Built For Whatever: Inside Black Mountain’s Fall/Winter 2025 Outerwear Range (Win!)

Black Mountain does Canadian outerwear the way we actually live it—layered, weather-ready, and built to last. Their new Fall/Winter 2025 drop blends outdoor performance with everyday style, from 3-in-1 waterproof jackets to PFC-free water-repellent winter pants and an ultra-soft sherpa one-piece for teens. It’s the kind of collection that promises durability—comfort without the heavy price tag.

Join us for a Q&A with Vanessa Moreau, Senior Ecommerce Director and Black Mountain spokesperson, to hear how the brand balances functionality—style, scales sustainable materials for mass-market pricing, and designs pieces that move seamlessly from city commutes to weekend escapes. —Noa Nichol

Black Mountain is built “for Canadian conditions.” How do you translate that brief into real design decisions — from fabric choices to fit and features? 

Born from a team of passionate outdoor and winter sports experts who live and breathe Canadian weather, this brand delivers gear built for performance, durability, and comfort. Every product is thoughtfully crafted to meet the demands of outdoor living.

The new FW25 line emphasizes eco-conscious materials and PFC-free water repellents. Can you walk us through your material selection process and the trade-offs (if any) between performance and sustainability? 

As a brand designed for activities close to nature, it is essential that our products have as little impact on the environment as possible. That’s why we’ve chosen PFC-free water-repellent treatments that remain high-performing without releasing harmful chemical components into the environment or coming into contact with the body. In addition, materials like Merino wool, Lyocell, post-consumer recycled polyester, and organically grown cotton are logical choices for those who embrace the outdoors.

Your 3-in-1 waterproof jacket is a highlight. What were the biggest technical challenges in engineering a piece that’s both modular and genuinely waterproof/breathable? 

The main challenge was to design a flattering coat that maintains its ergonomic fit despite multiple layers. The outer fabric combined with a mesh lining helps maintain breathability, while the insulated vest keeps the core warm.

Affordability is central to your brand promise. How do you keep price points accessible without cutting corners on quality — especially with features like YKK zippers and hybrid technical fabrics? 

We’ve identified key elements that are essential to the overall quality and durability of our products. These serve as the starting point for all our developments, and we work closely with our suppliers to select materials that remain accessible. Our product design is thoughtful and efficient to maintain pricing competitive. While accessibility remains important, we place a strong emphasis on ensuring our suppliers uphold rigorous social standards. Ethical sourcing is a fundamental pillar of our approach.

Testing outerwear in Canadian winters is no small task. What real-world testing do you do (or have customers helped with) to ensure pieces perform in harsh weather? 

Before any of our products are released, they are tested by our mini-testers and outdoor enthusiasts to ensure they are flawless and durable in all conditions. All our fabrics are laboratory-tested before use to ensure durability that matches their intended purpose.

The collection includes teen-specific pieces like the sherpa one-piece. How do you approach sizing, durability and style differently for youth vs. adult categories? 

Our products are designed differently for babies and children to meet a greater need for durability due to more intensive use.

Storytelling and community matter for outdoors brands. How do you engage customers (ambassadors, feedback loops, field tests) to inform future product updates? 

Our community engagement is still in its early stages, but it’s an exciting priority for us. We’ve started collaborating with content creators on social media to share authentic outdoor stories that reflect our brand values. Since launching our new site, we’ve been receiving customer reviews that provide valuable feedback on fit and quality. What truly sets us apart is our mission: designing outdoor apparel in Québec that delivers technical performance and durability while remaining accessible to all Canadian families through fair pricing.

Looking ahead, what innovations or categories excite you most for Black Mountain — more technical outerwear, circular design, local manufacturing, or something else entirely? 

Continuing to evolve the brand’s products by combining technical innovation with smarter design practices, while keeping environmental impact in mind.

Win! A $500 Black Mountain Gift Card!

Congrats Cheryl W. of Nobel, ON, who will receive a $500 Black Mountain Gift Card! Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadailymedia. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.