Arc'teryx
Encyclopedia
Arc'teryx is an outdoor clothing and sporting goods company founded in North Vancouver, British Columbia
, Canada
, in 1989. The name and logo of Arc'teryx refer to the Archaeopteryx
, the earliest known bird. The symbol is based on the "Berlin specimen" of the bird, the most complete skeleton to date.
to North Vancouver. Arc'teryx products are usually associated with climbing
, skiing
, snowboarding
, backpacking
, and hiking
-related activities.
Originally named Rock Solid by founders Dave Lane and Jeremy Guard, the company's first line of products were climbing gear. Using a heat laminate
(thermolamination) technology, the partners designed and marketed the Vapor harness
, which would become the company's most popular item. In the second year of operations, after a series of relocations and staff additions, Arc'teryx released the Bora backpack
using the same Vapor technology. In 1996, after obtaining a license
from W. L. Gore & Associates for use of the Gore-Tex
fabric, the company adapted it for its new line of outdoor technical apparel.
Top selling items in their clothing line include the Theta AR and Gamma MX jacket
s. Over the years Arc'teryx' designs have won a number of awards from Backpacker, Outside
, Climbing, Men's Journal
, and Powder magazines.
The Arc'teryx LEAF (Law Enforcement and Armed Forces) product line is composed of equipment targeted to the military
and law enforcement
markets. Although some items are simply counterparts in design to their civilian
models, other items, such as Arc'teryx's Tango and Charlie packs, are made in camouflage
patterns and constructed to military specification, including numerous PALS
-type attachment loops and fabric featuring neutral and camouflage
coloring. Due to dissatisfaction with the MOLLE gear, the United States Marine Corps
chose Arc'teryx's Tango design for their new backpack, the ILBE
.
In January 2001 Arc'teryx was purchased by the Adidas owned Salomon Group
. In May 2005 Amer Sports
purchased the Salomon Group from Adidas. The Arc'teryx head office is still located in North Vancouver, although harnesses, backpacks, and many other lamination equipment is from its own factory in Burnaby, BC, their apparel line has expanded, thus Arc'teryx has consequently outsourced to plants in China
, Vietnam
, and New Zealand
.
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, in 1989. The name and logo of Arc'teryx refer to the Archaeopteryx
Archaeopteryx
Archaeopteryx , sometimes referred to by its German name Urvogel , is a genus of theropod dinosaur that is closely related to birds. The name derives from the Ancient Greek meaning "ancient", and , meaning "feather" or "wing"...
, the earliest known bird. The symbol is based on the "Berlin specimen" of the bird, the most complete skeleton to date.
Company history
Needing a larger manufacturing space the company moved its headquarters to Burnaby in 1999. In 2005, the Arc'teryx head office moved home, back across the Burrard InletBurrard Inlet
Burrard Inlet is a relatively shallow-sided coastal fjord in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. Formed during the last Ice Age, it separates the City of Vancouver and the rest of the low-lying Burrard Peninsula from the slopes of the North Shore Mountains, home to the communities of West...
to North Vancouver. Arc'teryx products are usually associated with climbing
Climbing
Climbing is the activity of using one's hands and feet to ascend a steep object. It is done both for recreation and professionally, as part of activities such as maintenance of a structure, or military operations.Climbing activities include:* Bouldering: Ascending boulders or small...
, skiing
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
, snowboarding
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is a sport that involves descending a slope that is covered with snow on a snowboard attached to a rider's feet using a special boot set onto mounted binding. The development of snowboarding was inspired by skateboarding, sledding, surfing and skiing. It was developed in the U.S.A...
, backpacking
Backpacking (wilderness)
Backpacking combines the activities of hiking and camping for an overnight stay in backcountry wilderness...
, and hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
-related activities.
Originally named Rock Solid by founders Dave Lane and Jeremy Guard, the company's first line of products were climbing gear. Using a heat laminate
Laminate
A laminate is a material that can be constructed by uniting two or more layers of material together. The process of creating a laminate is lamination, which in common parlance refers to the placing of something between layers of plastic and gluing them with heat and/or pressure, usually with an...
(thermolamination) technology, the partners designed and marketed the Vapor harness
Climbing harness
A climbing harness is a piece of equipment used in certain types of rock-climbing, abseiling or other activities requiring the use of ropes to provide access or safety...
, which would become the company's most popular item. In the second year of operations, after a series of relocations and staff additions, Arc'teryx released the Bora backpack
Backpack
A backpack is, in its simplest form, a cloth sack carried on one's back and secured with two straps that go over the shoulders, but there can be exceptions...
using the same Vapor technology. In 1996, after obtaining a license
License
The verb license or grant licence means to give permission. The noun license or licence refers to that permission as well as to the document recording that permission.A license may be granted by a party to another party as an element of an agreement...
from W. L. Gore & Associates for use of the Gore-Tex
Gore-Tex
Gore-Tex is a waterproof/breathable fabric, and a registered trademark of W. L. Gore and Associates. It was co-invented by Wilbert L. Gore, Rowena Taylor, and Gore's son, Robert W. Gore. Robert Gore was granted on April 27, 1976, for a porous form of polytetrafluoroethylene with a...
fabric, the company adapted it for its new line of outdoor technical apparel.
Top selling items in their clothing line include the Theta AR and Gamma MX jacket
Jacket
A jacket is a hip- or waist-length garment for the upper body. A jacket typically has sleeves, and fastens in the front. A jacket is generally lighter, tighter-fitting, and less insulating than a coat, which is outerwear...
s. Over the years Arc'teryx' designs have won a number of awards from Backpacker, Outside
Outside (magazine)
Outside is an American magazine focused on the outdoors. The first issue debuted in September 1977 with its mission statement declaring that the publication was "dedicated to covering the people, sports and activities, politics, art, literature, and hardware of the outdoors..."Its founders were...
, Climbing, Men's Journal
Men's Journal
Men's Journal is an American men's lifestyle magazine focused on outdoor recreation and comprising editorials on the outdoors, environmental issues, health and fitness, style and fashion, and "gear". It is owned by Jann Wenner of Wenner Media....
, and Powder magazines.
The Arc'teryx LEAF (Law Enforcement and Armed Forces) product line is composed of equipment targeted to the military
Armed forces
The armed forces of a country are its government-sponsored defense, fighting forces, and organizations. They exist to further the foreign and domestic policies of their governing body, and to defend that body and the nation it represents from external aggressors. In some countries paramilitary...
and law enforcement
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
markets. Although some items are simply counterparts in design to their civilian
Civilian
A civilian under international humanitarian law is a person who is not a member of his or her country's armed forces or other militia. Civilians are distinct from combatants. They are afforded a degree of legal protection from the effects of war and military occupation...
models, other items, such as Arc'teryx's Tango and Charlie packs, are made in camouflage
Camouflage
Camouflage is a method of concealment that allows an otherwise visible animal, military vehicle, or other object to remain unnoticed, by blending with its environment. Examples include a leopard's spotted coat, the battledress of a modern soldier and a leaf-mimic butterfly...
patterns and constructed to military specification, including numerous PALS
PALS
PALS may refer to:* Pouch Attachment Ladder System* Pediatric Advanced Life Support* Periarteriolar lymphoid sheaths* Prague Asterix Laser System* Patient Advice and Liaison Service* Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy...
-type attachment loops and fabric featuring neutral and camouflage
Camouflage
Camouflage is a method of concealment that allows an otherwise visible animal, military vehicle, or other object to remain unnoticed, by blending with its environment. Examples include a leopard's spotted coat, the battledress of a modern soldier and a leaf-mimic butterfly...
coloring. Due to dissatisfaction with the MOLLE gear, the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
chose Arc'teryx's Tango design for their new backpack, the ILBE
ILBE
The Improved Load Bearing Equipment or ILBE is a United States Marine Corps program that includes individual load carriage equipment, individual hydration systems and individual water purification. Since the rucksack was the first part of the program issued to Marines, the ruck is commonly...
.
In January 2001 Arc'teryx was purchased by the Adidas owned Salomon Group
Salomon Group
The Salomon Group is a sports equipment manufacturing company that originated in Annecy, France. The company was started in 1947 by François Salomon and his wife and son. In 1997 it became part of the Adidas group. On 2 May 2005, Adidas-Salomon announced that it had agreed to sell the Salomon...
. In May 2005 Amer Sports
Amer Sports
Amer Sports Oyj is the largest manufacturer of sporting equipment in the world. Established in 1950, the company is based in Helsinki, Finland...
purchased the Salomon Group from Adidas. The Arc'teryx head office is still located in North Vancouver, although harnesses, backpacks, and many other lamination equipment is from its own factory in Burnaby, BC, their apparel line has expanded, thus Arc'teryx has consequently outsourced to plants in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
, and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.