We’re sticklers for anything old – old stories, old clothes, old cars. Something about objects having aged just makes them that much more captivating, they act as the best medium to get an idea about an era that has been and gone.
This obsession with old stuff is often the driving force behind why we love certain brands – due to the stories behind them and how this is referenced in modern designs, one brand we reckon executes this expertly well is KAVU.
We interviewed the creator of KAVU Barry Barr a while ago and chatted about many things, including the brand’s conception, which took place in Seattle in 1993 – what we love so much about KAVU is that you can fully get a feel for this era just by looking at their designs – relaxed cuts, good colour and lots of jacquard.
Well KAVU have made it even easier for us to mainline this nostalgia by creating a heritage range, which is full to the brim of garb that’s ideal for dressing like a ’90s Yosemite dirtbag.
So we’re going to have a look at our top picks from KAVU’s heritage collection and tell you a little bit about just what makes the item so good.
Zip-Up Throwshirt
A throwshirt is something more people should own – a lightweight & packable garment that is perfect for throwing on when the elements decide to show their teeth. KAVU’s throwshirt was first designed in 1995, rendering it one of Barry Barr’s first designs. The shirt was designed with mobility in mind and features a relaxed fit, fishtail hem and underarm gussets, which all account for a full range of movement, a feature that made it a popular garment amongst climbers.
Scrag Pant
The Scrag pant is the famed Chilliwack’s younger and more playful brother, birthed from a desire for a lighter-weight pant. Being constructed of an airy 7oz twill with a fully elasticated waist makes the Scrag the perfect pant to forget you ever put on. The built-in belt, gusseted crotch and large pockets once again made it a firm favourite amongst outdoor types – I mean just think how much trail mix you could fit in those back pockets.
Half Zip Throwshirt
Pretty much the same as the full zip counterpart, except this one isn’t.
Fleece Throwshirt
Does including three throw shirts in this list count as three separate garments? We reckon it does, anyway to call this a shirt is to sell it short, it’s pretty much a jacket. As we said KAVU’s throwshirt design was met with great popularity amongst climbers, the only issue was the stone monkeys were getting cold during the winter months, and thus KAVU created the Fleece Throwshirt. The only difference between this and the original is the adjustable cuffs and its fuzzy polyester appearance.
Chilliwack Short
The Chilliwack short is a stalwart KAVU design, it’s 7.75″ inseam and hardwearing organic cotton construction meant that a pair of Chilliwacks could and should be abused. Thanks to their massive rear half-moon pockets and built-in belt, the shorts were instantly recognisable at any crag across the continent.
Strapcap
The one that started it all.
The Strapcap was the item that created the brand – born because Barry Barr’s hat collection was rapidly shrinking when he worked on boats up in Seattle. If you indulge in activities that could see you face wind speeds of over 14mph, a Strapcap is almost a necessity. Its large rear buckle and jacquard fabric that runs around your forehead means it’d take a hurricane to sweep it off your head. Whether you’re into cycling, climbing or hiking, you need one of these.
