Mountain Hardwear and Cole Haan began selling their new ZerøGrand Outerwear collection in their direct-to-consumer channels Oct. 6 in what marked the outdoor brand's first such venture in the United States.
Conceived and designed by Mountain Hardwear’s team of apparel designers, the ZerøGrand collection combines technical materials and outerwear expertise with the “classic style meets modern innovation” ethos of the Cole Haan brand.
“This is a great opportunity to show the world more than just our technical expertise. We’re championing the idea that you can combine great performance with great style,” said Chris Harges, director of global marketing.
This blend of extreme weather protection and designer style is built on a foundation of technologies Mountain Hardwear developed for mountain sports such as climbing, mountaineering, skiing and trail running.
- Dry.Q Stretch Ozonic shell fabric recognized for its lightweight, durable and 100 percent waterproof, yet breathable elements
- 800-fill Q.Shield waterresistant down that is infused with permanent water repellency to resist moisture absorption
- Thermal.Q Elite, a proprietary synthetic insulation and the warmest synthetic insulation available
“Our designers usually solve problems to save lives and maximize experience for outdoor athletes,” said Robert Fry, global director of product merchandising and design at Mountain Hardwear. “With Cole Haan, we were presented with a different problem: how do you keep a hard-driving, fast-moving urban explorer warm, dry and protected without slowing them down or asking them to compromise style.”
Fry can be viewed explaining several features of the new line in a series of videos on Cole Haan's YouTube channel.
The ZerøGrand Outerwear collection went on sale Oct. 6 on ColeHaan.com and in Cole Haan stores, as well as limited availability through Mountain Hardwear direct-to-consumers channels in the US.
Founded in 1993 and based in Richmond, CA, Mountain Hardwear is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia Sportswear Company and distributes its products through specialty outdoor, running, and sporting goods retailers in the United States and 58 countries worldwide.
Cole Haan LLC, which is headquartered in Greenland, NH and oprates a creative center in New York City, is an American focuses on premium men’s, women’s and children’s footwear, handbags, leather accessories, outerwear and eyewear.
