You probably know Arksen for their adventure-ready boats and off-road vehicles — big, capable bits of kit built for disappearing into the wild without a trace. But they’re not just about machines. They’ve quietly been building a range of apparel with the same mindset: functional, understated, and built for adventure.
Heading up the apparel side of things is a man called Simon – a designer with serious experience who now spends his time thinking about how to make jackets that can handle everything from an Arctic blast to a windy dog walk in the Peak District. We caught up with him to chat about everything technical design, responsible manufacturing and why simplicity says more than a thousand toggles ever could.
Hi Simon, how are you, and would you tell us a little bit about what you do at Arksen?
I’m good, thanks for having me, we’re big fans of Proper here at Arksen! Basically, I head up design for Arksen Apparel, where the focus is on creating high-performance garments that reflect the brand’s ethos of purposeful adventure. I’m involved in everything from conceptualising the collection, design, development, material sourcing etc, right through to product testing and refinement.
Pretty well involved then – how would you describe the mission behind Arksen Apparel, and how does it sit alongside the brand’s work in marine and off-road engineering?
The mission is really about enabling meaningful exploration — gear that’s functional, responsible, and built for the long haul. Just like Arksen’s marine and overland vehicles, our apparel has the uncompromising durability to withstand serious environments, but also has a considered design consciousness that allows it to transition seamlessly into everyday life.
You’ve somehow managed to design a range that could function on a North Pole expedition or a quiet hike in the Lakes. How do you approach the balance between extreme capability and everyday wearability?
It’s a process that involved constant tension, but ultimately a rewarding one. We always design with real-world utility at the core, but we strip away excess. If something works in an extreme context, it should feel intuitive and unrestrictive in daily life too. That duality is baked into the entire process from the start.
There’s also clearly a technical edge to the pieces – laser-cut vents, recycled fabrics, subtle technical detailing. What drives those design decisions, and how deep into the techiness do you go?
We go deep as deep as possible….Every detail has to justify its place. The laser-cutting, for instance, reduces bulk and allows precise ventilation. Using recycled fabrics and fills isn’t just about pure sustainability anymore — they perform better than ever now and have become the standard at our level. We balance innovation, performance and environmental responsibility across everything we do.
A lot of the gear has quite a minimal design language. What does this clean aesthetic come from?
We believe in restraint. A minimal aesthetic reflects clarity of purpose. If the functionality is built in intelligently, you don’t need gimmicks. We’d rather the garment speaks quietly through its materials, silhouette and detailing than shout about its capabilities.
Arksen’s broader ethos is about exploration, conservation, and responsible adventure. How does that inform your design approach to clothing?
It’s central. Crucial. We think about longevity, repairability, and how a product earns its place in someone’s life. We want pieces that encourage people to go further — but also to tread lighter. Considered design and product development becomes our way of enabling more conscious journeys for the end user, both physically and philosophically. Very Zen.
I’m assuming you’ve worked for a few different brands as a designer – what feels different or distinctive about designing for Arksen?
Yes, I cut my teeth at Musto – a performance-driven sailing brand, and also led the design team at Penfield, designing heritage-inspired outdoor pieces, but Arksen is more mission-driven than anywhere I’ve worked before. There’s no trend-chasing – everything is about utility, story, and integrity. And because we’re relatively small, there’s real creative freedom to innovate and collaborate closely with some of the world’s most respected engineers and explorers.
How do you see Arksen’s apparel contributing to the larger conversation around sustainable design and responsible manufacturing?
We’re a small player, but we want to prove that technical apparel can be built with purpose and accountability from the ground up — sourcing better, designing longer-lasting products, and removing excess from the system. Our goal is to show what’s possible when performance and planet aren’t in opposition.
Do you ever consult an archive or take inspiration from other garments when designing Arksen’s products?
Definitely — I look at vintage expedition gear, military surplus, old alpine kit. There’s so much ingenuity in historical garments, especially in how they solved problems with limited resources. Our founder, Jasper Smith, has sailed, swum, climbed and skied just about everywhere on the planet, so his personal collection of tried and trusted kit is the final magic ingredient. However, we also take cues from the natural world and our industry-leading fabric and manufacturing partners – so the archive is both analogue and future-facing.
Who do you imagine wearing Arksen’s gear? Is there a specific user you have in mind, or is it more about versatility across contexts?
We design for a wide spectrum – from expedition leaders to everyday adventurers. It’s less about demographics and more about mindset: curious, conscious people who value function, durability and design and have an appetite for clothing that adapts across a broad span of activities
How involved are you in the real-world testing of the pieces? Do you get feedback from people out in the field, or is it more studio-based?
We do both. We test ourselves, but we also work with ambassadors, guides, marine crews, and elite individuals who really put things through their paces. That feedback loop is gold – it keeps us honest and grounded in the realities of end-use.
Are there materials or technologies you’re especially excited about using more in future collections?
Yes – bio-based nylons, mono-fabric construction, closed-loop recycling systems, and advanced weaves that blend durability with low environmental impact. We’re also exploring and introducing modularity and adaptable layering systems that could reduce how much people need to own.
Given Arksen’s background in yacht design and adventure vehicles, are there any shared design languages or principles across categories that influence the apparel side?
Definitely. There’s a shared emphasis on endurance, efficiency, and intentionality. In yacht design, everything has a purpose – it’s the same with garments. We’re always thinking: can we reduce weight, increase utility, simplify without compromising?
Do you see Arksen evolving toward a larger lifestyle offering, or is the focus staying tightly on purposeful, technical garments?
Purpose will always be at the core, but I think lifestyle and utility can absolutely coexist. We’re not interested in becoming a fashion brand, but we do want our gear to feel wearable across a whole day, whether you’re on deck, up a mountain or down the pub!
Three very important components of a fulfilling lifestyle. What do you think sets Arksen apart from other technical or outdoor apparel brands emerging right now?
The simple fact is that Arksen is the world’s only 360 degree adventure brand – no-one is doing what we are doing and I think that gives us our clarity of purpose on apparel. We’re not trying to be everything to everyone. In essence, we focus on functionality, responsible materials, and timeless design. There’s no hype — just well-built gear that’s quietly capable.
Do you have a favourite item you’ve worked on while at Arksen?
Probably our Expedition Parka launching for AW25 – it’s an unbelievably technical piece of survival gear. It sums up what we aim to do a the extreme end of our product range.
Very excited to see that. How closely do you work with Jasper when designing new products and ranges?
Very closely. Jasper brings a huge amount of vision and clarity, especially when it comes to purpose and real-world utility. He’s been in enough extreme environments to know what matters and what doesn’t. That perspective is invaluable in shaping each range.
And lastly – if someone picks up a jacket or pair of trousers from this range, what do you hope they notice about it after a few months of wear?
That it’s become part of their rhythm — something they instinctively reach for. I’d hope they notice how well it’s held up, how it’s adapted to different moments, and that it feels even better with time. Arksen apparel should age with grace and purpose – the epitome of good design.
Cheers, Simon, nice chatting with you.
To see what Simon & Arksen have been up to, visit here.
