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Born in the mountains of Colorado, Ripton & Co. is a quirky and rebellious indie apparel brand founded by self-proclaimed dirtbag bike and ski bum Elliot Wilkinson-Ray. The company launched in 2019 with the first jean shorts to be dubbed technical mountain biking gear—naturally, they're cut-offs. In the two years since, Ripton has added jean overalls to the lineup, and most recently, a pair of denim overall ski bibs dubbed "Winteralls."
The brand definitely treads on the goofier side of outdoor lifestyle that's long contrasted with the hardcore, peak-bagging culture. But denim was the original outdoor fabric back when people went into the wilderness to mine and log, and Ripton plans on bringing it back, proving that jorts and overalls can look good and serve well in the mountains, too, thanks to new performance-oriented fabrics.
Ripton's original cut-off shorts—designed to allow the wearer to bend and move freely on a bike—have evolved since introduction, too. The latest iteration, the eight ounce V4 Jorts for men and women ($79), use four-way stretch denim, cooling fabric, and grease-resistant materials to withstand hardcore use. Five different colorways and two cuts improve comfort and turn heads, whether on the trail or at the local mountain town bar.
For skiers and snowboarders—and anyone else so inclined—the Winteralls ($219) are a heavyweight, insulated, hybrid-denim piece built to keep you warm even on winter's coldest days. Key features include a zippered kangaroo pocket, elastic cuffs, and extreme tensile and tear strength for top-notch durability. Suit up for the slopes, a day in town, or a cozy night in a cabin rental.
Published 12-14-2021
