Glen Plake Partners With Kühl On New Skiwear Line
The world of ski apparel is set to get a jolt of rebellious style and proven performance. Kühl, a brand long celebrated for its rugged outdoor and lifestyle clothing, is making a significant foray into the skiwear market with its new Defiant Ski Line, and it’s doing so with the help of one of skiing's most iconic figures: Glen Plake.
The partnership brings together Kühl's reputation for quality and independence with Plake's unparalleled experience and "function over flash" ethos. A pioneer of extreme skiing and a U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Famer, Plake is known as much for his signature mohawk and infectious passion for the sport as he is for his technical expertise and commitment to grassroots ski culture through his "Down Home Tour."
Plake's involvement was not merely for a promotional role; he was an active partner in the design and testing process, providing crucial feedback to fine-tune the line. The result, according to Plake, is a focus on unrestricted movement and intuitive functionality as a hallmark of the new line.
“We had to have certain things—the stretch material we designed feels like you have nothing on. The end product is something we put years of design and effort into and I think it shows in every detail,” Plake said.
Plake said. “The end product is something we put years of design and effort into and I think it shows in every detail”.
The Defiant line includes the Defiant Shell, a waterproof, windproof, and breathable jacket built with KühlFLEX fabric, designed to withstand harsh alpine conditions while allowing for dynamic movement. Field-tested in Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon and resorts like Deer Valley and Snowbird, the gear has already earned praise for its intuitive functionality and sleek, freeride-ready style.
The Defiant Ski Line includes jackets and bibs designed for both resort and backcountry use. The new apparel is built with serious skiers in mind, incorporating thoughtful details and mountain-tested materials. The collection also features a layering system, including a quarter-zip midlayer and a down insulator that utilizes cutting-edge materials like graphene to redistribute body heat.
While Kühl is still widely known for its pants and sportswear, the collaboration with Plake signals a new and ambitious chapter for the brand. The Defiant line aims to appeal to core skiers who demand durable, high-performance gear that can withstand storms and skin tracks alike. With Plake's stamp of approval, the new Kühl line is poised to be a game-changer in the ski apparel industry.
