Minimalism. It’s not a word we snowboarders are accustomed to when it comes to describing snowboard gear. Our industry has typically embezzled the latest and greatest products with must-have tech, promising to heighten our next snowboarding experience.
Which brings us to the first of our demoralising gear reviews. The Burton Futuretrust range, in its entirety. Sold in as a minimalist approach with a relaxed fit. Like sitting in an Eames chair in your undies.
The name of the range, ‘Futuretrust’ sounds like it could be a green-washed superannuation racket, but from what we can gather the undertone of this range, based on its minimalist design is suggesting some kind of future-proof approach to outerwear styles. Take that consumerism.
Traditionally, outerwear has been in seasonal rotation for snowboarders, ensuring we’re on-trend with the latest styles – a hill we’ve had to die on in the face of sustainability. So it’s props to Burton for this approach, with only 6 pieces in 2 colours that make up the Futuretrust collection. 2 jackets, 1 pant option with some softgoods to boot.
AK is Burton’s hallmark tech range, so despite its technical-undertones, the Futuretrust range isn’t going to offer you the same level of tech as AK. But all outerwear pieces are treated to 20K/20K DWR, cut from 100% recycled, smooth finish fabric with a soft jersey backer. The backer offering up a little more warmth than that of the exposed scrim linings featured in most high end tech-orientated pieces.
The pocketing is paired back, so you won’t find a dedicated slot for your Minidisc player but you will be pleased with the generous ventilation found behind the full-length outer-seam zips. An integrated cinch belt, no doubt a nod to Gramicci – keeps the pants at the waistline and where you intend them to be. The jacket offering is either the front zip hooded option or the Anorak style, which we’re particularly fond of.
The real cornerstone of the Futuretrust collection is ‘the cut of its jib’. They call it ‘drape’, but the form-factor of this range is very much inspired by that of the Japanese snowboard-style dynasty. Oversized fits and elastic-cuffed pants keep things flowing, and when fitted accordingly – you’d really be hard pressed to make anything look un-stylish in this clobber. It’s as close as you’ll come to being mistaken for Kazu.
Time to embrace dystopian edge, as the Futurerange offerings only come in shadow pink or petrol green, you could mix and match, but you’d be banished for doing so, and besides we’re liking the single pastel colour top and bottom. Whilst retailers always order up big in black, taking on this range may take a bit of ticker, but we’re backing Burton’s confidence in these colours – and going off the lookbook, their team is feeling it too.
It’s all back by Burton’s lifetime warranty and with the promise to keep you ‘Drier. Warmer. Happier. All Season Long’ … we’re really feeling the ethos of this genderneutral range. Which may seem like a loaded-sell in this day and age, but it’s really just about easing off on the cuteness factor and focusing on the overall fit and form.
With the pricing fixed somewhere up around that median mark for a quality kit, buying into the Futuretrust range is a guaranteed return of good times. Less is more right, now strip down and live like Rick Rubin.
What we be lovin’:
- Refreshing approach
- Cut and fit
- Universal, gender-neutral range. Wear what you want.
What we be hatin’:
- Inability to snowboard like the Japanese.
- Colours may be impractical as single-piece items
- No dedicated pocket for the Minidisc player.
