ExOfficio will bring a new aesthetic to Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, blending urban vogue cues with purpose-built apparel in an international wardrobe for world travelers.

One of the great forerunners of fashionable travel wear, what we might today call trail-to-table or the veritable “versatile,” ExOfficio is taking an updated approach in what the company calls a new perspective toward its Fall 2016 collections. The key phrase here is “social versatility,” and the name of the collection is Urban Travel.

“Urban travel is the fastest-growing segment of the global leisure travel market, appealing to the interests of a broad range of travelers,” said Brian Thompson, general manager of ExOfficio. “The urban experience has its own set of challenges that require purpose-built apparel and gear that allows the traveler to move seamlessly from one experience to the next.”

“Urban travel is the fastest-growing segment of the global leisure travel market.” – Brian Thompson, ExOfficio GM.

So get ready for a totally new and different look at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market. “The urban travel collection offers the perfect balance of stylish versatility and high performance features for urban travel exploration. Clean silhouettes offer sophisticated and versatile options that keep comfort, performance, protection and technology at the forefront,” the brand said.

The ExOfficio design team is said to have created the collection to meet the unique needs of the urban travel experience, requiring innovative technical fabrics for temperature regulation, water-resistance, odor-reduction, mobility, durability and wrinkle-resistance for easy care on-the-road.

Details include hidden security zip pockets and reversibility for a wider variety of outfits with less to pack. ExOfficio brand reps said, “The collection offers polished mix-and-match pieces in luxurious fabrics with covert performance features that provide a sense of confidence and comfort away from home without compromising style.” Versatility that lends confidence and won’t make you stand out as a tourist is also important to the brand.

ExOfficio uses smart design to solve problems, including a new S° Warm technology for Fall 2016 using DriRelease Tencel in a new line of sweaters. Part of the Urban introduction is the Perfect Technical Performance Sweaters line, a blend of performance with polish.

“A well-made, fully-fashioned sweater has a quality, comfort and aesthetic that simply feels good and instills a sense of confidence, no matter where you are in the world,” said Johanna Rundquist, design materials manager for ExOfficio. “Combining that level of quality with technical benefits is a unique proposition that results in an urban travel performance sweater that really does it all; feels incredible against the skin, keeps you warm, dry, and fresh, plus holds shape and color for years to come.”

Men’s Termo Hoody

However, leaning into innovative designs is not a new tradition for ExOfficio, who was the first to use InsectShield in the U.S. in 2004. Try finding an Adventure Travel range without the stuff nowadays.

Keeping with tradition, the brand has looked to the future by engineering a soft, comfortable and lightweight layer for Fall 2016 that uses the traveler’s natural body heat to keep warm in colder climates.

One of the biggest challenges travelers face when packing for cold-weather destinations is the space taken up by thermal layers, in what would otherwise be a small, lightweight bag, the company said. ExOfficio’s solution is new S° Warm fabric technology, optimized in a collection of lightweight layering shirt styles for men and women.

“Our ultimate goal is to make travel easier by providing clothing solutions that the traveler doesn’t have to think twice about,” said Thompson. “They know when they shop ExOfficio, the performance is built in, and they have the freedom to enjoy the people and places where their travels take them.”

ExOfficio has been in business since 1987 and is a part of the Jarden portfolio; Thompson has been on the job since June 2014. The brand recently hired new VP of Global Sales, Bill Conradt, and has gone to direct distribution in Canada effective Spring 2016. These are just a few examples of the company’s positive trajectory. A few highlights from the ExOfficio fall 2016 urban travel collection include:

The ultimate men’s travel pant, Cano, $98, combines a classic tailored fit with performance for urban adventure. A durable cotton blend with breathable two-way stretch, wrinkle-resistance and a brushed tricot-lined waistband. Security zip pockets and durable water-repellent finish provide next-level protection.

The popular and versatile women’s Zhanna Reversible Legging, $85

lgets equipped with reversibility for multiple looks, while odor-resistance helps the pant stay fresh longer. These soft, stretchy, moisture-wicking, quick-drying and wrinkle-resistant leggings are packed with warm synthetic knit UPF 50 sun protection.

A staple to blend into any urban environment, the Men’s Triberg, $150,

casual travel “shacket” combines the look of a button-up shirt with the warmth and protection of a jacket. A knit face bonded micro-fleece is water-, stain-, and wind-resistant, while strategically placed pockets provide easy storage for phones and sunglasses on-the-go.

The Marco Blazer, $140, offers travel-friendly ponte knit fabric classically tailored to create a sophisticated urban travel blazer. The upscale double-knit can be dressed up with a sweater and slacks, or dressed down over a tee and jeans. Durable water-repellent finish provides protection from unexpected weather, and Silvandur anti-microbial treatment keeps it smelling fresh for lengthy trips.

The London-style women’s trench coat, Emei, $200, is waterproof, breathable and soft for moving around the city… plus fully seam-sealed with DWR Teflon Shield+ finish for added protection in unexpected weather. Thoughtful details like contoured sleeves to cover the back of the hand and a packable hood with a covert hood cinch that lays flat combine functionality with urban styling.

The comfort of a sweater meets technical performance in the women’s Milena Hoody Tunic, $130, creating a refined urban alternative to traditional performance fleece or wool. Using a proprietary DriRelease TEencel 12-gauge knit, this sweater feels great against the skin, wicks moisture, reduces odor and holds shape and color for many seasons to come. Unlike most sweaters, it dries out overnight.

The men’s Termo Hoody, $85, is a silk-like layer that works with the body’s natural heat to stay up to 5°F warmer in cold temperatures. S° Warm technology absorbs moisture and keeps heat in, (keeping the wearer up to 5-degrees warmer). Silvadur anti-microbial treatment keeps the garment fresh and wearable for longer, which also reduced the amount of apparel travelers need to pack.