Free City, Burton collaboration hits the slopes in December

Vermont-based apparel and hardgoods maker Burton Snowboards and homegrown hippy-luxe label Free City have collaborated on a handful of cold-weather outerwear pieces due to hit stores -- and slopes -- this winter.

The collection melds Burton's mad-for-the-mountain aesthetic with Free City's Malibu mellowness on a puffer jacket ($349.95), puffer vest ($249.95) and snow pants ($249.95) offered in a range of muted blues, greens and grays, emblazoned with an assortment of Free City's bold "Partridge Family"-style graphics.

The gear will be sold through Burton's flagship stores (including the 8175 Melrose Ave. locally), the Free City Supershop at 1139 North Highland Ave. and a handful of international boutiques starting in December.

-- Adam Tschorn

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Photos: The outerwear collaboration between Burton and Free City, which includes a puffer vest, left, $249.95, and snowpants, $249.95, hits stores in December. Credit: Free City Workshop

Collaboration Nation: Burton Snowboards gives 'Tron' the boot

It appears that not even the snowy mountain slopes will be safe from "Tron: Legacy" merchandise mania this winter. Burton Snowboards is selling a version of its Raptor snowboarding boot inspired by the upcoming film.

The boots are black with a holographic-style treatment on the upper part and pops of blue accent (including blue contrast stitching on the straps). Twin trails of orange zigzag across the upper cuff and side of the foot.

The result is sleek and retro sci-fi. I'm half tempted to pick up a pair for myself -- even though I've never snowboarded in my life (and I've only seen the original "Tron" once).

Although it may seem like an incongrous combination, both have their roots planted firmly in 1982.

In addition to being the year the original "Tron" movie hit theaters, 1982 was the year the fledgling sport -- and Jake Burton Carpenter's young Vermont-based snowboard-making company with it -- really hit the public consciousness.

Vermont's ski mountains began to allow snowboarders to hit their slopes that year, and it was in 1982 that the first U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships were held (also in Vermont), an event sponsored then -- as now -- by Burton Snowboards.

The "Tron: Legacy" snowboard boots are available at select Burton retailers and online at Burton's website for a suggested retail price of $269.95.

-- Adam Tschorn

Photo: Burton's Raptor snowboarding boot ($269.95) in a color scheme inspired by the upcoming sci-fi sequel "Tron: Legacy." Credit: Disney Consumer Products.

Burton unveils its Olympic U.S. snowboard team uniform for 2010

Burton, the Vermont-based snowboarding company, unveiled the U.S. snowboard team uniform for the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics today. And true to the company's street-style roots, it looks like a get-up any stylish dude in Burlington might wear on a snowy day.

The thigh-length coat, cut from high-tech Gore-Tex fabric, was designed using a red, white and blue plaid that manages to be both edgy and patriotic. It’s emblazoned with the USA team patch and an eagle-anchored crest, as well as the Burton logo. 

But it’s the snow pants (also made from Gore-Tex fabric) that will surely spark the most discussion. The loose-fitting drawers were made to simulate the look of worn-in jeans. After all, what could be more American that ratty jeans?

The uniform will be worn by the U.S. team this February in Vancouver. When developing the ensemble, Burton turned to its stable of illustrious riders, which includes top pro snowboarders and Olympic hopefuls Elena Hight, Mason Aguirre, Danny Davis, Kevin Pearce, Jack Mitrani, Luke Mitrani, Steve Fisher, Scotty Lago and Louie Vito, for feedback.

Burton is also supplying the official uniforms for the Chinese and Finnish snowboarding teams – but we’re guessing our guys will be the only ones shredding in faux dungarees.

--Emili Vesilind

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Photo: The Burton-designed uniform for the 2010 U.S. snowboard team. Credit: Burton.