We’ll never forget our first sleep-away camps in the 1990s. There were the midnight feasts and exciting new friendships. There were the backpacks that were bigger than us, pants that seemed to have a million pockets and warm, fuzzy fleeces for chilly treks on the poorly named Sunshine Coast. Oh, and then there were the lice checks.
The friendships have died off and, thankfully, so have the lice, but we do miss those be-pocketed pants. So we were stoked to see that outdoor specialist Mountain Equipment Company (MEC) is bringing back an assortment of designs from its archives. The famous Rad Pants are back, with thigh pockets that once accommodated your Discman and now fit your phone. These days, they’re made from Bluesign material—sustainable and with a lower impact on the environment—and they come as shorts, too. The Klettersack dates back to 1979 and is the perfect backpack for hauling ropes and crampons—or candy for that feast. It’s also made from Bluesign and incorporates recycled content. And the famous Cornice Jacket has been reinvented as the Berber Fleece Full Zip, with warm and breathable Polartec Thermal Pro shearling, which comes from recycled content.
Want to pass the nostalgia on to your own offspring? There’s a Two Tone Fleece and Youth Rad Pant just for kids. “The MEC Classics Collection is about celebrating the gear that’s been with us for decades—the gear that’s become our trusted companion and is full of memories,” says J.P. Roy, senior director, MEC Label. “After we shortlisted these timeless designs, we looked for the details that made them legendary, and found ways to use more sustainable fabrics. With this collection, we are bringing back the beloved pieces that our community grew up with, while also introducing those iconic styles to a new generation of adventure-seekers.” Prices range from $20 for socks to $200 for a rain jacket. For more—or should we say, s’more—info, visit the MEC website. —Aileen Lalor
mec.ca
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