.I also like the fact that I can go back and forth in the snowy mountains.It's easy to move and you can relax a lot.
AK457 PACKABLE DOWN JACKET(Up)
Size: S, M, L, XL Price: ¥ 28,000
AK457 PACKABLE DOWN SHORT(under)
Size: S, M, L, XL Price: ¥ 25,000
Episode of the birth of HI NECK FLEECE
The first design was a full-faced fleece like a balaclava.It would be hot if I brought it to New Zealand at the test stage (laughs).I'm a Beanie sect, so I didn't need the top, and while thinking about the position with the front as it was, I used scissors to cut the top on the spot.Just like the back is held down with a goggle belt.So I put on a beanie and got the right shape.When it's hot, you can lower your mouth.A stressless item was born like this.
BASE LAYER HI NECK FLEECE
Size: S, M, L, XL
Price: ¥ 18,000
AK457 LW JACKET
At first, it was made a little tighter as a spring jacket, but now it has a silhouette with a little extra space so that it can also be used as a rain jacket.However, even this jacket can be used as the original function of the outerwear. The big difference from GUIDE JACKET is that the parts corresponding to the equipment are omitted and the wear itself is lightened.Therefore, LW JACEKT is a light, easy-to-move, and very easy-to-use item when skiing on the slopes.
AK457 LW JACKET
Size: XS, S, M, L, XL
Price: ¥ 79,000
Backcountry scene and clothing colors
Black is the basic item for all AK457 items, but we always have one or more colorful items in our lineup for outerwear used in the backcountry.Because of my job as a guide, it is necessary for the tour participants to always confirm my position, so the colors that stand out in the snowy mountains are useful.Especially on a day when gas is in the snowy mountains, it is useless unless the color is quite conspicuous.I change the color every year, but this season I have Baby Blue and Neon Pink, and this color is decided by Hiroshi Fujiwara.
Advice for spending time in the snowy mountains comfortably
The first is to get information about the condition of the day.It's not just about the moment you start to slide, it's about predicting all the time you'll spend in the snowy mountains.Of course, the temperature changes a lot, so be sure to carry a layering item that can adapt to the change, and a spare layering item that can handle the change if the range of the change increases.First of all, it is important to select clothing that has a wide range of response to changes in temperature and that is highly reliable.The more severe the condition, the greater the difference in the equipment will be returned to you.
AK457 x Masanori Takeuchi
Masanori Takeuchi, a legendary rider who has been at the top of the domestic contest scene since the latter half of the 1980s, has had sessions with world-class riders, and has been leading the domestic snowboarding scene along with the riding scene.Hikari produced Hara CAT TOUR, and while communicating the charm of backcountry snowboarding himself, he has been involved in the development of Burton's Family Tree, including AK457, making use of his abundant experience. AK457 is a brand like an alter ego who is particular about the details from Takeuchi's abundant experience.Because it is a product that has been elaborated in the harsh environment, it should be a powerful ally that will make the most of your snowboarding life.
