Irvine, CA, November 24, 2008 — Westlife Distribution is pleased to announce the addition of Louie Vito to the 686 Global Pro Team.

Louie is a 20-year old Ohio-native who currently resides in Sandy, Utah. This past year, Louie was crowned the overall Chevy U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix series title champion. He found himself on top of the podium again two days later at The Jeep King of the Mountain Superpipe Championships in Squaw Valley, California. At the Vans Cup, Vito took second place behind Danny Kass.

Click 686 to check out the new website.

Plexus Sneak Peek

686 is at the forefront of the race to change the face of technical shell outerwear. We’ve partnered with BOA® Technology to develop entirely new innovations in the world of 3-ply technical shell apparel. For those who might be confused by all this fancy lingo, our newest brain-child is an exclusive category that focuses on lightweight pieces with minimalist design needs. What’s the translation? Less weight, lighter and better features = more fun.

Signature Levi’s® X 686 waist details

686’s technical apparel history is rooted in progressive street and mountain
lifestyles. For Fall/Winter 08-09, 686 has partnered with Levi Strauss & Co® on
a limited edition collection of men’s and women’s outerwear.

The Levi’s® X 686 global partnership has taken real denim and denim-inspired

The obligatory group shot.

Words/Photos: 686

Click here to check out the video and photos.

Picnic In The Park from 686 returns to the Midwest on Saturday, April 19 with an afternoon of spring mini-shredding, tons of giveaways, pro autograph signings, BBQ and live music!

Picnic In The Park was started in 2003 with the idea of bringing true freestyle snowboarding back to where it belongs. The Empire Collective, in collaboration with 686, Stepchild, Airblaster, Bluebird and Elm will try once again to raise the bar of progressive snowboarding here in the Midwest. Picnic In The Park prides on bringing fresh ideas to the mountain influenced by skateboarding and snowboarding’s past. Every year Picnic In The Park creates a new theme for the setup of the event. This season each feature will be unique in its own way.

Irvine, CA, March 11, 2008 — Westlife Distribution is pleased to announce the immediate promotions of three key managers. Long-time employees Doug Sumi and Jono Zacharias have been promoted to the positions of Senior Vice President of Operations and Finance and Senior Vice President of Global Sales. 686 veteran, Kristin Cusic, has also been promoted to Vice President of Marketing.

“I’m stoked for the opportunity to recognize my top management team for all of their incredible efforts,” says Mike West, president and creative director at 686, “Between the three of them, the combined amount of years spent at 686 is 30, so it was a long time coming and well deserved. Part of the requirement was that they had to ride at least the same number of days per season as their age as well as clear the gap at Bear,” continues West, ”It took Jono a few times, but now we’re all good.”

Photos: 686

On February 23, 2008 the first ever "Ladylike" contest was held at Kuhtai in Tirol. The Female only slopestyle event placed top international riders against one another exclusively for this women conceived event.

The winners received prize money and World Snowboard Tour points along with a qualification for the Austrian Masters.

Results:
1st: Conny Bleicher, Germany
2nd: Julia Baumgartner, Austria
3rd: Diana Sadlowski, Poland

ok so ive looked everywhere, ive emailed 686 and other online shops. i cant find any that carry long. when i click on the size on the options it only has like s m l xl no where to click for long. i havnt received email back yet from any of them but want to know if anyone here knows where to look. im looking at the militant, mannual cranium and shorty globals. thanks in advance

THE ACC ARTICLE JACKET IN CHOCOLATE TWEED

For the past 15 years, 686 has provided progressive technical apparel and outerwear showcasing Los Angeles and mountain-based history. It all comes full circle with the Fall/Winter 2007/2008 Crystal Collection. Some outerwear highlights feature the exclusive limited Times collaboration with New Era, the ACC Article Jacket with a tweed weave aesthetic, the After-Ride Leather Hybrid Down Jacket, and the weather resistant Herbal Military Jacket.