CLIMBING APPAREL DESIGN
photo by Cerra Teng
DESIGNER PROFILE
PROBLEM I wear whatever is comfortable when I go out climbing. My pants quickly got destroyed on the rock. I have to look for more durable pants since I fall a lot.
Cotton pants got torn when it touched the rock
Torn yoga pants after sewing
Cerra Teng Novice climber but have been climbing a lot
since I got obsessed with climbing last year
RESEARCH
IN-STORE TESTING
To know what climbers - either professional or rookie like to wear, I asked for suggestions on FB group “Utah Climbers.” Surprisingly, it started a thread and people were not shy giving their opinion!
Only going testing by myself would I know if the pants fit and how I feel about different materials. I’ve tried at the Front climbing gym, REI, and KUHL.
PRANA ZION/HALLE STRETCH No. 1 climber’s favorite!
FEATURES • Roll-up leg snaps
• Streamlined adjustable waistband
• 97% Nylon / 3% Spandex
• Durable water repellent (DWR) finish
and more comments…!
Construct for flexibility and comfy.
WHATEVER IS COMFORTABLE They’re gonna be torn anyway. Just wear the cheapest thing you can find! Thick denim is ideal for crack climb.
Photo from people’s comment.
SYNTHETIC OR COTTON? Everyone has different preference. Synthetic (nylon or polyester) is more fast-dry, durable and light-weight so it’s recommended for alpine climbing. Cotton feels more comfortable. Heavier cotton, such as denim, can be more abrasion-resistant and long-lasting. Most of the climbing pants material mix with spandex.
Super lightweight Side zipper pocket
Articulated knees Reinforced fabric
Bottom hem
Arc’teryx Psyphon SL Pants
89% nylon, 11% elastane
Fjällräven Vidda Pro Trousers
G-1000 65% Polyester, 35% Cotton
La Sportiva Arco Pants
97% 7.2oz Cotton twill weave, 3% Spandex
SKETCHING Look into the details of pants construction, materials, and features and integrate into my design.
PERSONA
EMILY I S AN TRAVEL ING CL IMBER. She is always on the roa d looking fo r a new cra g or beautiful wall. She wish es to cha llenge her mind with new, co ol a nd e clect ic expe rience to broaden h er mi nd. She love s the unexpec ted a nd unfa milia r. She prefers the app are l not just comfy and dura ble but a lso doe sn’t restrict her moveme nt.
DESIGN VALUES Colorful Eclectic Surface Texture
Photo from WGSN
WILD IRIS Zipper phone pocket
Women yoga climbing pants • Stretchable and comfortable
• Fast-dry
• Durable
• Abrasion-resistant reinforcement
Butt reinforcement Stretch CORDURA 330D
Gusseted crotch Mesh 88% Nylon, 12%Spandex
295 GSM
Main body 92% Nylon, 8% Elastane
295 GSM
Knee reinforcement Stretch CORDURA 330D
Black speckles
SCALED MOCKUPS To quickly understand the structure of the pants, I did small mockups based on my yoga pants from super simple to more ergonomically-designed.
1st attempt
2nd attempt
3rd attempt
THANK YOU! Welcome any comments! Please contact Cerra Teng cerrateng@gmail.com 626-877-8490 cerrateng.com