SPRING / SUMMER 2O13
ISSUE O2
A E TH E R A P PAR E L.COM
JOURNAL OUT D OOR A DV ENTUR E, UR BA N E XPLORAT ION , AN D IN N OVAT IVE D E SIGN
O4
O6
O7
O8
1O
MAKING OF
ROUNDUP
GEAR SPOTLIGHT
FIXING THE ROPES
DESTINATION
THE SKYLINE
URBAN BIKE SHELVES
ORU KAYAK
BEVERLY JOHNSON
PERUVIAN AMAZON
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AETHER APPAREL
AETHER JOURNAL
From the mountain slopes to the city streets, Aether Apparel combines technical performance with a clean modern aesthetic.
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C ANYON MOTORC YCLE JACKET
A E T H E R A P PA R E L . COM
O4 / BEHIND THE SCENES
MAKING OF
THE SKYLINE
As the slopes close for the season, many of us at Aether turn our minds to motorcycle riding. From off-roading in the desert to making long hauls up the coast, finding great places to ride has never been a problem for us in California. However, when buying riding gear, we’ve found our options to be far more limited.
While we aren’t fans of the gaudy graphics and neon color-blocking associated with most motorcycle gear, we’re also not foolish enough to think a “motoinspired” denim jacket is adequate protection. So when we’re buying riding gear we swallow our pride, buy the hideous—yet functional—gear, and hope nobody we care about sees us while we’re out. Still though, it’s frustrating to spend so much money on clothing we technically need, but aesthetically don’t want. This got us thinking about making a motorcycle jacket of our own, one that would combine advanced protection with a more refined style. It was the beginning of a journey that ultimately led to creation of the Skyline.
remains matte-black under normal lighting conditions. Once we got our first prototype back from the factory, we couldn’t wait to take it out on the road. We received a few compliments on it while riding around Los Angeles, but the true test came during our photo shoot in Iceland. Tearing down dirt roads and fording frigid streams, the Skyline took the elements in stride. With its refined style and rugged durability, the Skyline is prepared for wherever the open road may lead. The Skyline ($65O) is now available at aetherapparel.com.
The first step was to track down the right fabric, which we found in a uniquely engineered Japanese Field Nylon. This heavy-duty 3-layer fabric is highly abrasion resistant, fully waterproof, and surprisingly breathable. For protective padding we partnered with D3O®, the industry leader in shock-absorbing body armor. D3O® pads are malleable when handled at slow speeds, but tighten upon impact to absorb energy. Nothing protects better or fits as well as D3O® pads. Designed for the specific ergonomics of motorcycle riding, the Skyline has been constructed with articulated elbow and shoulder paneling. A two-way front zipper allows the wearer to adjust how the bottom hem sits while seated. Pit zip vents let cool air enter the jacket, while back vents allow it to pass through. The exterior chest pockets are lined with mesh and can be opened for additional airflow as well. For riding at night, JRC Reflex® reflective strips and piping have been incorporated into the collar and along the shoulder seams. This innovative material reflects bright white when lit by headlights, but
3-LAYER ABRASION-RESISTANT JAPANESE FIELD NYLON SHELL
D3O® SHOCK-ABSORBING PADS AT SHOULDERS, ELBOWS & BACK
JRC REFLEX® MATTE-BLACK REFLECTIVE STRIPS & PIPING
WATERPROOF PIT ZIP VENTS FOR AIR INTAKE
A E T H E RA P PA RE L .C OM
O4 / BEHIND THE SCENES
MAKING OF
THE SKYLINE
As the slopes close for the season, many of us at Aether turn our minds to motorcycle riding. From off-roading in the desert to making long hauls up the coast, finding great places to ride has never been a problem for us in California. However, when buying riding gear, we’ve found our options to be far more limited.
While we aren’t fans of the gaudy graphics and neon color-blocking associated with most motorcycle gear, we’re also not foolish enough to think a “moto-inspired” denim jacket is adequate protection. So when we’re buying riding gear we swallow our pride, buy the hideous—yet functional—gear, and hope nobody we care about sees us while we’re out. Still though, it’s frustrating to spend so much money on clothing we technically need, but aesthetically don’t want. This got us thinking about making a motorcycle jacket of our own, one that would combine advanced protection with a more refined style. It was the beginning of a journey that ultimately led to creation of the Skyline.
Once we got our first prototype back from the factory, we couldn’t wait to take it out on the road. We received a few compliments on it while riding around Los Angeles, but the true test came during our photo shoot in Iceland. Tearing down dirt roads and fording frigid streams, the Skyline took the elements in stride. With its refined style and rugged durability, the Skyline is prepared for wherever the open road may lead. The Skyline ($65O) is now available at aetherapparel.com.
The first step was to track down the right fabric, which we found in a uniquely engineered Japanese Field Nylon. This heavy-duty 3-layer fabric is highly abrasion resistant, fully waterproof, and surprisingly breathable. For protective padding we partnered with D3O®, the industry leader in shock-absorbing body armor. D3O® pads are malleable when handled at slow speeds, but tighten upon impact to absorb energy. Nothing protects better or fits as well as D3O® pads. Designed for the specific ergonomics of motorcycle riding, the Skyline has been constructed with articulated elbow and shoulder paneling. A two-way front zipper allows the wearer to adjust how the bottom hem sits while seated. Pit zip vents let cool air enter the jacket, while back vents allow it to pass through. The exterior chest pockets are lined with mesh and can be opened for additional airflow as well. For riding at night, JRC Reflex® reflective strips and piping have been incorporated into the collar and along the shoulder seams. This innovative material reflects bright white when lit by headlights, but remains matte-black under normal lighting conditions.
3-LAYER ABRASION-RESISTANT JAPANESE FIELD NYLON SHELL
D3O® SHOCK-ABSORBING PADS AT SHOULDERS, ELBOWS & BACK
JRC REFLEX® MATTE-BLACK REFLECTIVE STRIPS & PIPING
WATERPROOF PIT ZIP VENTS FOR AIR INTAKE