Olympian Akira Sasaki has been wearing THE NORTH FACE's A-CAD for two seasons. Why does he call it "the clothing that lets me be myself"?
A first place that reminded us of the joy of "skating"
The North Face's Steep Series, a snowride category, was developed for skiers and snowboarders who climb and ski down snowy mountains. The core of the hard shells is the FUTURELIGHT model, made with a waterproof and breathable material that was introduced in the 2019/20 season. FUTURELIGHT's greatest feature is its exceptional breathability (the ability to allow air to pass through). This new material was created to meet the demands of global athletes for a comfortable outer layer that can be worn all day, even during intense exercise. The FL A-CAD JACKET & BIB is the toughest and thickest item in this series
FL A-Cad Jacket
XS-XL (USA model) / 4 colors / 66,000 yen + tax
This freeride model uses relatively thick fabric and is perfect for hard riding. "The large pockets are great for carrying plenty of snacks."
FL A-Cad Bib
XS-XL (USA model) / 2 colors / 60,000 yen + tax.
A thick and tough bib made mainly of 75D outer fabric. 3D design that conforms to riding posture for ease of movement and flexibility.
Akira Sasaki, a The North Face athlete who has been wearing A-CAD on snowy mountains for two years, talks about its appeal
"I've worn this one jacket for two seasons, from Mt. Tanigawa, where the weather conditions are the harshest in Japan, to the slopes. The fabric is thick, so it's highly windproof and has good heat retention. So you might think it'll be stuffy when hiking, but it's incredibly breathable and flexible, so I can wear it all day long."
Even if the location changes, the layering remains the same. Inside the A-CAD, he always wears a simple combination of a merino wool base layer and a Ventrix jacket. "I also wore the Expedition model, which is more breathable, but because it was so breathable, I had to put on a down jacket, which made layering a pain (laughs). The A-CAD is like being wrapped in a thick shell, and you can easily regulate your body temperature with just a quick zipper open or close."
A-CAD is a brand with a deep heart. It supports a wide range of styles, from the provocative vertical drops of a former alpine racer to the free-spirited lines of a playful skater. "Clothing should not be something that hinders your own skating, or expression. Whether it's physical or stylistic. A-CAD is a piece of clothing that allows me to express my skating 100% and has taught me once again the joy of skating."
Recommended layering
FL Ventrix Jacket
S to XL / 3 colors available / 35,000 yen plus tax
An insulated jacket with a FUTURELIGHT outer shell and slit padding for easy movement.
L/S HOT Crew
Long Sleeve Hot Crew
S - XL / 2 colors / 6,800 yen + tax
A base layer that is quick-drying, warm, and stretchy, and prevents sweat from cooling even during intense exercise.
HOT Trousers
Hot Trousers
S to XL / 2 colors / 6,800 yen plus tax
Technical tights made with brushed fabric that quickly absorbs sweat and prevents chills.
Akira Sasaki
was born in Hokuto, Hokkaido in 1981. He has stood on the podium three times in the Alpine World Cup and competed in four consecutive Olympic Games, from Salt Lake City to Sochi, achieving a rare feat for an Asian. After retiring from competition, he traveled around the world skiing, developing a video production concept and starting "Akira's Project." He produced the video himself and skied in Norway, Mongolia, and Mt. Tanigawa.
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