Eddie Bauer BC Flyline Adaptive Ski Kit
Project Overview
The outdoor industry has a multitude of clothing options for users who want to go skiing. However, there are very few options for users who sit ski. Most ski kits don't have enough articulation and can become bulky when skiing in the seated position, and they create many opportunities for users to become unknowingly susceptible to skin sores and frostbite. The BC Flyline Adaptive Ski Kit was built specifically for sit skiers. The BC Flyline Ski Kit won Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards Product of the Year in 2022.
MY ROLE: Senior Designer - initial research, concepts and designs
Initial discovery and user research
As part of my initial discovery research for this project I was able to interview Eddie Bauer sit skiing athlete, Trevor Kennison. He was able to provide critical information and insights into the pain points and goals of sit skiers. His insights included:
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understanding the implications of jacket length when seated, standard coat lengths bunch around the stomach when seated and create too much fabric on the waist
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"the things that get really cold for me are my hips"
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preference for bibs over pants as pants tend to move around and slide down, and bibs also reduce the risk of getting snow in or down pants
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avoiding skin abrasion is important, especially zippers or any other trims on the backside of pants to prevent skin sores on butt and hips
Initial Designs
Jacket
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2 large extended chest pockets for easy access to items while skiing
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chest pocket tether for phone to prevent losing phone in the snow
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no hand pockets as they are not accessible and create extra bulk when seated
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articulated hem, with shorter front length and longer back length
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sleeve cuffs to prevent snow coming inside the jacket
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adjusted snow skirt to keep jacket in place and to prevent snow from getting up the back of the jacket
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garment articulation specific to the seated position
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elastic thumbholes on the inside cuff to keep jacket sleeves from bunching up
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double headed center zipper that allows users to adjust length to prevent bunching at waist
Bib
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bib silhouette for more ease of motion
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dual waterproof chest zippers on bibs to prevent snow/water getting into chest pockets
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hand pockets on upper thigh with additional mesh pockets inside to hold body warmers
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leg vents moved to front of leg to prevent skin sores
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no back pockets or side zippers to prevent skin sores
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garment articulation specific to the seated position
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entire body fabric is waterproof to prevent frostbite
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reduced seam construction to prevent skin sores
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no abrasion kickplate at hem to reduce garment weight
Final Designs
