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PRODUCT JOURNEY - April 2025
>> BN304 INSULATED BELAY JACKET //
Engineered warmth for everyone who lives for cold, still moments outdoors.
>> SCOPE // April 2025
The BN304 began with a simple question: what does the perfect insulated winter jacket look and feels like, warm enough for a belay ledge at –20°C, light enough for a dog walk at dawn, and refined enough for the city commute?
Our answer is a high-loft, downproof shell built around recycled nylon ripstop and a responsibly sourced insulation core. The silhouette is cut generously enough to layer over a midlayer or hardshell, with articulated sleeves, a helmet-compatible hood and deep handwarmer pockets, details borrowed from alpine climbing, refined for everyday winter use.
At this stage, the BN304 lives as sketches, swatches and a first tech pack. Over the coming months we'll prototype, field-test and iterate, sharing every step of the journey from concept to finished product.
>> THE DESIGN // July 2025
The design of the BN304 Belay Jacket is clean, functional, and built to last. We chose a classic belay silhouette that allows layering without feeling bulky. Every element has a purpose—nothing is added just for looks. Branding is kept subtle with tone-on-tone logos, so the jacket works both in the outdoors and in everyday use
The color palette focuses on muted, natural tones like navy, green, and black, chosen to stay relevant over time and easy to combine with other gear. Small details like zip pullers, adjustments, and stitching are designed for function first, not visual impact
// WHY THIS MATTERS?
A simpler design means you can use the jacket in more situations—and keep using it for years without it feeling outdated.
>> SAMPLE PHASE - WAITING FOR THE FIRST PROTOTYPE //
After finalizing the design, there’s always a waiting period. For weeks, progress is mostly invisible. Then the first sample arrives, and turns everything from idea into reality. It’s rarely perfect. Fit, materials, and details need adjustment. But that’s the point. This step matters because it replaces assumptions with real feedback—and that’s where the product truly starts to take shape.
>> FIRST SAMPLE - INITIAL EVALUATION// January 2026
The first sample has arrived, and overall, we are very satisfied. The jacket already delivers on the core idea. The fit works well, the material feels right, and the construction matches what we aimed for. It feels like a real product—not just a prototype.
There are still adjustments to make. Some details need refining, and small improvements in fit and finishing will be addressed in the next iteration. The sample uses 3M insulation instead of down feather, but it already gives a strong indication of warmth and performance.
Most importantly, the quality of this first sample allows us to move forward with confidence—and continue testing in real conditions.
>> FIELD TEST - Ã…RE // March 2026
With a strong first sample, we are able to proceed with field testing as planned in Åre in March 2026. This is where the product is tested in the conditions it is built for—cold, wind, and static moments outdoors.
One key focus is insulation performance. Even with 3M insulation in this sample, the results are very positive. The jacket retains heat well and performs reliably during low-activity periods. This gives us important validation early in the process.
// CONFIRMATION
The field test will now help us confirm durability, comfort, and real-world usability—so we can make the final adjustments before production.
>> REFINEMENT - FINE TUNING THE DETAILS //
With a strong first sample and initial field testing completed, the focus shifts to refinement. At this stage, the goal is not to change the product, but to improve how it works in everyday use.
We are fine-tuning:
>> COLOR SELECTION // May 2026
Color is one of the last decisions, but it has a big impact.
At this stage, we test different shades directly on the product—comparing how they look on fabric, in natural light, and in real use. What works on a color card doesn’t always work on a jacket.
The focus is on muted, natural tones that feel consistent with the environment and stay relevant over time.
The right color should feel natural in use, easy to combine, and something you won’t get tired of after one season.
>> DEVELOPMENT TIME - WHY IT TAKES TIME //
It has now been over a year since we started this project.
We build our products from the ground up—testing materials, refining fit, adjusting details, and validating everything in real conditions. There are no shortcuts if the goal is to create something reliable. A jacket like this might look simple, but getting it right takes time. Each step—design, sampling, testing, refinement—adds up.
For the customer, this means a product that has been properly developed, not rushed. Something you can rely on, because the work behind it has been done thoroughly.
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