Playfulness over specs. A series that captures the freedom of skiing and snowboarding | THE NORTH FACE "LAYBACK"

The latest materials, ultra-lightweight, waterproof and breathable, high spec. Ski wear has evolved significantly over the past decade, moving towards ever higher performance. However, the longer a skier has been skiing, the more they start to notice something.

"Mastering" and "enjoying" are not the same thing.

THE NORTH FACE's "LAYBACK" series is the result of this realization. It is clothing that reminds users who have always been chasing specifications of "freedom." It is not limited to skiing or snowboarding, nor is it tied to the slopes or backcountry. "Just the right clothing" - choosing this will make your time on the snowy mountains even more fulfilling.

Build your own playground

"I guess the ball is here, and the kicker is over there?"
"I want to keep this wall as it is."

March 2025. At a ski resort in Yamagata Prefecture, snowboarder Kazushige Fujita and skier Toru Kawaguchi are laughing and chatting in front of a stream lying beside the slope.

They created their own "playground" from scratch in this off-piste valley terrain.

This session was titled "SHAPE THE LINE - Creation begins with play." They scraped the snow, arranged the layout, and poured their image onto the snow surface. With their shovels moving and their smiles on their faces, it was as if they were building a secret base for adults.

This creative session was planned by THE NORTH FACE athletes Kazushige Fujita and Toru Kawaguchi, who both wear "LAYBACK."

Fujita, who has also been involved in clothing development, produced "GORYU WAVES," a course at Hakuba Goryu featuring continuous swells of snow, expressing the appeal of skating to the rhythm.

On the other hand, Kawaguchi, as a craftsman working for the handmade ski brand "estuary shapes," has shed light on skiing culture from both the perspectives of terrain and equipment.

What the two have in common is that they are "shapers" who create value for play by shaping snow and gear with their own hands.
This "playground" creation process lasted five days. Together with more than a dozen local staff members, they shaped the playground while making use of the natural terrain without destroying it.

And after they're done skiing, they clean up the slope so that no one leaves any traces and return it to its original state. There's no efficiency, no results, and no profit. But it's this "waste" that makes the time spent on the snowy mountains surprisingly fulfilling.

"The crew this time, from riders to cameramen, were all creators, and each had their own aesthetic sense. The cameramen's team wanted to make sure that the movement during filming was beautiful, so they built stairs, smoothed out all the slopes that would be reflected, and even paid attention to the lighting of the tents. Every single one of them was a mass of attention to detail."

"The course was more difficult than I imagined, and I realized that my skills and stamina were lacking (laughs), but I was honestly happy that I was able to take photos and videos that will last a lifetime." (Fujita)

"It's an original and creative pastime, but it's also inefficient and unprofitable. That's why I was able to focus on the simple joy of skating." (Kawaguchi)

Freedom from "spec supremacy"

Until two years ago, Fujita and Kawaguchi wore RTG Gore-Tex from Summit Snow, the top snow gear manufacturer.

"The creation of LAYBACK as a line contrasting with the SUMMIT series makes me happy because it means 'my style has been recognized within the brand.'"
"What I like most is the 'just right silhouette,' which is neither too slim nor too bulky. The lightness and ease of movement that comes from it means I can wear it all day without any stress." "
The subtle difference in silhouette between the 3-layer and the padded 2-layer is also interesting, so I hope you'll try it on. I've always done things my own way, but this is clothing that makes me feel even more like 'it's okay to be myself'" (Fujita).

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"Of course, seriously aiming for the summit is one goal of a snow lifestyle. But when you're enjoying skiing with friends, unaffected by weather or snow quality, as an extension of your daily routine, like when you were a kid, extreme specs are unnecessary and can actually get in the way. That doesn't mean the Layback compromises on specs. In Japan, where snow covers even residential areas, it's just right for enjoying ski culture! It's just right." (Kawaguchi)

LAYBACK SERIES ── LINEUP

LAYBACK's diverse lineup includes shells, apparel, and accessories

Finally, here is a comment from Fujita, who has been involved from the very beginning with the development: "After leaving home, I drive, go to the backcountry, ski on groomed snow or powder on the slopes. I also go to night skiing, cafes and ramen shops. I wanted to create a standard that can be worn by people of all ages, with a balance that can cover all of these. I'm not sure if it worked out as planned, but I'm happy that LAYBACK is gradually becoming more popular." This year marks the second year of the LAYBACK series, so why not try it on in store and experience how just right it is?

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