Arc'teryx is bringing Indigenous heritage to the forefront of technical outerwear with its latest Walk Gently collection. Designed by Cole Sparrow-Crawford, a member of the Musqueam Nation, the 2026 'Salish Winter' capsule draws inspiration from traditional weaving, hide tanning, and winter harvesting practices, translating generations of cultural knowledge into contemporary outdoor apparel.
The six-piece, gender-neutral collection includes the $1,000 Dekoi Jacket, featuring deer-fur-inspired GORE-TEX, alongside the insulated Mutton Jacket, named after a Salish Woolly Dog whose fur was historically used in weaving. Other highlights include relaxed Adze Pants, winter-ready Konseal Trek Boots, a cedar-print technical shirt, and a knitted toque honoring Indigenous weaver Selisya Charlie.
Launched October 21, the collection reinvests profits into the Walk Gently platform and Indigenous communities, demonstrating how outdoor brands can use contemporary design to celebrate cultural heritage while supporting the communities behind it.
What's Driving This Trend
- Heritage Technical Apparel
- Cultural craft traditions translated into performance materials reveal white-space for outdoor products that combine advanced utility with deeper storytelling.
- Community-reinvested Collections
- Profit-sharing models tied to source communities create differentiated brand value while addressing growing expectations for ethical cultural collaboration.
- Gender-neutral Outdoor Design
- Inclusive silhouettes and unisex product systems point to new merchandising opportunities beyond traditional men’s and women’s outdoor categories.
Who This Affects Most
- Outdoor Apparel
- Technical gear brands are finding new relevance through culturally grounded capsules that pair high-performance protection with authentic design narratives.
- Ethical Fashion
- Collections developed with Indigenous creators signal expanding demand for fashion systems built around attribution, reciprocity, and community benefit.
- Performance Textiles
- Material innovation inspired by natural fibers, weaving, and heritage practices suggests fresh directions for weatherproof fabrics with symbolic and functional appeal.
