686 was founded in 1992 by Michael Akira West while he was a college student in Southern California. Influenced by skateboarding, snowboarding and the crossover between mountain and city life, the independently operated brand has spent more than three decades developing technical outerwear and introducing clever innovations designed around how riders actually use their gear.

Why we carry it at OVAP: 686 hits a sweet spot between serious technical performance and modern snowboard style. It’s especially well suited to skiers and snowboarders who spend a lot of days outside, appreciate thoughtful features, and want outerwear that performs on the hill without looking overly technical off it.

686

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