The ABS Vest, an acronym for “avalanche airbag system”, is a life-saving piece of gear familiar among alpine patrollers and backcountry skiers. The innovative design first launched in 2012 as a collaboration between The North Face and German manufacturer ABS, taking an oversized silhouette to ensure it can be worn over ski jackets. How it works is pretty straightforward — the emergency high-volume airbags on the ABS Vest keep the wearer on the surface if an avalanche occurs. While the ABS vest certainly isn’t an essential item for city dwellers like us, The North Face has reimagined it as a light and chic daily piece, turning it into the inspiration for the fifth and last capsule collection for Spring/Summer 2020.
Instead of having airbags, the new capsule collection features breathable, moisture-wicking “airflow” fabric thanks to micro-pore technology. Technical features such as four-way mechanical stretch, quick-dry characteristics, a durable water repellent coating, as well as UV-protective and anti-microbial functions make sure it’ll be comfortable to wear in hot and humid conditions. The vest is also slightly slimmed down for a tailored cut, with the utility pocket design now suitable for carrying the wearer’s daily belongings.
The capsule features only four products in a mono-tone black-white palette. Aside from the ultra-lightweight unisex Airflow Vest is the unisex Airflow Utility Crew, five-pocket Airflow Utility Short for men, and the Airflow Skort for women. The ABS Vest Reimagined capsule will hit stores 11 June.