Collaborations represent different things for different brands. Some collabs are fun, and full of energy. Some are functional. Some are bad logo slaps, and then others are deadly, deadly serious. And you’ve only got to take one look at the mental campaign imagery from the new 66°North & District Vision collab to understand it falls firmly in that latter category.
The two brands have crossed paths – one hailing from Los Angeles, and the other from Iceland – to produce an absolute behemoth of a collection that looks like it’s prepared to take on just about anything that the natural world could possibly throw at you. Blizzards, cyclones, tornadoes, the lot.
66°North brings nearly a century of Arctic-hardened experience to the partnership. Founded in 1926, the Icelandic brand built its reputation kitting out fishermen hauling tuna through subarctic seas – gear designed to survive when survival wasn’t optional. District Vision has taken that relentless approach to performance and reimagined it with understated elegance – clean lines, tonal colourways, and beautifully proportioned silhouettes.
The capsule’s winter running essentials are a perfect example of the synergy between the pair. Balaclava tops, tights, and shorts have been cut from recycled Italian 4-way stretch fabrics, stitched with bold contrasts that echo Iceland’s raw landscapes.
The obvious standout from the collection (at least in our big coat-obsessed minds) is a massive down puffer inspired by a custom 66°North 2013 suit worn by the first Icelander to summit the north face of Everest – a subtle, yet unmistakable nod to 66°North’s expedition credibility.
Obviously, eyewear is also a focal point of the collab, and in true District Vision fashion, it has been treated as a genuine performance tool. The Keiichi and Eiichi frames come with shatterproof polycarbonate lenses, oleophobic and anti-reflective coatings, and D+ Photochromic technology – a load of technical jargon that boils down to one simple truth: very good sunglasses that will keep your eyes protected no matter how angry the sun gets.
Rounding out the capsule are pieces that continue to marry heritage and technical innovation. The Tindur Down Hat carries eyewear securely while insulating against the cold, and ultra-insulated trousers look as if they could shrug off Arctic extremes with ease. Every element is designed with a single goal: to survive. And obviously to look good as well.
It’s a serious collab that has produced some very serious results. Every item feels engineered rather than styled, designed to perform in conditions that would cause most gear (and people) to crumble. If you’re after something that blends heritage, innovation, and would get you loads of compliments from the inhabitants of an iceberg, this might just be the collab for you.
The 66°North x District Vision collaboration is available to purchase now from 66°North
