Sam Saks of Redline Outdoor joins our Outdoor Voices chat
INDUSTRY NEWS
Professional outerwear manufacturer Sam Saks of Redline Outdoor joins our Outdoor Voices chat
Sam Saks of Redline Outdoor joined the Outdoor Voices conversation to share the backstory behind their partnership, how he got into outdoor clothing, and what he hopes to bring to their business.
Indy: What was your reaction when the opportunity came to partner with Outdoor Voices?
Sam Saks: I thought it was amazing. They have such a clean, simple design aesthetic. Their approach to manufacturing is like nothing I’ve ever seen in the sportswear industry. And they have the team to execute a clear vision. Their fans are extremely passionate. It just made sense to me.
Why did you choose to join their line instead of teaming up with another company?
My love of the outdoors was obvious in the first meeting, and the strength of their fan base made it clear that this brand was going places. And honestly, I never turn down a company that takes a chance on me.
What do you think you can bring to the Redline brand?
I’m trying to bring my background in quality materials and manufacturing from the outdoors into the commercial world of consumer apparel. I have found that manufacturers are spending more and more time and energy trying to stay relevant and what’s the best they can do to stand out? Less on quality. More on innovating with materials and process to meet price points. It’s time to simplify and prioritize what is important: quality. Not a waste of time.
What kinds of materials do you use for Redline?
We are exclusively a stretch fabric manufacturer, using our proprietary stretch technology. For Redline, we use super thick-knit fabrics with custom stretch technology. We don’t use tricot, just because we love the durability of tricot but it’s not very flattering, doesn’t breathe, and it’s difficult to maintain quality.
How long does it take to make a pair of Redline Outdoor Voices?
It varies, but depending on the project, we might take 3 to 4 weeks from start to finish.
Do you envision your Redline collection expanding in the future?
I really enjoy the idea of taking classic outdoor garments and looking at them through a different lens. I think over time we will do some more color and perhaps get more technical with performance. I think there are opportunities for performance enhancements. It is still early, but we’ve found with performance that there is definitely room to improve, so that will probably be the next phase of evolution.
Do you think the weather is affecting the kinds of clothing customers want to wear?
It does get hot in the summer. We have seen the perception of performance fabrics change over the last few years and the industry has really pushed them as a cooling layer. So it’s clear to me that fashion has a significant role in this business, and I think the fitness community is demanding a product that is performance-driven and relevant to their daily lives.
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